The Thetford Academy: Music and Community at the Heart of Norfolk

A happy school community at the heart of the town it serves. That assessment, from Ofsted inspectors, captures something essential about The Thetford Academy. This large state secondary and sixth form serves the historic market town of Thetford and its surrounding villages, offering students aged 11 to 19 a curriculum enriched by exceptional music provision and strong pastoral care. Principal Michael Fordham leads a school where music and sport sit at the centre of an impressive personal development programme.

Part of the Inspiration Trust, the academy has built a reputation that extends well beyond examination results. Mrs Hodges, the school's music teacher, won the Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Award in 2025, national recognition that reflects the genuine commitment to arts education here. The Thomas Paine Sixth Form, named after the famous radical thinker born in Thetford, offers A-levels to students continuing their education locally.

Thetford Academy occupies a purpose-built campus on Croxton Road, designed to accommodate up to 2,050 students. The scale is significant, yet the atmosphere is calm and purposeful. Ofsted noted that the school's approach to managing behaviour has created a calm learning environment, with the vast majority of students behaving well.

Students feel valued and cared for here. Effective pastoral care ensures individual support, and the sense of community is genuine. The school draws from Thetford itself and the surrounding rural areas, creating a mixed intake that reflects the diverse communities of Breckland.

Under Michael Fordham's leadership, the academy has gone from strength to strength. His focus on creating well-rounded individuals shows in the breadth of opportunities available. The house system, with Brunel, Cavell, Fry, and Paine houses competing for points throughout the year, builds community and friendly competition.

As part of Inspiration Trust, the academy benefits from wider resources and support while maintaining its own distinct character. The trust's emphasis on knowledge-rich curriculum and high expectations aligns with the school's ambitions for its students.

GCSE Results

The Thetford Academy's GCSE performance places it in the lower 40% of schools in England, with an average Attainment 8 score of 38.9 compared to the England average of 45.9. The school ranks 3203rd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 2nd among schools in the Thetford area.

However, the Progress 8 score of +0.04 tells a more encouraging story. This positive value-added figure indicates that students make slightly better than expected progress from their starting points, a meaningful achievement for a genuinely comprehensive school serving a mixed intake. The curriculum is carefully designed to support the interests and aspirations of all students. Knowledge is sequenced progressively, building understanding over time.

Ofsted highlighted particular strengths in maths, sciences, and languages, areas where the academy has achieved several years of strong results.

A-Level Results

At A-level, 4.5% of entries achieved A*, with 7.7% at grade A and 16.7% at grade B. Overall, 28.9% of A-level entries achieved A*-B grades, below the England average of 47.2%. This places the Thomas Paine Sixth Form in the lower 40% of sixth form providers in England (78th percentile), ranking 2078th in England and 1st in the Thetford area.

These figures require context. The sixth form serves students from across the attainment spectrum, many of whom might not have accessed A-level study at more selective institutions. The best ever A-level outcomes celebrated in August 2025 suggest a positive trajectory.

Parents comparing local performance can use the Local Hub page to view these results side-by-side using the Comparison Tool.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge and provide clear explanations. The curriculum is knowledge-rich, designed to give students not just examination success but context for everyday life and their world after education. Subjects are taught in progressive sequences, with each lesson building on previous learning.

The academy takes pride in its broad curriculum offer. Modern languages feature prominently, with Mandarin among the enrichment activities, reflecting ambition beyond the standard secondary timetable. Setting arrangements allow teachers to pitch content appropriately, while mixed ability teaching in some subjects promotes peer learning.

SEN provision is well-established, with the special classes indicator confirming dedicated support for students with additional needs. The SENCO coordinates interventions and liaises with external agencies as needed.

From the 2023/24 cohort of 50 sixth form leavers, 38% progressed to university, 12% began apprenticeships, and 30% entered employment directly. One student secured a place at Cambridge, a notable achievement for a comprehensive sixth form.

The academy works hard to prepare students for whichever pathway suits them best. More and more students are leaving with good grades to begin high-quality apprenticeships or to study at university, as Principal Michael Fordham noted. Careers guidance begins early, and the school maintains links with local employers.

The Thomas Paine Sixth Form provides a local option for students who wish to continue their education without travelling to larger urban centres. For families in rural Breckland, this accessibility matters.

Admissions for Year 7 are coordinated through Norfolk County Council. The Thetford Academy is slightly oversubscribed, receiving 283 applications for 258 places in the most recent cycle, a subscription ratio of 1.1. This means most families who apply will secure a place.

After looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school, places are allocated according to published criteria. The school serves Thetford and surrounding villages; families living locally are well-placed to secure entry. There is no entrance test or academic selection.

Sixth form entry is open to both internal students and external applicants. Entry requirements vary by A-level subject, with demanding courses typically requiring grade 5 or above at GCSE. The sixth form welcomes students who want to continue their education locally.

Effective pastoral care ensures students are supported and valued. The school tracks engagement carefully, intervening when students disengage or struggle. Staff know their students well, and the house system creates smaller communities within the larger school.

Behaviour management is consistent. The calm learning environment allows teachers to teach and students to learn without constant interruption. Relationships are respectful, and bullying is taken seriously when it occurs.

The transitions programme supports Year 6 students moving into Year 7, recognising that the move to secondary can be challenging. Students receive support to make the most of their time, even when adapting to a new environment.

Music and sport are at the heart of the exceptional programme of enrichment activities. This Ofsted judgement reflects reality: the academy has been designated Lead School for Music in Breckland, a role that extends influence beyond its own students.

Music

The music programme is genuinely outstanding. Mrs Hodges' Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Award in 2025 brought national recognition to what students and staff already knew: music here is special. The school orchestra provides ensemble experience, while Battle of the Bands gives contemporary musicians their moment. Young pianists participate in regional competitions, and talented music students receive celebration and support.

Drama

The drama programme delivers ambitious productions. Bugsy Malone dazzled audiences in April 2025, showcasing the Speakeasy performance style that has become a school signature. Students develop confidence and creativity through regular performance opportunities.

Sport

Sport features prominently, with rugby and netball among the competitive offerings. Annual Inspiration Trust tournaments pit students against peers from other trust schools, building friendly rivalry and athletic development. The 3x3 basketball competition embraces the energy of the format.

Other Enrichment

The enrichment programme extends well beyond the obvious. Clubs include Mandarin, gardening, and orchestra. Personal development tracking ensures all students engage with opportunities beyond the curriculum.

The school day runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm. The academy is located on Croxton Road, Thetford, IP24 1LH. Thetford has a railway station with connections to Cambridge and Norwich, making the town accessible despite its rural setting.

Rural location. Thetford is a market town in Breckland, not a major urban centre. Families moving from cities should understand the more limited local amenities and transport links. For students travelling from surrounding villages, transport arrangements need planning.

Results below average. GCSE and A-level headline figures sit below England averages. Families prioritising academic selectivity or top-tier results should explore alternatives. The positive Progress 8 score suggests good teaching, but starting points matter for headline outcomes.

Large school. With capacity for over 2,000 students, this is a big secondary. Some students thrive in larger environments; others may prefer smaller, more intimate settings. The house system helps, but the campus remains substantial.

The Thetford Academy delivers what a good comprehensive secondary should: genuine opportunities for all students regardless of background. The exceptional music provision, led by a nationally-recognised teacher, sets it apart from typical offerings. Pastoral care is strong, behaviour is calm, and students feel valued.

Best suited to families in Thetford and surrounding Breckland villages who want their children educated locally, with access to strong music and sport programmes alongside solid academics. The Thomas Paine Sixth Form offers a local pathway to A-levels and university. For students who engage fully with the opportunities available, this is a school that develops well-rounded individuals ready for life beyond education.