SchoolScoresWayland Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of INSPIRATION TRUST
Merton Road, Watton, Thetford, IP25 6BA
01953 881514 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 11 July 2023.
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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
106 pupils in this year group.
63% — 18 points above the Norfolk average, and 18 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 63% | 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. | 52 | 45.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.9 | 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.
102 pupils in this year group.
88% — 4 points below the Norfolk average, and 4 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. | 88% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 24% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 2% | 7% | 13% |
| Further education college | 55% | 43% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 88% |
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?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 137 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 140 |
| Of those, offered a place | 134 (96%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 167 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.1 · 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 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.7% | 25.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 72% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0% | 4.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 11% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7% | 14.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.0% | 12.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Lower than 89% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.6% | 8.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Lower than 92% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4% | 23.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Lower than 44% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2 | 21.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Lower than 52% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.6% | 6.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.18% | 0.32% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 69% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.7 | 17.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3 | 11.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Thetford. Higher than 2% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 3.1% | 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 Wayland Academy's Ofsted rating?
Wayland Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 11 July 2023.
How did Wayland Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 63% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 18 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Wayland Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 140 families put Wayland Academy as their first choice for 137 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 134 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 137949.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.