Mounts Bay Academy
Penzance, TR18 3JT · Cornwall · secondary school
Check the area around this school
29th 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 the 904 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.6/10 among them, against 2.7/10 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 | 11 | 35% | 0.39 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 38.5 · 33 | 30% | 1.00 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.56 · 13 | 25% | 0.33 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.1 · 40 | 10% | 0.40 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Mounts Bay Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 37.7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -0.56, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.4 out of 10 among them, against 2.7 out of 10 nationally. The March 2026 inspection used the new report-card framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join art clubs.
Getting in
The published school roll is 922 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,020. 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 shown in the Progress 8 score? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Mounts Bay Academy
Overview
Mounts Bay Academy is described as an inclusive school where the majority of pupils behave well and feel safe. While leaders have made positive strides in improving attendance and behaviour, the report identifies that achievement and teaching quality require attention to ensure all pupils make sufficient progress.
Strengths
- The school fosters a calm, orderly environment where lessons are rarely disrupted and pupils value learning.
- Leaders have established effective systems to support vulnerable pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Personal development is supported by a comprehensive curriculum and a standout careers programme that successfully guides pupils into further education or employment.
- Pupils benefit from an extensive extra-curricular offer, particularly in music, sports, and community service, which enhances wellbeing.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure classroom activities are well-matched to curriculum aims so pupils achieve more highly and deepen their learning.
- Formative assessment needs to be consistently embedded to help staff tailor teaching effectively to individual pupil needs.
- Leaders should take systematic action to address gaps in pupils’ foundational knowledge in reading, writing, mathematics, and spoken language.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified, acted upon, and managed to keep pupils safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.7 |
| 2024/25 | 43.7 |
| 2025/26 | 44.1 |
| 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 TR18 3JT, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT