What ages does UET Pathfinder Academy teach?

UET Pathfinder Academy teaches children aged 5 to 16. It is a special school in Norwich.

Who is the executive headteacher of UET Pathfinder Academy?

The executive headteacher of UET Pathfinder Academy is Mr Matt Ridley, as recorded in the Department for Education's register of schools.

Has UET Pathfinder Academy been inspected?

Ofsted has inspected UET Pathfinder Academy, and its latest judgement is set out in the inspection section on this page, with the framework and the date it was made.

How many pupils are at UET Pathfinder Academy?

UET Pathfinder Academy has 284 pupils on roll, teaching children aged 5 to 16.

Is UET Pathfinder Academy full?

UET Pathfinder Academy has capacity for 350 pupils and 284 on roll (81%), so it has space against its published capacity. Places are allocated through the local authority's admissions process, so capacity alone does not tell you whether a place is available.

Is UET Pathfinder Academy a faith school?

No. UET Pathfinder Academy has no designated religious character.

Is UET Pathfinder Academy part of an academy trust?

UET Pathfinder Academy is part of UNITY EDUCATION TRUST. Schools in a trust or federation share leadership and governance, but each keeps its own inspection record and results.

Does UET Pathfinder Academy publish exam results?

OfferDay shows exam results for a school only where the Department for Education has published them, and none are shown for UET Pathfinder Academy. That is usual for infant, nursery, special and independent schools, and for schools without recent published results.

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UET Pathfinder Academy

UET Pathfinder Academy

Douglas Bader School, Filby Road, Norwich, NR10 5JW

Phase: Academies
School type: Academy alternative provision converter
Ages: 5 to 16
Gender: Mixed
Trust: UNITY EDUCATION TRUST
Executive Headteacher: Mr Matt Ridley
Religious ethos: None
Sponsor: Unity Education Trust
Constituency: Broadland and Fakenham
Setting: Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city
Capacity: 350
Pupils on roll: 284
URN: 140753
Local authority: Norfolk
Website: School website
Telephone: 01603737764

About this school

UET Pathfinder Academy is a special academy in Norwich. It teaches children aged 5 to 16 and has 284 pupils on roll.

Ofsted has inspected UET Pathfinder Academy, and its latest judgement is set out below. Where the Department for Education has published them, its results and pupil characteristics appear below. Seeing a school for yourself shows what no page can, so arrange a visit before you apply.

Ofsted judgement

England: previous inspection framework

Inspected 2 July 2024 · report published 10 November 2024

Requires improvement

Overall judgement at the last full inspection

This inspection took place under the previous framework, which gave a single overall grade. Ofsted now publishes report cards instead, so newer inspections of other schools will look different. How Ofsted report cards work

Quality of education: Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes: Requires improvement
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Requires improvement
Safeguarding: Effective

Read the full report on Ofsted's website

Trends over time

How UET Pathfinder Academy has moved over recent years against the local and national picture. Every figure is shown in the table beneath its chart.

Pupils on roll

Year	This school
2022/23	315
2023/24	362
2024/25	335

School census, spring count each academic year.

School context

From the 2024/25 school census and absence figures.

Free school meals (last 6 years): 71.34%
English as an additional language: 6.3%

Location

Nearby schools

Visiting Teacher Service North
Other types · North Walsham

4.7 miles
Include School Norfolk
Independent schools · Norfolk

6.7 miles
The Stables Independent School
Special schools · Norwich

7.0 miles
Hall School
Special schools · Norwich

7.1 miles
Red Balloon - Norwich
Independent schools · Norwich

8.3 miles

Other schools in Norwich

Acorn Park School Special schools
All Saints School Special schools
Aurora Eccles School Special schools
Aurora White House School Special schools
Banks House School Special schools
Eaton Hall Specialist Academy Academies
Future Education Special schools
Hall School Special schools
Harford Manor School, Norwich Special schools
Red Balloon Educational Trust-Norfolk Special schools
The Clare School Special schools
The Lighthouse Special schools

Common questions

What ages does UET Pathfinder Academy teach?: UET Pathfinder Academy teaches children aged 5 to 16. It is a special school in Norwich.
Who is the executive headteacher of UET Pathfinder Academy?: The executive headteacher of UET Pathfinder Academy is Mr Matt Ridley, as recorded in the Department for Education's register of schools.
Has UET Pathfinder Academy been inspected?: Ofsted has inspected UET Pathfinder Academy, and its latest judgement is set out in the inspection section on this page, with the framework and the date it was made.
How many pupils are at UET Pathfinder Academy?: UET Pathfinder Academy has 284 pupils on roll, teaching children aged 5 to 16.
Is UET Pathfinder Academy full?: UET Pathfinder Academy has capacity for 350 pupils and 284 on roll (81%), so it has space against its published capacity. Places are allocated through the local authority's admissions process, so capacity alone does not tell you whether a place is available.
Is UET Pathfinder Academy a faith school?: No. UET Pathfinder Academy has no designated religious character.
Is UET Pathfinder Academy part of an academy trust?: UET Pathfinder Academy is part of UNITY EDUCATION TRUST. Schools in a trust or federation share leadership and governance, but each keeps its own inspection record and results.
Does UET Pathfinder Academy publish exam results?: OfferDay shows exam results for a school only where the Department for Education has published them, and none are shown for UET Pathfinder Academy. That is usual for infant, nursery, special and independent schools, and for schools without recent published results.

School details come from the Department for Education's Get Information About Schools register. Inspection outcomes come from Ofsted, and exam results from the Department for Education's school performance service. This page was last updated on 1 July 2026.