Wayland Academy

Secondary
Academy
Ages 11 to 16

Ofsted: Good

Merton Road, Watton, Thetford, IP25 6BAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Wayland Academy is a secondary school in Thetford for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 453 schools in Norfolk. It ranks 5th of 53 secondary schools in Norfolk. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 11 July 2023, report published 25 September 2023

Overall effectiveness: Good
Quality of education: Good
Behaviour and attitudes: Good
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Good
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

106 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score52.0

52.0, 5.9 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths63.2%

63.2%, 17.8 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths79.2%

79.2%, 14.4 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc57.5%

57.5%, 17 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.89

4.89, 0.8 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

564 pupils on roll, with places for 750

Eligible for free school meals27.8%

27.8%, 1.3 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language21.1%

21.1%, 0.5 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support9.2%

9.2%, 5.6 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.3%

4.3%, 1.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Wayland Academy

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
The Nicholas Hamond Academy	8 miles	Report card: Needs attention to expected standard	Attainment 8: 38.4
OneSchool Global UK - Swaffham Campus	9 miles	No Ofsted inspection	Attainment 8: 50.1
Attleborough Academy	9 miles	Report card: Expected standard to strong standard	Attainment 8: 41.4
Dereham Neatherd High School	10 miles	Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good	Attainment 8: 47.4
Northgate High School	10 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 41.0

School details

School type: Academy converter
Sector: Academy
Trust: INSPIRATION TRUST
Age range: 11 to 16
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: No
Headteacher: Ms Lucy Austin
Phone: 01953881514
Website: inspirationtrust.org/wayland-academy (opens in a new tab)
Address: Merton Road, Watton, Thetford, IP25 6BA
Local authority: Norfolk
URN: 137949

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.