Pakefield High School
London Road Pakefield, Pakefield, Lowestoft, NR33 7AQOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Pakefield High School is a secondary school in Lowestoft for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 357 schools in Suffolk. It ranks 4th of 4 secondary schools in Lowestoft. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 27 September 2023, report published 9 November 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 27 September 2023
Pupils are proud to belong to this rapidly improving school. They are happy and enjoy spending time with each other, especially when gathering in the central atrium, 'The Street', during social times. Everyone gets on well in this harmonious school. In recent times, ambition for what pupils can achieve has increased significantly. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), rise to their teachers' high expectations. A broad curriculum with a suitable range of subjects is in place for all pupils. Pupils have the opportunity to attend a range of trips and clubs. Most pupils achieve well. Pupils' behaviour has improved beyond recognition. Pupils have a positive attitude towards learning and engage well. They work hard in lessons, and it is now unusual for pupils' behaviour to interrupt learning. The school is a calm and purposeful learning environment. Pupils are kept safe. They know that staff look after them well and are alert to any safeguarding concerns. Pupils' welfare is of the highest priority.
What the school should improve
- The school has not yet ensured that the reading and writing skills of a small number of pupils enable them to get the most out of the improved curriculum. This means that some pupils may not be able to read the curriculum materials provided well enough. Some pupils are not able to demonstrate their understanding in detail when writing. The school should ensure that these pupils are supported to develop reading skills further so that they develop into confident and fluent readers. The school should also improve all pupils' writing skills so that they are able to show their learning in more depth.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
136 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
679 pupils on roll, with places for 900
Schools near Pakefield High School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Point Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 39.5 |
| Ormiston Denes Academy | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 40.5 |
| Benjamin Britten Academy of Music and Mathematics | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Attainment 8: 44.9 |
| Beccles High School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 27.6 |
| Sir John Leman High School | 7 miles | Report card: Expected standard | Attainment 8: 44.8 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- CLARION CORVUS TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Philip Dougherty
- Phone
- 01502530750
- Address
- London Road Pakefield, Pakefield, Lowestoft, NR33 7AQ
- Local authority
- Suffolk
- URN
- 146909
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.