The Nicholas Hamond Academy
Swaffham, PE37 7DZ · Norfolk · secondary school
Check the area around this school
47th of 53 secondary schools in Norfolk we can score. 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 — 2.4/10 against 826 of them, against 2.6/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 11 | 35% | 0.39 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 37.7 · 32 | 30% | 0.95 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.55 · 14 | 25% | 0.34 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.7 · 38 | 10% | 0.38 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Nicholas Hamond Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 29.1% 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 in 2023/24 was -0.55, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.7 out of 10 among them, against 1.4 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 710 pupils against a stated capacity of 840. 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 and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students with similar backgrounds? How does the new Ofsted framework affect day-to-day teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about The Nicholas Hamond Academy
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders have stabilised provision following post-pandemic disruption, creating a positive culture where pupils feel safe and valued. While attendance, behaviour, and inclusion meet the expected standard, pupil achievement remains low due to historical inconsistencies in the curriculum and teaching, though improvements are underway.
Strengths
- Leaders have established a "calm and orderly behaviour culture" based on high-quality relationships, with bullying quickly resolved.
- Attendance has "improved a lot," supported by effective systems that remove barriers for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs.
- Inclusion is effective; staff are well-trained to support pupils with SEND, who "typically receive the support they need" and feel a sense of belonging.
- Personal development is strong, with a "robust and well-delivered" PSHE curriculum and meaningful opportunities in sport and drama.
- Staff wellbeing is prioritised, with leaders modelling professional behaviour and considering workload, fostering a strong team spirit.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure teachers make effective checks on pupil understanding so learners progress securely through the curriculum.
- Curriculum delivery must successfully address gaps in foundational knowledge, particularly in writing, spelling, and punctuation.
- Leaders should continue raising attendance to ensure pupils do not miss valuable learning.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed, ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 35.5 |
| 2024/25 | 38.4 |
| 2025/26 | 43.7 |
| 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
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 PE37 7DZ, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT