Pakefield High School
Lowestoft, NR33 7AQ · Suffolk · secondary school
Check the area around this school
21st of 43 secondary schools in Suffolk we can score. 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 — 4.6/10 against 568 of them, against 2.9/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 41.6 · 41 | 30% | 1.24 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.53 · 15 | 25% | 0.36 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.3 · 30 | 10% | 0.30 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Pakefield High School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2023. In 2024/25, 27.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.53 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 679 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 close the gap between their current Attainment 8 and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Pakefield High School
Overview
Pakefield High School is described as a “rapidly improving” institution where pupils are “proud to belong” and enjoy a “harmonious” environment. The report highlights that ambition for achievement has “increased significantly,” with pupils rising to teachers’ “high expectations” within a “calm and purposeful learning environment.”
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate a “positive attitude towards learning” and work hard, with behaviour having “improved beyond recognition.”
- The curriculum has been “reworked” to match the national curriculum, with the English Baccalaureate promoted “at the heart of the curriculum.”
- Teachers “carefully planned” learning to build systematically on prior knowledge, using assessment to identify and address gaps.
- The curriculum is “adapted well for pupils with SEND,” who receive “effective support” from staff.
- Leadership is “effective” and “rigorous,” ensuring actions do not add unduly to staff workload while maintaining strong partnerships with parents.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure a small number of pupils develop into “confident and fluent readers” to access curriculum materials effectively.
- Writing skills need improvement so all pupils can “demonstrate their understanding in detail” and show learning “in more depth.”
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting that pupils know staff look after them well and are alert to concerns.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 39.1 |
| 2024/25 | 38.4 |
| 2025/26 | 42.3 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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