Fakenham Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Fakenham, Norfolk, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 124 of its 723 pupils (17.2%) were getting SEN support and 30 (4.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 723 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Norfolk.
17.2% get SEN support
124 of 723 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
4.1% have an EHC plan
30 of 723 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health52
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia44
- Speech, language and communication27
- Autism14
- Moderate learning difficulty7
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 723 (places for 750)
- Headteacher
- Mr Gavin Green (Principal)
- Part of
- Sapientia Education Trust
- Free school meals
- 25.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Norfolk
- School reference (URN)
- 139572
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Norfolk council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, June 2015; standards maintained (October 2024)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in June 2015. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formGood
Since then: Standards maintained (ungraded inspection, October 2024).
Contact and getting there
Field Lane, Fakenham, NR21 9QT
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Duke of Lancaster School Special school · Ages 5–16 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.4 miles
- Ortus Education Ltd - West Raynham School Independent · Ages 5–17 · Ofsted: Good 4.4 miles
- King's Park Infant School, Dereham Mainstream + base · Ages 4–7 · Ofsted: Good 12 miles
- Dereham Neatherd High School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 12 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Fakenham Academy
How many pupils at Fakenham Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 124 of the 723 pupils (17.2%) were getting SEN support and 30 (4.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Fakenham Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (52 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (44 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (27 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Fakenham Academy?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Fakenham Academy?
Through Norfolk council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Fakenham Academy?
You can ask for Fakenham Academy to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Fakenham Academy have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is King's Park Infant School, Dereham, about 12 miles away.
Where is Fakenham Academy?
Field Lane, Fakenham, NR21 9QT, in Norfolk.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.