Hillside Avenue Primary and Nursery School, Thorpe
Hillside Avenue, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, NR7 0QWOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Hillside Avenue Primary and Nursery School, Thorpe is a primary school in Norwich for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 453 schools in Norfolk. It ranks 41st of 103 primary schools in Norwich. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 27 September 2022, report published 13 November 2022
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 27 September 2022
Pupils at Hillside Avenue are happy and well behaved. They make sure that any newcomers are made welcome. Children settle quickly into Nursery and Reception. Pupils have lots of opportunities to develop their confidence and language skills from the very start. Leaders have high expectations of pupils to work hard, and they do. Pupils enjoy learning. They are well prepared for the next stage of their education. Pupils have lots of opportunities to be physically active, leaders have encouraged this along with a focus on positive mental health. Pupils are musical, many play an instrument and are part of the band. Pupils are very proud of the different responsibilities they have as they move through the school, such as being play leaders and helping organise playtime. Staff have taught the pupils how to keep themselves safe. For example, currently moving safely through the areas of the building that are part of a major renovation. Bullying is rare but, when it does happen, pupils are confident that adults help them.
What the school should improve
- Curriculum plans in some subjects do not always identify precisely enough the knowledge, vocabulary, and skills that pupils should learn at different times. This means teachers are not always as clear about what learning should take place and in what order. Leaders need to ensure that all elements of the planned curriculum, including vocabulary, are clearly mapped at an appropriate timescale from Nursery through to Year 6.
- Some subject leaders have not had the opportunity to evaluate how effectively their subjects are taught. As a result, they have not been able to improve the quality of education in their subjects. Senior leaders need to ensure that subject leaders have the time and training needed to provide the guidance and support needed for teachers to implement the planned curriculum in each subject well.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
56 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
378 pupils on roll, with places for 472
Schools near Hillside Avenue Primary and Nursery School, Thorpe
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dussindale Primary School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 46% met the expected standard |
| St William's Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 50% met the expected standard |
| Heartsease Primary Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 51% met the expected standard |
| Lionwood Infant and Nursery School | 1 mile | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Not published |
| Lionwood Junior School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 45% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- BROAD HORIZONS EDUCATION TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Christopher Hutchinson
- Phone
- 01603433453
- Address
- Hillside Avenue, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, NR7 0QW
- Local authority
- Norfolk
- URN
- 143280
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.