Port Isaac Academy
Port Isaac, PL29 3RT · Cornwall · primary school
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212nd of 218 primary schools in Cornwall we can score, 236 in total — the rest without enough published data. 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 — 0.3/10 against 3,260 of them, against 0.7/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2023/24 | 33.0 · 4 | 40% | 0.17 |
| Ofsted | 6 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2023/24 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Port Isaac Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2023/24, 33.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with a national median of 63%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, against a national median of 6%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in April 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 52 pupils against a stated capacity of 72. 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 who are below the expected standard in literacy and numeracy? What specific interventions are in place for the 0.0% who reached the higher standard? How does the new Ofsted framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Port Isaac Academy
Overview
Port Isaac Academy is a small primary school where pupils enjoy a welcoming environment with strong relationships and good behaviour. While early years provision is positive and safeguarding is effective, the report identifies significant variability in teaching and learning, leaving many pupils with gaps in knowledge and skills.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are actively identified and managed.
- Early years children get off to a "positive start," benefiting from "warm and positive relationships" and a clear curriculum.
- Attendance and behaviour are at an "expected standard," with pupils showing "readiness to learn" and bullying not being an issue.
- Phonics is a strength, and staff expertise ensures pupils "decode and blend unknown words successfully."
- Staff are "overwhelmingly positive" about the school’s direction, valuing support for workload and wellbeing.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must address "too much variability" in how well pupils learn, ensuring they build knowledge securely across subjects.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is variable; leaders need to check the impact of adaptations with "rigour."
- Pupils with gaps in handwriting, spelling, and punctuation require timely support to become "accurate and fluent writers."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer.
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
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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