Docking Church of England Primary Academy and Nursery
King's Lynn, PE31 8LH · Norfolk · primary school
Check the area around this school
123rd 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 3.0/10 against 3,182 of them, against 3.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 50.0 · 19 | 40% | 0.76 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Docking Church of England Primary Academy and Nursery overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 8.0% achieved it, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (3.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2025.
Getting in
The published school roll is 109 pupils against a stated capacity of 126. 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 expected standard in literacy? What specific activities are available for children in the nursery phase? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2025 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Docking Church of England Primary Academy and Nursery
Overview
Docking Church of England Primary Academy and Nursery has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at its previous inspection. Pupils are described as happy, benefiting from "kind and nurturing relationships" with staff that help them feel safe and supported. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils enjoy learning, work hard, and attend well, underpinned by core values of "courage, curiosity, confidence, collaboration and compassion."
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, are "highly engaged," and show enthusiasm for their learning, with older pupils looking out for younger ones.
- Reading is given high priority, with skilled staff helping children develop early skills so they become "confident, fluent readers" as they progress.
- The school is "ambitious for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities," identifying needs quickly and providing precise support to access the full curriculum.
- Attendance has improved through close work with families, and staff receive support regarding workload and well-being.
- Pupils take on responsibilities such as leading acts of worship and serving as house captains, showing "considerable maturity."
Areas to improve
- Teachers must identify and address gaps in pupils’ knowledge, particularly in Key Stage 2, before moving them on to new learning.
- Staff require further support and professional development to deliver the curriculum effectively and address misconceptions before pupils tackle harder tasks.
Safeguarding
The report states that "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 | 50% |
| 2023/24 | 38% |
| 2024/25 | 50% |
| 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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