Classpot

The Park Community School

North Devon, EX32 9AXSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Outstanding
Oct 2023
Progress 8
-1.61
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
N/A
No data
Ranking
#3,110
of 3,141 nationally

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.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressPark Lane, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 9AX
HeadteacherVicky Owen
Local AuthorityDevon
Number of Pupils1,435
Free School Meals (FSM)60.6%
School Capacity1,435 / 300 (478% full)
Sixth FormYes
Nursery ClassesYes

Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

18 Oct 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Early Years Provision
Outstanding
Sixth Form Provision
Outstanding

Latest monitoring visit (18 Oct 2023): School remains Outstanding

Source: Ofsted, 28 Jun 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

SEND Support

Learning DifficultySevere Learning

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Park Community School

The Park Community School has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This means the school provides an exceptional quality of education, and pupils thrive both academically and personally.