Brannel School
St Austell, PL26 7RN · Cornwall · secondary school
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22nd of 31 secondary schools in Cornwall we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 3.1/10 against 807 of them, against 2.9/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 34% | 1.78 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 29.5 · 15 | 30% | 0.45 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.02 · 52 | 26% | 1.32 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 38.0 · 12 | 10% | 0.12 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Brannel School overview
How it's doing
Brannel School was rated Good by Ofsted in May 2022. In 2024/25, 31.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.02 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join the Combined Cadet Force, play football and netball, and attend theatre performances. Trips include visits to Paris, Auschwitz, and CERN. An after-school club is available for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 888 pupils against a stated capacity of 750. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What specific support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores? How are the various trips and clubs funded or accessed by all students?
What Ofsted said about Brannel School
Overview
The report describes Brannel School as an ambitious institution with a "shared vision for pupils to achieve highly and develop strength of character." Inspectors found a "calm and positive atmosphere" where pupils feel safe and are encouraged to become global citizens through an exciting curriculum. The school is judged as Good across all inspection categories.
Strengths
- Leaders have created an "ambitious and varied curriculum" that allows pupils to "build their knowledge well over time," with a particular focus on vocabulary.
- The school provides an "excellent range of career opportunities" and meets the requirements of the Baker Clause, offering early career guidance from Year 7.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "fully included in the life of the school," with teachers receiving suitable training.
- Staff form strong relationships with pupils, and leaders act quickly to address rare incidents of poor behaviour or bullying.
- Governors "support and challenge senior leaders well," and staff report being well supported within the school community.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should develop "strong channels of communication with parents" to prevent breakdowns in the partnership between school and home.
- Leaders must ensure all pupils develop "positive attitudes to learning" through the consistent implementation of an effective behaviour policy, addressing a minority who display negative attitudes.
- In some subjects, it is "less clear what pupils must know in detail," requiring clearer curriculum planning.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "vigilant culture" where staff receive regular training and make effective links with outside services.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.8 |
| 2024/25 | 41.6 |
| 2025/26 | 38.0 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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