Fowey River Academy
Fowey, PL23 1HE · Cornwall · secondary school
Check the area around this school
30th 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 — 1.6/10 against 707 of them, against 1.5/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 20.8 · 4 | 46% | 0.18 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.22 · 33 | 38% | 1.28 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 34.9 · 5 | 15% | 0.08 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Fowey River Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 32.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.22 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edwards Awards, play table tennis, squash, tennis, or badminton, and take instrumental and singing lessons. Trips include London, watersports in France, and theatre outings. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 676 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,000. 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
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific support is offered for the Progress 8 score?
What Ofsted said about Fowey River Academy
Overview
Fowey River Academy is described as ambitious, with a focus on developing individual character and raising expectations for conduct. The report highlights that pupils’ examination outcomes are rising and that the school provides high-quality pastoral care within an inclusive culture.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with subjects clearly outlining what pupils will learn to build knowledge securely over time.
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge" and are keen to share their passion, while the school accurately identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- The ‘Enrich’ programme offers diverse opportunities for pupils to develop talents, such as gig racing and music, fostering pride in leadership roles.
- The school works determinedly to raise attendance, leading to a "significant reduction" in the number of pupils absent from school.
- Personal development prepares pupils well for adult life, including understanding healthy relationships, mental health, and career aspirations through employer engagement.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum is not always well implemented, resulting in some pupils developing "gaps in their knowledge" and not building understanding as securely as they could.
- High expectations for positive attitudes towards learning are not always realised, with lapses in behaviour and attitude not always addressed quickly enough.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 39.8 |
| 2024/25 | 39.7 |
| 2025/26 | 34.9 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of PL23 1HE, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT