Sheridan House School
Thetford Rd, Northwold, Thetford, IP26 5LQOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Sheridan House School is a special school in Thetford for ages 7 to 16. It is one of the 453 schools in Norfolk. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 21 May 2024, report published 24 June 2024
- 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 21 May 2024
Sheridan House School is now a safe and happy place to learn. Pupils arrive having known significant disruption to their previous education. Many have experienced trauma in the past. Staff ensure pupils here re-engage with education successfully. Their attendance quickly improves. Parents and carers praise the support pupils receive. Behaviour is orderly. Pupils like gaining points for positive behaviour. They thrive in the culture of praise and rewards. When there are any behaviour incidents, these are dealt with promptly and effectively. There is not a culture of bullying. Consequently, pupils learn in a calm atmosphere. Pupils get skilful help for their well-being. They receive a range of well-planned therapeutic support, including the much-loved therapy dog. This helps pupils settle and focus on their education. Pupils benefit from the school's high expectations. They learn what they need to be ready for their next stage. As a result, they progress successfully to college or training. There is a wide range of opportunities for pupils to explore their interests. They value the clubs, from model railways to cooking. Year 8 pupils are enthusiastic about their rock band. The school council is active and persistent, such as requesting the recently installed benches. These experiences help pupils develop their confidence and independence.
What the school should improve
- Teachers sometimes check on learning less regularly and effectively than they could. This means that pupils on occasion move on to new content without the secure foundation they require. The school needs to ensure that teachers get the guidance and support they need to check successfully that pupils have understood their learning.
- The school does not always use information effectively. It does not identify and analyse trends in areas such as behaviour well enough. This means opportunities are missed to improve provision even more than at present. The school should ensure it uses information strategically so leaders can target the most effective actions to improve the school for pupils.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
15 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
67 pupils on roll, with places for 70
Schools near Sheridan House School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Nicholson School | 8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Orchard Manor School | 9 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Not published |
| Compass Community School Eld Park | 11 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| The Damara School | 12 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Highfield Littleport Academy | 13 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Other independent special school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 7 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Victoria Rowlands
- Phone
- 01366726040
- Address
- Thetford Rd, Northwold, Thetford, IP26 5LQ
- Local authority
- Norfolk
- URN
- 121246
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.