Great Hockham Primary School and Nursery
Watton Road, Great Hockham, Thetford, IP24 1PBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Great Hockham Primary School and Nursery is a primary school in Thetford for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 453 schools in Norfolk. It ranks 6th of 18 primary schools in Thetford. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in March 2026.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 17 March 2026, report published 4 May 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Strong standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Strong standard
- Achievement
- Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Strong standard
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Strong standard
- Leadership and governance
- Strong standard
- Early years
- Strong standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 17 March 2026
Pupils are known, understood and well cared for at Great Hockham Primary School and Nursery. Highly positive relationships flow through the school. Pupils arrive each morning enthusiastic for the day ahead. Pupils demonstrate their love of school through their very high attendance rates. This includes pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. In lessons, pupils demonstrate highly positive attitudes to learning. This begins in early years, where children start to learn the key knowledge they need. As pupils move through the school, they build on their strong start. They successfully learn a wide range of knowledge across different subjects. They show a real thirst for learning. They enjoy sharing what they know with visitors. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve well. Behaviour across the school is calm and respectful. Pupils get along well with each other. Staff build caring relationships with pupils. Pupils are keen to meet the school’s high expectations. This helps to create classrooms where learning takes place without disruption. Outside, pupils play positively together and enjoy a range of active games. Staff trust pupils to meet the school's clear and consistent expectations. Pupils have many opportunities to enrich their learning beyond the classroom. Older pupils take on roles of responsibility with pride. They lead weekly assemblies, develop their presentation skills and contribute actively to school life. For example, pupils recently requested a new friendship bench to help make playtimes even more inclusive. They eagerly await its agreed arrival. The school stands at the heart of the village community. Strong links with the church and the local care home give pupils meaningful opportunities to contribute positively to village life. When pupils move on to secondary school, they travel through the village on a tractor and trailer, cheered on by the community as they begin their next stage of education.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should continue to support staff to provide a range of opportunities for pupils to be stretched and to deepen their learning so they can reach the higher standards of achievement more consistently.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
17 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
99 pupils on roll, with places for 117
Schools near Great Hockham Primary School and Nursery
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 57% met the expected standard |
| Caston Church of England Primary Academy | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Rocklands Community Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 79% met the expected standard |
| East Harling Primary School and Nursery | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 40% met the expected standard |
| Great Ellingham Primary School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 68% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- SAPIENTIA EDUCATION TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Helen Mitchell
- Phone
- 01953498302
- Address
- Watton Road, Great Hockham, Thetford, IP24 1PB
- Local authority
- Norfolk
- URN
- 145209
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.