Hilgay Riverside Academy
Downham Market, PE38 0JL · Norfolk · primary school
Check the area around this school
149th 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 2,045 of them, against 2.8/10 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 | 60.0 · 39 | 40% | 1.58 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 34% | 1.78 |
| 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.
Hilgay Riverside Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 60.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, 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, 2.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2022.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in Ultimate Frisbee, painting a portrait, and abseiling trips.
Getting in
The published school roll is 75 pupils against a stated capacity of 98. 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 to reach the higher standard in core subjects? What specific steps are being taken to improve attainment since the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Hilgay Riverside Academy
Overview
Hilgay Riverside Academy is described as a close-knit community where pupils are “kind and show respect for each other and the staff.” The school delivers an “appropriate and ambitious curriculum” that effectively addresses learning gaps, ensuring pupils are “well prepared for the next stage of their education.” While behaviour in lessons is calm, inconsistencies exist during breaktimes, and new governors require further support to monitor school life robustly.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “planned step-by-step” with effective assessment practices that help pupils “revisit previous learning” and understand new vocabulary.
- Reading is a “strength of the school,” with staff possessing “secure subject knowledge” and providing tailored support for those needing extra help.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive timely adjustments, allowing them to “learn successfully alongside their peers and achieve well.”
- The early years provision features “effective focused teaching sessions” that support independent practice of skills.
- Safeguarding arrangements are “effective,” with a “vigilant approach” to keeping pupils safe and detailed record-keeping.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must clarify and consistently implement “rules, routines, and expectations of how pupils should behave when not in lessons,” particularly during breaktimes.
- Trustees should provide “further opportunities, training, and support for new governors” to ensure rigorous monitoring extends to areas such as behaviour.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting that staff are well-trained to identify risks and that pupils “feel safe and know how to report concerns.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 29% |
| 2023/24 | 30% |
| 2024/25 | 60% |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of PE38 0JL, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT