Launceston College
Launceston, PL15 9JR · Cornwall · secondary school
Check the area around this school
2nd of 31 secondary schools in Cornwall we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.4/10 against 904 of them, against 7.4/10 nationally. 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 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 62.7 · 84 | 30% | 2.54 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.22 · 66 | 25% | 1.66 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.5 · 63 | 10% | 0.63 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Launceston College overview
How it's doing
Launceston College was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023. In 2024/25, 55.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 48.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.22 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did 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 (7.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,205 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,400. 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 maintain progress from Key Stage 3 to 4? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about Launceston College
Overview
Launceston College is rated ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, including overall effectiveness, the quality of education, and leadership. The report highlights a school where relationships are “warm and mutually respectful” and where leaders have driven “significant improvement” in recent years. Pupils generally behave well and engage positively with a broad, ambitious curriculum that prepares them effectively for future life and careers.
Strengths
- Relationships between staff and pupils are “typically warm and mutually respectful,” with pupils valuing the support they receive.
- The curriculum is “broad and ambitious,” allowing pupils to build knowledge logically and prepare well for life in modern Britain.
- Leaders have prioritised reading, ensuring all pupils read often and receive targeted help if they are behind.
- Safeguarding arrangements are “effective,” with staff promptly identifying risks and making timely referrals.
- Sixth-form provision is strong, with students securing places at university, apprenticeships, or in employment.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the curriculum enables pupils to “apply their knowledge over time and in a variety of contexts” to deepen understanding.
- Leaders need to ensure that all pupils, including those struggling with high behavioural expectations, experience the full curriculum without missing valuable time.
- Leaders need to improve communication with parents so that they know their concerns have been dealt with and resolved.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting that staff identify risks promptly, make appropriate referrals, and that the curriculum raises pupils’ awareness of potential safeguarding risks.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.0 |
| 2024/25 | 48.0 |
| 2025/26 | 48.5 |
| 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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