Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School vs Nelson Academy
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in East of England, England, 1.2 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School
Downham Market · Local authority primary · Ages 5–11
404 students
Nelson Academy
Downham Market · Academy primary · Ages 3–11
386 students
| Measure | Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School Downham Market, East of England | Nelson Academy Downham Market, East of England |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 62 Top 50% | 39 Lower 50% |
| Region rank | #664 of 1,872 | #1257 of 1,872 |
| National rank | #5448 of 15,697 | #10288 of 15,697 |
| Sector | Local authority | Academy |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Ages 5–11 | Ages 3–11 |
| Students | 404 | 386 |
| Pupils on roll | 404 | 386 |
| Free school meals | 18.8% | 31.4% |
| Capacity filled | 96.2% | 102.1% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 71% | 63% |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | 8% | 4% |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | – | – |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | – | – |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | – | – |
| EBacc average points | – | – |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Downham Market | Downham Market |
| region | East of England | East of England |
| Website | www.hillcrest.norfolk.sch.uk/ | nelsonacademy.co.uk/ |
The verdict
- •Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (61.9 vs 39.4).
- •Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School does better on ks2: reading, writing & maths expected standard (71% vs 63%).
- •Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School does better on ks2: higher standard (8% vs 4%).
- •Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School is the larger school with 404 students compared with 386.
- •Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School is a local authority school while Nelson Academy is a academy school, so fees and admission rules differ.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School better than Nelson Academy?
On the Success Index (England), Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School ranks higher (61.9 vs 39.4 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School and Nelson Academy?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Downham Market and Downham Market in East of England.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School: 404. Nelson Academy: 386. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School and Nelson Academy rank in East of England?
Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School is 664th of 1,872 and Nelson Academy is 1257th of 1,872 among primary schools in East of England on the 2025 Success Index (England).