Swanton Morley VC Primary School
Dereham, NR20 4PX · Norfolk · primary school
Check the area around this school
226th 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 — 0.1/10 against 2,933 of them, against 0.5/10 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 | 21.0 · 1 | 40% | 0.05 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| 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.
Swanton Morley VC Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 21.0% 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%, 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 (0.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2025.
Getting in
The published school roll is 174 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 and numeracy? What specific steps are being taken to improve attainment in the coming year? How does the school engage parents in monitoring individual progress?
What Ofsted said about Swanton Morley VC Primary School
Overview
Swanton Morley VC Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” It is described as a “warm and friendly school” where pupils feel they belong, are safe, and are listened to. The report highlights a “supportive and nurturing community” with kind relationships between pupils and staff, resulting in most pupils achieving well.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “high quality and well sequenced,” ensuring children are “well prepared for Year 1 and beyond.”
- Reading is prioritised with a “consistent approach to teaching phonics,” allowing pupils to become “confident, fluent readers.”
- Pupils display “strong attitudes to their learning” and behave well, moving around school in a “calm and orderly manner.”
- Staff support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is generally effective, with needs identified quickly.
- Governors have a “thorough understanding of the school” and create a supportive environment leading to “high staff morale.”
Areas to improve
- Feedback on learning is sometimes inconsistent in clarity and regularity, meaning some pupils are “not always sure about what they need to do to improve or deepen their understanding.”
- Learning plans for pupils with SEND are “not always sufficiently precise,” with targets that are “too broad,” hindering some pupils from achieving as well as they should.
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 | 85% |
| 2023/24 | 80% |
| 2024/25 | 21% |
| 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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