Nanstallon Community Primary School

About Nanstallon Community Primary School

Nanstallon Community Primary School is clearly popular with local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 38 applications for just 15 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.53, meaning more than two and a half families applied for every available spot. All 15 first-preference applicants were offered a place, which suggests that while competition is strong, those who put it first are likely to succeed. The school is a state primary for mixed genders aged 4 to 11, with 115 pupils on roll against a capacity of 119. Headteacher Ben Stephenson leads a school where 8.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, a figure below the national average. The school does not have a religious character and does not offer nursery provision or a sixth form. ParentView data is not available in this dataset, but the oversubscription figures alone signal a school that local parents trust and actively seek out.

Academically, the picture is mixed. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2021, Nanstallon received a Good rating across all five categories: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This was a clear improvement from its previous inspection in 2017, when the school was rated Requires Improvement. However, the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results tell a more cautious story. Just 30% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the Cornwall local authority average of 58%. The school ranks 196th out of 208 primary schools in Cornwall, placing it in the bottom 50% nationally. Individual subject scores were more encouraging: 65% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, and 60% in writing, but only 35% did so in maths. No pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects, though 20% did so in writing.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a sports hall, playing fields, music rooms, art studios, an ICT suite and an outdoor playground. Sports on offer include athletics, cricket, football and rounders, while clubs extend to drama, art and gardening. For children with additional needs, the school lists support for specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, speech and language needs, physical disabilities, and other difficulties. Given its small size and strong local demand, this is a school best suited to families who prioritise a close-knit, community feel and who are comfortable with a results profile that is below the local average. The oversubscription suggests it is a well-regarded local option, but parents focused on top academic outcomes may want to look at higher-performing schools in the area, such as Calstock or Landewednack.

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