Downham Market Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Downham Market, Norfolk, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 205 of its 1,329 pupils (15.4%) were getting SEN support and 66 (5%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,329 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Norfolk.
15.4% get SEN support
205 of 1,329 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
5% have an EHC plan
66 of 1,329 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health88
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia67
- Autism41
- Moderate learning difficulty34
- Speech, language and communication11
- Hearing impairment6
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
- 1,329 (places for 1,567)
- Headteacher
- Dr Natalie Paine
- Part of
- Eastern Learning Alliance
- Free school meals
- 27% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Norfolk
- School reference (URN)
- 145196
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, April 2022
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in April 2022.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Bexwell Road, Downham Market, PE38 9LL
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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
- Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 5–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.2 miles
- Nelson Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.6 miles
- Orchard Manor School Independent · Ages 5–16 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.6 miles
- Sheridan House School Independent · Ages 7–16 · Ofsted: Good 8.3 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Downham Market Academy
How many pupils at Downham Market Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 205 of the 1,329 pupils (15.4%) were getting SEN support and 66 (5%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Downham Market Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (88 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (67 pupils) and autism (41 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Downham Market 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 Downham Market 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 Downham Market Academy?
You can ask for Downham Market 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 Downham Market 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 Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School, about 0.2 miles away.
Where is Downham Market Academy?
Bexwell Road, Downham Market, PE38 9LL, 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.