North Denes Primary School

North Denes is a 420-pupil primary school and nursery, located in an area of significant deprivation in Great Yarmouth. Debbie Whiting was originally the head teacher of another school also working as a Local Leader of Education at what was then North Denes Junior School. At that time, the school was rated “satisfactory” by Ofsted – although it had a history of being placed in special measures. Financial management was under investigation, the head resigned, standards were below national averages, behaviour and attendance were poor and staff morale was low. Debbie joined North Denes as head in 2012, in partnership with her other school. In January 2013, the school was judged to “require improvement” – at the time a significant achievement. Since then the school has received 2 good outcomes and at the most recent inspection, July 2018, the school was judged to have outstanding leadership with good judgements in all other areas.