The Damara School
The Damara School is an independent special school in Thetford for pupils aged 5 to 16. It has 32 pupils on roll. The latest Ofsted rating for The Damara School is Good, from an inspection in November 2025.
Ofsted inspection: November 2025.
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 5-16 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | The Maltings Raymond Street Thetford Norfolk IP24 2EA |
| Reference Number | 148395 |
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 32 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 75%
Girls: 25% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 2 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 3 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 5 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 6 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 7 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 11 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
The Damara School has demonstrated good overall effectiveness in providing an educational environment for pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs. The school is particularly strong in fostering a supportive atmosphere, which has led to excellent behavior and outstanding personal development among pupils. The focus on life-changing support and tailored learning strategies has enabled many pupils to make significant progress academically and return to a more regular school routine. However, while the school shows strong growth in many areas, ongoing development in certain aspects of the English curriculum, particularly spelling and phonics, remains a key focus for improvement.
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Last Report Date | 23 Sep 2025 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 23 Sep 2025 | Standard inspection: |
| 14 Feb 2024 | Additional inspection |
| 22 Nov 2022 | Standard inspection: |
| 10 Mar 2021 | Pre-registration inspection |
| Proposed to open |
Strengths
- Outstanding behavior and attitudes of pupils
- Effective support strategies for pupils' emotional and behavioral regulation
- High academic expectations leading to rapid progress for pupils
- Skilled teachers who engage pupils' interests
- Strong personal development and nurturing of pupils' interests
- Positive and supportive staff culture
- Effective safeguarding arrangements
Areas for Improvement
- IMprovement needed in spelling knowledge and skills among pupils
- Phonics program is at an early stage of implementation
In 2025–26, 0.0% of pupils at The Damara School were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 100.0% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).
Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.
| Name | Distance |
|
Norwich Road Academy
Norwich Road, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2HT |
0.28 miles |
|
Queensway Junior Academy
Hillary Road, Thetford, IP24 3DP |
0.47 miles |
|
Queensway Infant Academy
Queensway, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3DR |
0.51 miles |
|
Redcastle Family School
St Martin's Way, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3PU |
0.62 miles |
|
Drake Primary School
Fairfields, Croxton Road, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1JW |
0.7 miles |
|
The Bishop's Church of England Primary Academy
Canterbury Way, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1EB |
0.78 miles |
|
Admirals Academy
Admirals Way, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2JT |
0.82 miles |
|
Raleigh Infant Academy
Admirals Way, Thetford, IP24 2JT |
0.82 miles |
|
Barnham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Mill Lane, Barnham, Nr Thetford, Suffolk, IP24 2NG |
2.42 miles |
|
Elveden Church of England Primary Academy
London Road, Elveden, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 3TN |
4.1 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Compass Community School Eld Park
Canterbury Way, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1EF |
0.81 miles |
|
The Thetford Academy
Croxton Road, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1LH |
1.1 miles |
All schools in Thetford · Norfolk local authority: places and applications
What is The Damara School's Ofsted rating?
The latest Ofsted rating for The Damara School is Good, from an inspection in November 2025.
When was The Damara School last inspected by Ofsted?
The Damara School was last inspected in November 2025.
How many pupils does The Damara School have?
The Damara School has 32 pupils on roll.
What age range does The Damara School cover?
The Damara School for pupils aged 5 to 16.
Where is The Damara School?
The Damara School is at The Maltings, Raymond Street, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2EA.