Fred Nicholson School

Special
Local authority maintained
Ages 3 to 19

Ofsted: Good

77 Lynn Road, Swaffham, PE37 7BBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Fred Nicholson School is a special school in Swaffham for ages 3 to 19. It is one of the 453 schools in Norfolk. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in December 2014.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 10 December 2014, report published 13 January 2015

Overall effectiveness: Good
Leadership and management: Good

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

15 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 62 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Pupil numbers and mix

195 pupils on roll, with places for 224

Eligible for free school meals55.9%

55.9%, 29.4 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language12.3%

12.3%, 9.3 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support0%

0%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan100%

100%, 94 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Fred Nicholson School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Sheridan House School	8 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 5.6
Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School	11 miles	Ofsted: Good	Not published
Orchard Manor School	12 miles	Report card: Expected standard to strong standard	Not published
Churchill Park Complex Needs School	12 miles	Report card: Expected standard	0% met the expected standard
Kingsbrook School	12 miles	Ofsted: Good	Not published

School details

School type: Foundation special school
Sector: Local authority maintained
Age range: 3 to 19
Gender: Mixed
Headteacher: Mrs Heidi Philpott
Phone: 01362693915
Website: frednicholson.norfolk.sch.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: 77 Lynn Road, Swaffham, PE37 7BB
Local authority: Norfolk
URN: 121256

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.