Broadland High Ormiston Academy Review 2026: Consistent Excellence in the Norfolk Broads

Set on the edge of the Norfolk Broads in the village of Hoveton, Broadland High Ormiston Academy serves a wide catchment across rural Norfolk and the northern fringes of Norwich. The academy has established a reputation for academic consistency and a calm, purposeful environment. Its 2024 GCSE results place it in a strong position within the local authority, outperforming many larger city based counterparts.

As a member of the Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) since 2018, the school benefits from a wider network of educational expertise while maintaining a distinct identity as a smaller, community focused secondary. With a capacity of 700 students, it offers a more intimate setting than the sprawling high schools often found in Norfolk, which helps staff maintain a close eye on individual progress and wellbeing.

The atmosphere at Broadland High is one of quiet productivity. Students move between lessons with a sense of purpose, and the interaction between year groups is notably respectful. The school site, located on Tunstead Road, blends traditional classroom blocks with newer additions, including a multi purpose sports hall and specialist technology suites.

Matthew Sprake has led the academy as Principal since September 2022, following several years as Vice Principal (he was formally appointed in February 2021). His leadership has focused on refining the curriculum and ensuring that the academy's values of effort and respect are visible in every classroom. Under his tenure, the academy has maintained its Good Ofsted status, with the latest inspection in November 2022 confirming its continued high standards. Inspectors highlighted a strong sense of community and excellent relationships between students and staff.

There is a genuine sense of belonging here. The house system, featuring houses named after local landmarks like Barton, Hickling, Ranworth, and Wroxham, provides a structure for healthy competition and peer support. This connection to the local landscape is a recurring theme, grounding the academy's ambitious academic goals in its Norfolk heritage.

Broadland High Ormiston Academy consistently delivers academic outcomes that exceed England averages. In 2024, the academy achieved an Attainment 8 score of 51.9, significantly higher than the England average of 45.9. This score reflects the total achievement of students across eight key subjects, including English, mathematics, and the sciences.

The academy ranks 1245th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and ranks 10th among secondaries in the Norwich area. This performance reflects a solid standing, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (27th percentile).

Progress is also a clear strength. The Progress 8 score of +0.27 indicates that students at Broadland High make better progress from their starting points than the average student in England. While 21.4% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) at grade 5 or above, the average EBacc point score of 4.6 remains comfortably above the England average of 4.08.

The curriculum is designed to be broad and balanced, ensuring that students have access to a wide range of academic and creative disciplines. In the lower years (Key Stage 3), there is a strong emphasis on core skills, but students also engage with drama, music, and design technology.

In the GCSE years, the academy offers a variety of pathways. While there is a push toward the EBacc subjects, students can also pursue vocational qualifications that reflect local employment opportunities. Teachers are subject specialists who use their expertise to challenge students. The latest Ofsted report confirmed that teachers have expert subject knowledge and use regular retrieval quizzes to help pupils remember key information.

Mathematics and science are particularly well regarded. The academy uses a range of digital tools to support learning, including the OAT wide virtual learning environment, which allows students to access resources and track their homework from home.

Pastoral care is a cornerstone of the Broadland High experience. Each student belongs to a form group, and the form tutor is the first point of contact for any concerns. This is supported by a dedicated pastoral team, including non teaching heads of house who are available throughout the day to support students' social and emotional needs via the Student Support Centre and Safe Space area.

The academy operates a clear behaviour policy that focuses on positive reinforcement. Safeguarding is effective and integrated into the daily life of the school. Students report feeling safe and knowing who to talk to if they have a problem. For those needing additional support, the academy provides access to school counsellors and works closely with external agencies to ensure that every student has the help they need to thrive.

Extracurricular life at Broadland High is varied and well attended. The academy places a strong emphasis on the creative arts and sport. The music department is a hive of activity, with opportunities for students to join the choir, the band, or take individual instrumental lessons. Drama is also popular, with LAMDA lessons and regular productions that allow students to develop confidence both on stage and behind the scenes.

Sporting opportunities include traditional team games like football, netball, and rugby, as well as athletics and badminton. The academy makes good use of its floodlit courts and large playing fields for both inter school fixtures and recreational play. A unique feature is the on site swimming pool, which is also used by the wider community.

STEM: Innovation and Technology

STEM subjects are given significant prominence at Broadland High. The academy features well equipped science laboratories and a dedicated technology wing. Students frequently participate in regional STEM competitions and challenges. The academy also offers a specific Information Technology aptitude entry route for up to 10% of the intake, highlighting its commitment to technical excellence.

As a state funded academy, Broadland High follows the Norfolk Local Authority admissions process. For Year 7 entry, the academy is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent intake period, there were 271 applications for 138 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 1.96. This indicates that for every place available, nearly two families applied.

Applications for 2026 entry begin in September 2025, with a deadline of 31 October 2025. Priority is given to looked after children, those with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school, and those living within the designated catchment area. Siblings of current students also receive priority. Parents interested in checking their proximity to the academy can use the FindMySchool Map Search to view their distance from the gates compared to previous intake patterns.

Fees & Financial Aid

Broadland High Ormiston Academy is a state funded academy; there are no tuition fees. As part of the Ormiston Academies Trust, the school is funded directly by the Department for Education.

While there are no fees, parents should budget for standard costs such as:

• Uniform: Available via the academy's official suppliers.
• Trips: The school offers various local and international educational visits, for which voluntary contributions are often requested.
• Music Lessons: Instrumental tuition is available at an additional cost, though subsidies may be available for students eligible for Pupil Premium.

Where Students Go Next

Since Broadland High does not have its own sixth form, students transition to a variety of post 16 providers across Norfolk at the end of Year 11. The academy provides extensive careers guidance and transition support to help students make informed choices.

Popular destinations include East Norfolk Sixth Form College in Gorleston, City College Norwich, and Paston College in North Walsham. A significant number of students also secure apprenticeships with local engineering and agricultural firms. The academy's strong GCSE results ensure that the vast majority of leavers progress to their first choice of post 16 study or training.

The school day begins at 8:30am, with students expected on site by 8:25am, and concludes at 3:15pm. A range of after school clubs typically run until 4:15pm. While formal wraparound care (like a breakfast club) is not explicitly published, the academy offers a wide range of extracurricular opportunities both at lunch and after school.

The academy is well served by school buses that cover the rural catchment area, and there is secure cycle storage for students who live in Hoveton or Wroxham. Hoveton and Wroxham railway station is a short walk away, providing links to Norwich and Cromer for staff and some older students.

• Oversubscription: With a subscription proportion of nearly 2.0, competition for places is high. Families living outside the immediate catchment area may find it difficult to secure a place during the initial allocation.
• Transition at 16: As an 11 to 16 academy, students must be prepared to move to a new environment for their A levels or vocational training. While the academy provides excellent support, this transition requires a level of independence from students.
• Rural Catchment: Many students travel to school by bus. While the transport network is well managed, it can mean a longer day for those living in outlying villages.

Broadland High Ormiston Academy offers a robust, academic education within a supportive and well managed environment. Its results are consistently strong, making it an excellent choice for families in the northern Norfolk area who want a smaller school feel without sacrificing academic breadth. Best suited to students who thrive in a structured setting and are looking for a clear pathway to high quality post 16 education. The main challenge for families is securing entry in an increasingly competitive admissions landscape.