Charles Darwin Primary School

  • Primary
  • Free school
  • Ages 2 to 11
Ofsted: Outstanding

81 Rose Lane, Norwich, NR1 1DJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Charles Darwin Primary School is a primary school in Norwich for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 453 schools in Norfolk. It ranks 2nd of 103 primary schools in Norwich. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in June 2019.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 25 June 2019, report published 10 September 2019

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Early years provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 29 April 2025

Respectful and friendly relationships permeate through the school. Pupils give a warm welcome to their friends each day, and to new pupils joining the school. Compassionate words and caring actions are in abundance. They love to celebrate the differences between themselves and others, taking great pride in the range of languages spoken in school. Pupils know it's ok to be themselves here and embrace who they are. Pupils live up to the high standards adults set each day; pupils 'SHINE' throughout the school, behaving in an exemplary manner. They have strikingly positive attitudes to their learning. Pupils consistently try their best and achieve extremely well. The youngest children in Nursery are supported skilfully to be responsible for their classroom and equipment. They tidy with gusto when adults ask them to. As they grow older, pupils continue to take great pride in their school. Wider opportunities for pupils are rich and plentiful. Pupils play an active role in the community. They do good deeds in the community, invent and sell products and improve the school as members of the pupil parliament. Pupils become mature and responsible citizens by the time they leave the school at the end of Year 6.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

58 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths81%

81%, 19 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths21%

21%, 13 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score108

108, 2 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score108

108, 3 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score107

107, 2 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

465 pupils on roll, with places for 420

Eligible for free school meals21.5%

21.5%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language44.5%

44.5%, 22.9 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support15.3%

15.3%, 0.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.9%

3.9%, 2.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Charles Darwin Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
The Free School Norwich0.5 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstanding46% met the expected standard
Lionwood Infant and Nursery School0.6 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstandingNot published
Lionwood Junior School0.7 milesOfsted: Good45% met the expected standard
Bignold Primary School and Nursery0.7 milesOfsted: Good57% met the expected standard
Magdalen Gates Primary School0.8 milesOfsted judgements: Good62% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Free schools
Sector
Free school
Trust
INSPIRATION TRUST
Age range
2 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Ms Maxine Sebire
Address
81 Rose Lane, Norwich, NR1 1DJ
Local authority
Norfolk
URN
142871

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.