The Open Academy
Norwich, NR7 9DL · Norfolk · secondary school
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46th of 53 secondary schools in Norfolk 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 — 1.6/10 against 524 of them, against 1.1/10 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 | 25.6 · 8 | 30% | 0.26 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.46 · 18 | 25% | 0.44 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 33.1 · 3 | 10% | 0.03 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Open Academy overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in May 2023. In 2024/25, 34.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 36.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.46 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 (3.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the LGBTQ+ Club, Book Club, Dungeons & Dragons Club, and Film Club, with an after-school club also available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 529 pupils against a stated capacity of 750. 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 strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds? How does the after-school club integrate with the academic curriculum?
What Ofsted said about The Open Academy
Overview
The Open Academy is described as an inclusive school where pupils are "tolerant of difference" and supportive of peers. Following a previous inadequate judgement, leaders have raised expectations for behaviour and attendance, resulting in a "well-planned curriculum" and steady pupil progress. The report concludes that the school no longer requires significant improvement.
Strengths
- Teachers provide "clear explanations" and use assessments to adapt lessons, ensuring pupils make "steady progress through the curriculum."
- Staff are comprehensively trained to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with "careful adaptations" made in lessons.
- Behaviour and attendance have improved substantially, with clear systems that are "consistently applied by staff."
- Leaders promote wider development well, including "carefully planned" careers education and relationships and sex education.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders acting swiftly to improve procedures and staff who "know pupils very well."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must continue to refine actions to ensure improvements in behaviour are sustained for the small number of pupils who still do not meet expectations.
- Leaders need to take further action to reduce the number of pupils who miss learning by not attending lessons or taking themselves out of class.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting that leaders have retrained staff and work closely with external agencies to keep pupils safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 34.9 |
| 2024/25 | 36.7 |
| 2025/26 | 33.1 |
| 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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