Old Buckenham Primary School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 2 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Abbey Road, Old Buckenham, Attleborough, NR17 1RHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Old Buckenham Primary School is a primary school in Attleborough for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 453 schools in Norfolk. It ranks 128th of 263 primary schools in Norfolk. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2019.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 6 February 2019, report published 4 March 2019

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

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 15 May 2024

Pupils at Old Buckenham Primary School are polite and courteous. They are proud of their school and their achievements. They say everyone makes them feel part of the school and that it is easy to make friends. Pupils behave well. They are ready, respectful and safe. Classrooms are calm and orderly because staff have high expectations. There are a wide range of activities to participate in at lunchtimes. Pupils know and understand the school's values of respect, resilience, teamwork, honesty and communication. Pupils describe their school as 'inclusive' and say everyone can play if they want to. Pupils enjoy a rich and ambitious curriculum. Older pupils talk positively about the changes at the school. They like the new curriculum and the changes to the behaviour policy. There is a focus on developing pupils' knowledge and use of subject-specific vocabulary. Staff encourage pupils to challenge themselves in lessons. This helps pupils to aim high and achieve well. Educational visits and various clubs enhance the curriculum. Pupils can represent the school at various events, including sports competitions, the school choir and trust events. Pupils take on leadership roles such as school prefects and playleaders. Pupils appreciate opportunities to suggest improvements for the school, for example decorative themes for their school library.

What the school should improve

  • A few subjects are at an earlier stage of implementation than others. The school is still refining and deciding the best way to deliver the content in these subjects. This means that pupils' subject knowledge is less secure than it should be. The school should review the implementation of the curriculum and agree on the best approach to deliver and monitor these subjects effectively so that pupils learn, remember and recall the important content.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

31 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths65%

65%, 3 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

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

Reading, average scaled score106

106, the same as the England average.

Maths, average scaled score103

103, 2 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score104

104, 1 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

184 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals16.8%

16.8%, 9.7 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language3.8%

3.8%, 17.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support16.8%

16.8%, 2 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.9%

4.9%, 1.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Old Buckenham Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Banham Primary School2 milesOfsted judgements: Good53% met the expected standard
Rosecroft Primary School2 milesOfsted: Requires improvementNot published
Attleborough Primary School2 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to goodNot published
Carleton Rode Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School3 milesOfsted judgements: Good13% met the expected standard
Bunwell Primary School4 milesOfsted judgements: Good25% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
SAPIENTIA EDUCATION TRUST
Age range
2 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Helen Mitchell
Address
Abbey Road, Old Buckenham, Attleborough, NR17 1RH
Local authority
Norfolk
URN
143135

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.