SchoolScoresWells-Next-the-Sea Primary and Nursery School
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of THE WENSUM TRUST
Polka Road, Wells-Next-the-Sea, NR23 1JG
01328 710320 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 28 April 2026 , published 16 June 2026.
In short: 6 expected, 1 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
10 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
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 1st highest of 191 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 91% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 117th highest of 191 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 22% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 91% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 155th highest of 191 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 8% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 84% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 10 parents who had raised a concern Joint 123rd highest of 183 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 19% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 77% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 122nd highest of 191 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Norfolk. Higher than 20% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80%said yes | 85% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 5%). 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
30 pupils in this year group.
33% — 23 points below the Norfolk average, and 29 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Norfolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 33% | 56% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 5% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 77% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 63% | 66% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 40% | 69% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 98 | 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 | 13 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 13 |
| Of those, offered a place | 13 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 18 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 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 Joint 142nd highest of 342 state primary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 56% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 24.3% | 23.9%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 226th highest of 342 state primary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 49% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.0% | 4.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support Joint 117th highest of 342 state primary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 74% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.3% | 15.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 173rd highest of 342 state primary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 35% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.4% | 15.1%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 256th lowest of 341 state primary schools in Norfolk. Lower than 25% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.0% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) Joint 257th lowest of 341 state primary schools in Norfolk. Lower than 25% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 16.7% | 12.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 225th lowest of 342 state primary schools in Norfolk. Lower than 14% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 5.4 | 5.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 212th lowest of 342 state primary schools in Norfolk. Lower than 14% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.5% | 2.1% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.10% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 253rd highest of 343 state primary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 15% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 16.7 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 179th highest of 343 state primary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 30% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 199th highest of 256 state primary schools in Norfolk. Higher than 25% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 5.9% | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is Wells-Next-the-Sea Primary and Nursery School's Ofsted rating?
Wells-Next-the-Sea Primary and Nursery School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 28 April 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 6 expected, 1 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did Wells-Next-the-Sea Primary and Nursery School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 33% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 29 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Wells-Next-the-Sea Primary and Nursery School?
80% of the 10 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Wells-Next-the-Sea Primary and Nursery School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Wells-Next-the-Sea Primary and Nursery School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 13 families put Wells-Next-the-Sea Primary and Nursery School as their first choice for 13 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 13 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 144975.
- 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.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.