SchoolScoresThe Free School Norwich
Free school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Part of THE FREE SCHOOL NORWICH
Kings House, 15-17 Surrey Street, Norwich, NR1 3NX
01603 761044 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 20 May 2025, 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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
29 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Norwich comparisons use the 94 of its 142 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 48 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 | Norwich | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 70th highest of 94 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norwich. Higher than 23% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 93% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 70th highest of 94 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norwich. Higher than 22% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 93% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 58th highest of 94 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norwich. Higher than 24% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 86% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 24 parents who had raised a concern Joint 49th highest of 91 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norwich. Higher than 36% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 80% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 10 parents of children with SEND 15th highest of 24 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norwich. Higher than 43% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 73% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 60th highest of 94 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norwich. Higher than 32% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86%said yes | 87% | 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. Norwich figures pool parents at the Norwich 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
28 pupils in this year group.
46% — 10 points below the Norfolk average, and 16 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 46% | 56% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 5% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 75% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 57% | 66% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 61% | 69% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 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 about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 15 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 15 |
| Of those, offered a place | 15 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 76 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 56th highest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 49% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.1% | 23.9%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 80th highest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.2% | 4.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 117th highest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 22% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.3% | 15.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 84% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 37.8% | 15.1%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 95th lowest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Lower than 34% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.6% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 102nd lowest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Lower than 31% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 15.3% | 12.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 121st lowest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Lower than 4% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 13.0 | 5.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 96th lowest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Lower than 12% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.7% | 2.1% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.10% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 69th highest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 36% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 19.4 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 72nd highest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 35% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.9 | 9.8 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 74th highest of 115 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 38% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 9.5% | 16.7%* | 14.4%* |
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; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Bignold Primary School and Nursery 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Charles Darwin Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lakenham Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
- Avenue Junior School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Notre Dame Preparatory School (Norwich) Limited 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Magdalen Gates Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Edith Cavell Academy and Nursery 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lionwood Infant and Nursery School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Recreation Road Infant School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Lionwood Junior School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Free School Norwich's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 20 May 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did The Free School Norwich do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 46% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 16 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend The Free School Norwich?
86% of the 29 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend The Free School Norwich to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Free School Norwich oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 15 families put The Free School Norwich as their first choice for 15 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 15 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 136821.
- 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 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.