Trevithick Learning Academy

About Trevithick Learning Academy

Trevithick Learning Academy is a larger-than-average primary school in Cornwall, currently educating 521 pupils against a capacity of 420, which means it is significantly over its official roll. This oversubscription is reflected in its admission data for the 2025/26 intake: the school received 127 applications for just 55 places, with 63 of those applications coming as first preferences, resulting in an oversubscription ratio of 2.31. Only 54 first-preference offers were made, so demand clearly outstrips supply. The school serves a community with above-average economic disadvantage — 26.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with a national primary average of around 23%. This context makes its Ofsted rating of Good, awarded after a graded inspection in November 2023, all the more notable. The school is led by headteacher Kirsty Hitchens and is a mixed, non-religious state primary for children aged 2 to 11, with nursery provision on site.

Academically, Trevithick performs broadly in line with local expectations. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 60% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, just above the Cornwall local authority average of 58%. However, the proportion reaching the higher standard in all three subjects was just 8%, which is below the national figure. In individual subjects, reading and maths average scores were 105 and 104 respectively, both slightly above the national benchmark of 100. Writing and maths both saw 71% of pupils reach the expected standard, while reading was slightly lower at 67%. The school’s ranking places it in the bottom half nationally, at the 56th percentile, and 101st out of 208 primary schools in Cornwall. Its previous Ofsted inspection in 2010 rated the school Outstanding overall, so the current Good rating represents a step down, though inspectors noted Outstanding personal development and behaviour and attitudes in the most recent visit.

The school offers a strong set of facilities for a primary, including a Forest School, sports hall, sensory room, playing fields, gymnasium and even a chapel. Sports on offer include rounders, gymnastics, netball, tennis and dance, while clubs extend to eco club, choir and coding. For families with children who have additional needs, the SEND provision is unusually comprehensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health support, plus a dedicated SEN unit. This breadth suggests the school is well-equipped to support a wide range of learners. Given its oversubscription, families should be prepared to apply early and likely as a first preference. Trevithick will particularly suit parents who value a large, inclusive primary with strong pastoral care and a broad extracurricular offer, set within a community-facing school that is clearly popular with local families.

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