Harpley CofE VC Primary School
King's Lynn, PE31 6DY · Norfolk · primary school
Check the area around this school
269th 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 — 0.3/10 against 3,495 of them, against 0.7/10 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 | 33.0 · 4 | 40% | 0.17 |
| Ofsted | 6 | 35% | 0.20 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Harpley CofE VC Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 0.0% reached the higher standard, 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 (0.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 50 pupils against a stated capacity of 56. 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 core subjects? What specific interventions are in place to help children reach the higher standard? How does the new inspection framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Harpley CofE VC Primary School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils feel safe and enjoy positive relationships with staff, noting that attendance is improving and inclusion is a strength. However, academic achievement remains below expectations, with too few pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics by the end of Year 6. Leaders are working to address inconsistencies in teaching and curriculum implementation to help pupils reach their full potential.
Strengths
- Inclusion is praised as a strength, with quick identification of needs for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and effective support plans.
- Behaviour is positive, with rare incidents of poor behaviour and a culture where pupils feel safe and staff create "caring relationships".
- Attendance is improving, with leaders taking "suitable action" to tackle persistent absence and monitor attendance closely.
- Personal development is broad and purposeful, with effective pastoral work supporting pupils’ wellbeing, resilience, and character.
- Disadvantaged pupils are fully included in school life and are starting to make better academic progress.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must train staff to teach the curriculum with greater consistency and clarity, particularly in subjects where the curriculum is less developed.
- Staff need to provide more precise and timely checks on pupil work to address gaps in key knowledge, such as letter formation and sentence construction.
- Governors should be more rigorous in challenging school leaders on key improvement priorities, including curriculum implementation and achievement.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 29% |
| 2024/25 | 33% |
| 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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