The Park Community School

About The Park Community School

The Park Community School in North Devon is a state secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16 that currently serves 1,435 students, far exceeding its official capacity of 300. This significant oversubscription is a clear signal of local demand. The school's intake is notably diverse in terms of disadvantage: 60.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, a figure that is substantially higher than the national average and likely well above the Devon local authority average. The school is non-denominational and mixed, with Vicky Owen as headteacher. Despite the pressures of a large roll, the school has maintained an Outstanding rating from Ofsted across its two most recent inspections, including an ungraded inspection in 2023 which confirmed it remains Outstanding. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of respondents to the Parent View survey saying they would recommend the school, and 84% strongly agreeing that their child is happy there.

Academically, the picture is more complex. The school's Progress 8 score for the 2023/24 academic year was -1.61, which is well below average and ranks it 39th out of 43 similar schools in Devon. This contrasts sharply with the local authority average Progress 8 score of -0.09. The Attainment 8 score sits at just 0.4, and no pupils entered the English Baccalaureate or achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. The school ranks bottom in North Devon and in the bottom 1% nationally for Progress 8. However, Ofsted's 2018 graded inspection rated the school Outstanding overall, with Outstanding leadership and management, and the 2023 ungraded inspection found no reason to change that judgement. The school also has a sixth form, which was rated Outstanding in the 2018 inspection, and a nursery provision, indicating a broad educational offering from early years through to post-16.

The school offers a wide range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, music rooms, art studios, and a sixth form centre. Sports on offer include athletics, swimming, cricket, gymnastics, rugby, badminton, and dance, while clubs range from science and film to gardening and young enterprise. The school has specific SEND provisions for moderate and severe learning difficulties, and 100% of parents responding to the Parent View survey agreed that the school gives SEND children the support they need. The school is heavily oversubscribed, so families considering it should be aware of the high demand. It will particularly suit families who value a strong pastoral and community feel over raw academic metrics, as the parent satisfaction data is exceptionally strong, with 86% strongly agreeing that their child feels safe and 83% strongly agreeing that their child does well.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About The Park Community School

Helpful Guides for Parents