Hellesdon High School

Hellesdon High School
Address
187 Middletons Lane, Hellesdon Norwich , Norfolk , NR6 5SB England
Coordinates	52.6598°N 1.2564°E / 52.6598; 1.2564
Information
Type	Academy
Motto	Enjoy, Achieve, Succeed
Established	c. 1937
Trust	Wensum Trust
Department for Education URN	138039 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Principal	Mike Earl
Staff	50+
Gender	Coeducational
Age	11 to 18
Enrollment	1,581 pupils
Houses	Everest, Fuji, Nevis, Olympus, Snowdon
Colour(s)	Red, Blue, Black
Website	https://www.wensumtrust.org.uk/hellesdonhigh

Hellesdon High School is a secondary school and, on site, is a sixth form with academy status in Hellesdon, Norfolk, England. The school is part of the Wensum Trust.[1]

The headmaster duties are handled by Mike Earl only as of 2025[2]. The school incorporates 1,581 pupils with a capacity of 1290.[3]

As of October 2023, the school holds a 'Requires Improvement' OFSTED rating.[4]

House system

Hellesdon High School has a house system; all students are split into 5 different houses, each led by a Head of House. Students can compete in House Competitions all academic year, and a trophy is presented to the winning house at the end of the summer term.[5]

Expansions

Over the years, there have been numerous expansions to the school buildings, which include:

• 3G Pitch[6] (2006)
• Expansion of G Block (2007)
• Bike shelter (2007)
• Sports Hall[7] (2007)
• Creation of K Block[8] (2018)
• Expansion of K Block[9] (2022)

Sixth form

In the close of 2022, Hellesdon High School underwent a restructuring,[10] resulting in the separation of its sixth form provision. The school previously housed both secondary and sixth form education on site. With this division, Hellesdon High School now operates independently alongside Hellesdon Sixth Form, each with its own distinct identity and roles.

As part of this reorganisation, a new logo was introduced for Hellesdon Sixth Form,[11] and the former Hellesdon High School building, known as F Block, was repurposed to accommodate the new sixth form.[12]

Previously, the school shared a sixth form provision with Taverham High School, but this was phased out in September 2014.[13]

Notable staff and pupils

Silver plaque thanking Chris Sutton for funding the school

• Lionel Fanthorpe, television presenter, author and lecturer; Head of English and then Deputy Headteacher at the school 1972–1979
• Sam Sexton, professional boxer
• Chris Sutton, footballer; pupil at the school from 1986
• Mike Sutton, footballer
• Sophie Wright, cyclist[14]

References

1. "Hellesdon High School joins the Wensum Trust". Wensum Trust. 1 March 2016.
2. "Tom Rolfe leaves Hellesdon High School". Wensum Trust.
3. "GOV.UK School Information". GOV.UK.
4. "2023 OFSTED Report". OFSTED. 3 October 2023.
5. "Our House System". Hellesdon High School.
6. "3G Pitch Date". UK Sports Facilities. Archived from the original on 13 April 2024.
7. "Sports Hall Date". UK Sports Facilities. Archived from the original on 13 April 2024.
8. "Modular Classrooms building". Munnings Construction.
9. "School to expand after £300,000 blueprint approved". Norwich Evening News. 26 May 2022.
10. "New Look Sixth Form For Hellesdon". Wensum Trust.
11. "Hellesdon Sixth Form Logo". Wensum Trust.
12. "Norwich City legend opens Hellesdon sixth form". Norwich Evening News. 3 December 2022.
13. "Hellesdon and Taverham high schools to split joint Sixth Form". Eastern Daily Press. 26 February 2013.
14. "Olympic hopeful Sophie Wright from Horsford wins mountain bike comeback - 12 days after five-hour heart operation". Eastern Daily Press. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2024.