SchoolScoresValley Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 5 to 11 · Mixed
Part of UNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
Gentry Place, Norwich, NR5 8XZ
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 6 June 2023. 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.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
30 pupils in this year group.
67% — 11 points above the Norfolk average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 67% | 56% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 5% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 83% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 83% | 66% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 70% | 69% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 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 | 12 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 11 |
| Of those, offered a place | 11 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 18 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 11th highest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 84% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 43.8% | 23.9%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 97% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.9% | 4.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 9th highest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 95% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 26.5% | 15.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 9th highest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 84% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 38.3% | 15.1%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 112th lowest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Lower than 24% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.0% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 135th lowest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Lower than 6% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 23.8% | 12.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 60th lowest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Lower than 31% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.5 | 5.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 61st lowest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Lower than 33% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.2% | 2.1% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.10% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 106th highest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 14% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 16.6 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 83rd highest of 142 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 25% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.3 | 9.8 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 46th highest of 115 state primary schools in Norwich. Higher than 63% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 16.7% | 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
- Norwich Primary Academy 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 49% met expected standard (KS2)
- Clover Hill VA Infant and Nursery School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019), confirmed 2025
- Henderson Green Primary Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- West Earlham Infant and Nursery School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2017), confirmed 2024
- West Earlham Junior School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2024 · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Costessey Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
- Wensum Junior School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Michael's VA Junior School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023 · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- Chapel Break Infant School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023)
- Bluebell Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Valley Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Valley Primary Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 June 2023.
How did Valley Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 5 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Valley Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 11 families put Valley Primary Academy as their first choice for 12 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 11 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 151308.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.