SchoolScoresSwaffham Meadow Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Part of SAPIENTIA EDUCATION TRUST
4 Sporle Road, Swaffham, PE37 7HL
01760 721330 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Inadequate at the inspection that started on 7 February 2024. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
Category of concern: Serious weaknesses.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Inadequate |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Early years | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
24 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Norfolk comparisons use the 191 of its 343 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 152 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 Joint 172nd highest of 191 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 5% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 91% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 171st highest of 191 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 5% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 91% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 181st highest of 191 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 2% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58% | 84% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 22 parents who had raised a concern Joint 157th highest of 183 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 7% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 59% | 77% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 186th highest of 191 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 2% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 54%said yes | 85% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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), 2024/25
15 pupils in this year group.
0% — 56 points below the Norfolk average, and 62 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 56% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 5% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 27% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 0% | 66% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 13% | 69% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 98 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 94 | 103 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 15 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 3 |
| Of those, offered a place | 3 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 13 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.4 · 2025: 0.1 · 2026: 0.2
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.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 4 state primary schools in Swaffham. Higher than 78% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 38.2% | 23.9%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 4 state primary schools in Swaffham. Higher than 97% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.1% | 4.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 4 state primary schools in Swaffham. Higher than 78% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 19.1% | 15.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 4 state primary schools in Swaffham. Higher than 51% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.1% | 15.1%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 4 state primary schools in Swaffham. Lower than 0% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 10.8% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 4 state primary schools in Swaffham. Lower than 0% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 37.5% | 12.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 4 state primary schools in Swaffham. Lower than 0% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 65.2 | 5.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 4 state primary schools in Swaffham. Lower than 0% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 24.7% | 2.1% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.10% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 4 state primary schools in Swaffham. Higher than 9% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 15.3 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 4 state primary schools in Swaffham. Higher than 35% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.9 | 9.8 | 10.6 |
Comparisons are with primary 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.
Nearby primary schools
- Heartwood CofE VC Primary and Nursery School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Swaffham CofE Primary Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 41% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sporle CofE Primary Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Swaffham Meadow Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Swaffham Meadow Primary School was rated Inadequate by Ofsted at its inspection in 7 February 2024.
How did Swaffham Meadow Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 0% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 62 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Swaffham Meadow Primary School?
54% of the 24 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Swaffham Meadow Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Swaffham Meadow Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 3 families put Swaffham Meadow Primary School as their first choice for 15 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 3 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 151217.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.