Wymondham High Academy Review 2026, Strong GCSE outcomes with a broad, arts leaning offer

A large secondary with sixth form, Wymondham High Academy combines an ambitious, knowledge-led curriculum with a visible commitment to inclusion and enrichment. The school sits within Enrich Learning Trust, which shapes governance and strategic oversight while keeping day to day leadership firmly school-based.

The September 2023 Ofsted inspection confirmed the school continues to be Good.

For families, the headline is academic strength at GCSE, alongside a sixth form that is solid rather than elite on national measures. At GCSE, the school ranks 855th in England for outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data) and 2nd locally in South Norfolk, placing it above the England average and comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England. A-level outcomes sit in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), again with a 2nd place local ranking.

Responsibility, determination and humility are presented as the organising values, and they are used as a practical lens for expectations, not just a poster set. The tone is purposeful, with a strong emphasis on high expectations and clear routines. In the most recent external review, pupils are described as considerate and kind, with older pupils supporting younger ones, which points to a culture where peer leadership is real rather than ceremonial.

Leadership is clearly identified. Chris Smith is headteacher, and the September 2023 inspection report notes he took up post in January 2023. A new head’s early period often brings policy churn; here, the public messaging stresses steady improvement and consistency, with an emphasis on culture and pastoral structures rather than wholesale reinvention.

Scale matters to day to day experience. With a published capacity of 1,610 and a roll of around 1,650 at the time of inspection, this is a big, busy secondary, and students need to be comfortable in a large-school setting. The upside is breadth, including specialist subject options and a wide menu of clubs, groups, and pathways.

At GCSE, the school’s outcomes look strong on multiple measures. The average Attainment 8 score is 54.4, and Progress 8 is 0.37, indicating students make above-average progress from their starting points. Ebacc average point score is 5.08.

Rankings put this in context. Ranked 855th in England and 2nd in South Norfolk for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), performance sits above England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England (top quarter).

Sixth form results are more mixed. A-level grades show 4.87% at A*, 13.98% at A, and 41.53% at A* to B. Against England averages, that A* to B figure is below the England benchmark (47.2%). A-level ranking is 1,540th in England and 2nd locally in South Norfolk (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), reflecting solid performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

What this tends to mean in practice is a sixth form that works well for students who want continuity, strong pastoral oversight, and a broad subject list, but which may not suit those chasing a highly selective, ultra-competitive academic cohort.

Parents comparing options locally should use the FindMySchool Local Hub page and Comparison Tool to set GCSE outcomes and sixth form outcomes side by side, because the pattern here is asymmetrical, stronger at GCSE than at A-level.

Curriculum intent is described in explicitly knowledge-rich terms, with an emphasis on sequencing, recall, and deliberate practice. That approach is supported by external commentary stating that subject specialists identify key knowledge and skills, organise them logically, and use retrieval to help pupils remember more over time.

A notable feature is the language offer early on. The inspection report states that all pupils study two languages when they start Year 7, and all take at least one language through to the end of Year 11. For students who thrive on linguistic challenge, that is a meaningful differentiator. For those who find languages difficult, parents should ask how support is targeted and how subject guidance works at option points.

The principal improvement area highlighted externally relates to assessment consistency. Some pupils lose learning time when tasks are set without secure prior knowledge, because not all teachers check understanding precisely enough. For families, the practical question is what happens when a student falls behind, and how quickly gaps are detected and addressed. The school’s stated model suggests strong structures, but it is worth probing the lived reality in specific subjects.

Where Students Go Next

University and post-18 destinations are available from official destination measures for the 2023/24 cohort. 55% progressed to university, 24% moved into employment, 6% started apprenticeships, and 1% entered further education.

For highly academic pathways, Oxbridge figures provide another lens. In the measurement period, 10 applications were made across Oxford and Cambridge, with 1 student securing a place, and the acceptance was recorded for Cambridge rather than Oxford.

Interpreting this sensibly matters. Oxbridge success is neither an expectation nor a proxy for sixth form quality on its own. Here it suggests that the school supports a small number of very high-attaining students through the process, while the majority of the cohort will be focused on a broader range of university, apprenticeship, and employment routes.

Where published destination breakdowns are not provided as named university lists, families should ask directly about guidance, personal statement support, and how work experience is arranged, especially for competitive courses and apprenticeships.

Year 7 entry is coordinated through Norfolk’s process, with clear published deadlines for September 2026 entry. Online admissions are stated as open and close on 31 October 2025. Offers are released on 02 March 2026.

The school also advertises aptitude places in Performing Arts (music and drama), Visual Arts, and Modern Foreign Languages, with a separate stated deadline of 30 September 2025. This is important for families with a child who has a genuine strength in one of those areas, because it creates an additional route that sits alongside the standard oversubscription criteria.

Catchment detail is unusually specific and helpful. The school describes its catchment as Wymondham and surrounding villages, and it publishes a long list of named catchment villages, plus a list of feeder primary schools. For parents, this reduces ambiguity, but it does not remove the need to check how criteria apply in a particular year. Families should use the FindMySchool Map Search to estimate travel and consider how location interacts with oversubscription criteria, especially when planning a house move.

The school states it is oversubscribed. Recent admissions demand measures also indicate oversubscription, with more applications than offers recorded for the relevant entry route.

Sixth form entry is available to internal and external applicants. The published minimum entry requirement is 40 or more points from 8 GCSE subjects, plus a grade 4 in English and Maths, with applications considered individually. Applications are described as being made via Norfolk’s Help You Choose platform or via an online application system, which points to a relatively straightforward administrative route.

The school’s safeguarding model is presented as structured and staffed, with designated safeguarding leadership and named wellbeing roles listed publicly. The September 2023 Ofsted inspection confirmed safeguarding arrangements are effective.

On day to day culture, the same external review highlights calm conduct, purposeful movement around a large site, and consistent adult responses when learning is interrupted. For many families, that combination of order and kindness is the balance they are seeking, especially in a big secondary.

Targeted support groups are also explicitly signposted. Alongside wellbeing officers, the school publishes groups such as Young Carers, and a Diabetic Group, which suggests a practical approach to student needs rather than a one-size model.

The strongest enrichment signal is that the school names, times, and eligibility for multiple clubs, which implies planned delivery rather than ad hoc activity. Options listed include LEGO Club, Chess Club, Latin Club, Debate Club, Electronics Club, Cyber Explorers Club, Languages Club, and a staffed Homework Club running four days per week.

The Homework Club is a good example of provision with a clear practical benefit. The evidence is that it is staffed, located, and scheduled on four weekdays. The implication is that students who struggle to work at home, or who benefit from structured study time, can build consistency early, which is often the difference between adequate and strong GCSE preparation.

Sport appears closely tied to the local environment. The school references Wymondham Leisure Centre for student activity and events, and school news includes participation in the Junior NBA basketball league hosted there. For students, that linkage can increase access to facilities and competitive fixtures, which is often difficult for schools without nearby provision.

Duke of Edinburgh also features as a defined programme area, including an identified coordinator on the staff list. For families who value structured volunteering, skills, and expedition experiences, this is a strong indicator of sustained enrichment rather than one-off trips.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Families should still budget for standard costs such as uniform, equipment, trips, and optional activities, which vary by year group and choices.

The published timings show an 08:30 start and a 15:10 finish Monday to Thursday, with a later teaching slot for some students running to 16:10. Friday ends earlier for students, with Period 5 ending at 14:20, followed by staff professional development. Breakfast club provision is referenced in the inspection report.

For transport, Wymondham benefits from rail links and local bus routes into Norwich and surrounding villages. Travel time can be a meaningful part of the student experience in a rural catchment, so families should test the journey at peak times where possible.

• A large-school experience. With around 1,650 pupils on roll at the time of inspection, some students thrive on the scale and choice, while others prefer a smaller setting where visibility feels easier.

• Assessment consistency. External commentary highlights that not all teachers check learning precisely enough, which can lead to some pupils losing learning time. Families should ask how departments identify gaps early, and what intervention looks like in practice.

• Deadlines for specialist aptitude routes. If an aptitude place is relevant, the 30 September 2025 deadline is earlier than the main secondary application deadline. Missing it removes that route entirely for 2026 entry.

• Sixth form outcomes are solid, not exceptional. GCSE measures look stronger than A-level measures. Students aiming for very high-attaining sixth form peer groups may want to compare options, including subject availability and teaching expertise in their intended A-levels.

Wymondham High Academy is a strong choice for families who want above-average GCSE outcomes in a large, structured school, with a clear enrichment offer and visible pastoral systems. It suits students who respond well to routine, enjoy breadth, and are willing to engage with languages, arts, and clubs alongside core academics. For sixth form, it is best suited to students who value continuity and a broad subject menu, rather than those seeking a highly selective, ultra-competitive academic cohort.