Open Academy becomes one of Norfolk's biggest church schools

Open Academy, which was the first school in Norfolk to become an academy, is now the second biggest church school in the county.

While it joined the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) a decade ago, the former Heartsease High School had never formally become a church school - but it is now an officially designated Church of England school.

(Image: Riley, Year 11)

It comes a year after the government scrapped a plan to force it to join a different trust when an Ofsted inspection found rapid improvements at the site.

The school was previously rated as inadequate by inspectors in 2022, sparking a plan for it to be transferred to the London-based Community Schools Trust.

But after inspectors boosted its rating to good last year, this plan was scrapped and it was allowed to remain with DNEAT.

Bishop Graham Usher, principal Jon Ford and pupils from Open Academy (Image: Riley Benfield)

Following a consultation, it has now been designated as a church school.

Principal Ford said: "We are delighted. Open Academy has become a beacon of success in inclusive education precisely because we are driven by our strong Christian values.

"We will remain proudly welcoming of all students from our local community.

Oliver Burwood, chief executive of DNEAT, said: "This decision is wholly in keeping with our approach of supporting our academies to grow and develop in a way which is right for them."

The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham Usher, at Open Academy (Image: Rowan Mantell)

The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, marked the change with a visit to the school earlier this month.

With a capacity of 750 the move makes Open Academy Norfolk's second-largest church school, just behind Harleston Sancroft Academy which is an all-through site with more than 870 pupils.

A ceremony to mark Open Academy being designated as a Church of England school (Image: Riley Benfield)