Dereham Church of England Junior Academy
Dereham, NR19 1BJ · Norfolk · primary school
Check the area around this school
122nd of 281 primary schools in Norfolk we can score, 343 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.0/10 against 1,726 of them, against 3.3/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 54.0 · 26 | 40% | 1.03 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 6.0 · 45 | 25% | 1.12 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Dereham Church of England Junior Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 6.0% achieved it against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in netball, football, tennis, hockey, athletics, rounders, swimming, and rugby, and attend a residential trip to PGL. A breakfast club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 365 pupils against a stated capacity of 480. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the national median in core subjects? What specific support is available for the 6.0% who reach the higher standard? How does the breakfast club integrate with the morning routine?
What Ofsted said about Dereham Church of England Junior Academy
Overview
Dereham Church of England Junior Academy continues to be a good school, characterised by a "highly inclusive community" where pupils are "happy, kind and inquisitive." Leaders have constructed an "ambitious curriculum" with precisely identified knowledge, ensuring pupils build on prior learning and develop strong reading and mathematical skills. The school fosters a caring ethos where pupils feel safe, respect differences, and actively contribute to the local community through leadership roles and charitable activities.
Strengths
- Pupils are "ready to learn," listening carefully and discussing their work with enthusiasm while helping each other.
- Leaders have prioritised reading, enabling pupils to understand "increasingly sophisticated texts" and build a "rich vocabulary."
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) "achieve well" due to precise curriculum adaptations and meticulous monitoring.
- Disadvantaged pupils receive additional support to access the curriculum and build necessary "cultural knowledge."
- Staff find their workload manageable and value the support provided to "hone their subject knowledge."
Areas to improve
- In some curriculum areas, teachers do not present new knowledge with sufficient clarity or break it down into small stages, meaning some pupils do not grasp understanding as well as they might.
- In mathematics, pupils are not always supported to apply their knowledge to solve problems, though leaders are refining the curriculum to address this.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 65% |
| 2023/24 | 56% |
| 2024/25 | 54% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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