Located in Thetford, Wayland Academy is a secondary school, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.
Wayland Academy currently has around 548 pupils on roll, which is about 73% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 50.7% boys and 49.3% girls. Around 25.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The school has a diverse intake across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 8%. Persistent absence is recorded at 24.4%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (78.8%). other white pupils make up about 11.3%
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 96% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (88%) , including 18% who stay in school sixth forms and 69% progressing to further education , while 5% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Merton Road, Thetford, IP25 6BA |
| Website: | www.inspirationtrust.org/wayland-academy |
| Telephone: | 01953881514 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Norfolk |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Ms Lucy Austin |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 137949 |
Ofsted inspection date: 11/07/2023
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 16 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 750 |
| Number of Pupils: | 548 |
| Number of Boys: | 278 |
| Number of Girls: | 270 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 8% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 24.4% | 8.2% |
| White British | 78.80% | 432 |
| Other White | 11.30% | 62 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 2.40% | 13 |
| White and Asian | 2.20% | 12 |
| Indian | 1.50% | 8 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.90% | 5 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.70% | 4 |
| White and Black African | 0.70% | 4 |
| Chinese | 0.40% | 2 |
| Other Black | 0.40% | 2 |
| Other Mixed | 0.20% | 1 |
| Irish | 0.20% | 1 |
| African | 0.20% | 1 |
| Unclassified | 0.20% | 1 |
| Pakistani | 0.00% | 0 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.00% | 0 |
| Other Asian | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watton Westfield Infant and Nursery School West Road , Watton IP25 6AU | 3out of 4 | 439 yd | Academy sponsor led | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Watton Westfield Infant and Nursery School West Road , Watton IP25 6AU | - not rated | 439 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Watton Junior School Brandon Road , IP25 6AL | - not rated | 721 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Wayland Junior Academy Watton Brandon Road , Watton IP25 6AL | - not rated | 721 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Watton Junior School Brandon Road , Watton IP25 6AL | - not rated | 721 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayland Academy Merton Road , Watton IP25 6BA | 3out of 4 | 0 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Wayland Community High School Merton Road , Watton IP25 6BA | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.