SchoolScoresIceni Secondary Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of ACADEMY TRANSFORMATION TRUST
Stoke Road, Methwold, Thetford, IP26 4PE
01366 728333 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 3 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
91 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Norfolk comparisons use the 28 of its 55 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 27 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 24th highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 16% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 81% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 26th highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 10% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 25th highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 14% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 54% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 50 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 20th highest of 27 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 20% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 38% | 47% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 84 parents who had raised a concern 28th highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 9% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 44% | 69% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 34 parents of children with SEND 11th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 12% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 38% | 58% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 27th highest of 28 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 8% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 46%said yes | 77% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 16%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Norfolk figures pool parents at the Norfolk schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2023/24
15 pupils in this year group.
62% — 9 points above the Norfolk average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 62% | 53% | 61% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 8% | 4% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 60% | 71% | 74% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 85% | 64% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 73% | 67% | 73% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 104 | 105 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 101 | 103 | 104 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2023/24. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
116 pupils in this year group.
38% — 7 points below the Norfolk average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 38% | 45% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 39 | 45.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
87 pupils in this year group.
84% — 8 points below the Norfolk average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 84% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 16% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 7% | 13% |
| Further education college | 59% | 43% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 7% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 84% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Norfolk. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 110 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 102 |
| Of those, offered a place | 102 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 148 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2024 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 13 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 13 |
| Of those, offered a place | 13 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 22 |
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2024 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 43% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 24.4% | 25.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 83% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.8% | 4.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 90% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.1% | 14.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Lower than 12% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3% | 8.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Lower than 26% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 28.3% | 23.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Lower than 3% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 94.5 | 21.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Lower than 4% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 20.4% | 6.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.34% | 0.32% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 76% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.1 | 17.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 54% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0 | 11.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 46% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.6% | 11.8%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Questions parents ask
What is Iceni Secondary Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 3 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Iceni Secondary Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 38% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 8 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Iceni Secondary Academy?
46% of the 91 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Iceni Secondary Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Iceni Secondary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 102 families put Iceni Secondary Academy as their first choice for 110 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 102 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 139058.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2023/24, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.