Cornwall College

About Cornwall College

Cornwall College’s Progress 8 score of -0.33 places it well below the Cornwall local authority average of -0.12 for secondary schools, meaning pupils here make significantly less academic progress between Key Stage 2 and GCSE than their peers across the county. This puts the college in the bottom third of schools nationally on this measure, ranking 25th out of 31 similar schools in Cornwall. The picture is slightly more nuanced in individual subjects: maths progress is close to the national average at -0.06, but English progress lags at -0.24, and open subjects (those not part of the EBacc) show a particularly weak -0.5. The school’s Attainment 8 score of 37.9 and EBacc average point score of 3.27 reflect this pattern. On the positive side, the school has held a Good rating from Ofsted since at least 2013, and its most recent ungraded inspection in January 2023 confirmed it remains Good, with leadership and management and sixth-form provision both judged Good.

At A-level, the picture is more concerning. The college’s value-added score of -0.69 is rated ‘well below average’, and the average points per entry of 16 equates to a D- grade. The best three A-levels average out at a D grade, with no students achieving the AAB combination in facilitating subjects. This is a school where the sixth form, though officially part of the college, struggles to add value compared with other providers. At GCSE level, just 29.8% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths, compared with 56.9% achieving a grade 4 or above. Only 8.7% entered and achieved the EBacc at grade 5 or above, and 19.3% entered the EBacc suite at all. For parents focused on strong academic outcomes, these figures are a clear signal that Cornwall College is not performing in line with the county’s better schools, such as Penrice Academy (Progress 8 +0.32) or The Roseland Academy (+0.41).

Despite the academic challenges, Cornwall College is heavily oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 638 applications for 230 places, with 246 first-preference applications and 196 first-preference offers — a ratio of 2.77 applicants per place. The school serves a community with high levels of disadvantage, with 33.9% of pupils eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. Facilities are strong and include a swimming pool, astro turf, tennis courts, a sixth-form centre, and a chapel. There is a wide range of clubs and sports, including rugby, dance, netball, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. SEND provision is comprehensive, covering dyslexia, autism, speech and language needs, and physical disabilities. This is a school that offers a broad, inclusive environment for post-16 and secondary students, but parents prioritising academic progress should weigh the data carefully against the local alternatives.

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