Parker's Church of England Primary Academy
Pound Hill, Saham Toney, Thetford, IP25 7HPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Parker's Church of England Primary Academy is a primary school in Thetford for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 453 schools in Norfolk. It ranks 15th of 18 primary schools in Thetford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 17 October 2023, report published 23 November 2023
- 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 17 October 2023
The six values of respect, hope, kindness, responsibility, strength and unity are threaded through everyday life at Parker's. Pupils are keen to show these values in their attitudes and in their relationships with each other. Pupils enjoy coming to school. They play happily in the playground, where older pupils look after their younger peers. Adults encourage pupils to work hard and aim high. Pupils feel proud when their efforts are praised. They love to celebrate each other's achievements in weekly celebration assemblies. Adults have the same ambition for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils with SEND are fully integrated in school life. Pupils can apply for leadership roles, such as being on the school council or members of the librarian team. They relish the chance to have a say in the running of the school. They know their opinions are valued. Pupils enjoy carefully planned trips that extend their horizons and enrich their learning. These include visits to a nearby wetland centre, Norwich Castle and the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. The school provides a residential trip for the oldest pupils. This helps to promote their independence and resilience.
What the school should improve
- In a very small number of subjects, the curriculum does not fully meet the needs of the mixed-age classes. Sometimes, pupils are engaged in activities that are not appropriate for what they should be learning. The school should consider how best to develop the curriculum in these subjects so that the activities and resources better meet the needs of all pupils.
- Not all staff working in key stage 2 have been trained in the use of the school's chosen phonics programme. Consequently, older pupils in the early stages of learning to read do not always receive the precise support they need to progress. The school must ensure that all staff receive the training they need to effectively support older pupils to become confident and fluent readers.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
12 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
93 pupils on roll, with places for 105
Schools near Parker's Church of England Primary Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watton Junior School | 1 mile | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 31% met the expected standard |
| Watton Westfield Infant and Nursery School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Ashill Voluntary Controlled Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 53% met the expected standard |
| St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary Academy & Nursery | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 52% met the expected standard |
| Thompson Primary School | 4 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 57% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- THE DIOCESE OF NORWICH EDUCATION AND ACADEMIES TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Sarah Disney
- Phone
- 01953881601
- Address
- Pound Hill, Saham Toney, Thetford, IP25 7HP
- Local authority
- Norfolk
- URN
- 148151
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.