Looe Community Academy
86%
Capacity
524
Pupils
1.9x
Demand
About Looe Community Academy
Parent feedback at Looe Community Academy is notably mixed, with just 37% of respondents saying they would recommend the school to another parent, according to the Parent View survey covering the period from September 2024 to September 2025. The school is oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year, receiving 156 applications for 80 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.95. However, only 78 of those applications were first preferences, and exactly 78 first-preference offers were made. On the positive side, 75% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that their child can take part in clubs and activities, and 65% felt there was a good range of subjects available. But concerns are evident elsewhere: only 29% agreed that bullying is dealt with quickly and effectively, and just 19% of parents with SEND children felt the school gives them the support they need. The school has a Good rating from its most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2015, though an ungraded inspection in October 2024 noted that some aspects were not as strong.
Academically, the school's results place it well below average nationally. Its Progress 8 score for the 2023/24 academic year was -0.75, meaning pupils achieved nearly three-quarters of a grade less per subject than similar students nationally. This is significantly below the Cornwall local authority average of -0.12, and ranks Looe Community Academy 31st out of 34 secondary schools in the county. The Attainment 8 score stands at 37.2, and just 25.8% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc entry rate is low at 20.6%, and only 2.1% of pupils entered the full EBacc and achieved a grade 5 or above. The school's Progress 8 banding is categorised as 'Well below average', and it sits in the bottom 50 nationally for this measure. In the South West region, it ranks 291st out of 306 schools, and nationally it ranks 2,888th out of 3,141 schools.
The school serves 524 pupils aged 11 to 16, with 27.1% eligible for free school meals, above the national average. Facilities include a swimming pool, sports hall, playing fields, science labs, music rooms, and a library, with clubs ranging from the Duke of Edinburgh's Award to Model UN and gardening. The school offers a broad range of SEND provisions, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. With no sixth form on site, students must move elsewhere after Year 11. Given the mixed parent satisfaction and below-average academic outcomes, this school may suit families who prioritise the range of extracurricular activities and the local oversubscribed setting, but those focused on strong academic progress or SEND support may want to explore other options in Cornwall.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Sunrising, Looe, Cornwall, PL13 1NQ |
| Headteacher | Paul Boyes |
| Local Authority | Cornwall |
| Number of Pupils | 524 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 27.1% |
| School Capacity | 524 / 610 (86% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
23 Oct 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (23 Oct 2024): Some aspects not as strong
Source: Ofsted, 9 Sept 2015. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.75)
2888th of 3,141
Nationally
291st of 306
In South West
31st of 31
In Cornwall
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/238%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 104 pupils).
- Sixth form college37%
- FE college37%
- School sixth form (stay)8%
- Apprenticeship8%
- Employment6%
- Not sustained6%
94% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
Ofsted Parent View
174 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed80
156
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
78 families put this school as their 1st choice (50% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
School day
Teaching hours
08:40 – 15:10
Source: looe.cornwall.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British94.3%
- Mixed3.7%
- White (other)1.1%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
2
Total schools
2
Oversubscribed
1
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Looe Community Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Sunrising, Looe
Cornwall, PL13 1NQ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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