South Molton Community College
South Molton, EX36 4LA · Devon · secondary school
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15th of 40 secondary schools in Devon we can score, 41 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 — 5.1/10 against 919 of them, against 5.2/10 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 | 44.7 · 49 | 46% | 2.28 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.01 · 51 | 38% | 1.97 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.4 · 62 | 15% | 0.96 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
South Molton Community College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 49.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. The Attainment 8 score was 45.9, compared with the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.01 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly better than those nationally who started from the same place. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (5.7 out of 10 either way).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh Award, participate in sports like Tae Kwando, Show jumping, and Football, or engage in arts through Essex Dance Theatre and School of Rock. Trips include visits to Paignton Zoo and the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Getting in
The published school roll is 656 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
How does the school support pupils to maintain progress scores above 0? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Attainment 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about South Molton Community College
Overview
Pupils enjoy attending this school, feeling safe and supported, particularly regarding mental health. The school has raised aspirations for achievement and behaviour, with most pupils responding positively to increased expectations. Inspectors found the curriculum to be broad and ambitious, with effective leadership and governance supporting recent improvements in attendance and conduct.
Strengths
- Pupils receive "high-quality support" for mental health difficulties and feel they can talk to adults about worries.
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with more pupils studying languages and following a rigorous academic path.
- Behaviour is generally good, with bullying being "uncommon" and usually resolved quickly.
- A "thoughtfully designed enrichment programme" enhances wider development, including sign language and sports.
- Governors provide "effective support," understanding their roles and helping tackle pressing issues like attendance.
Areas to improve
- Teaching sometimes lacks clear explanations, preventing pupils, including those with SEND, from acquiring new knowledge successfully.
- Some pupils miss curriculum time due to poor attendance or removal from lessons for conduct issues, hindering progress.
- The school must improve communication with parents and pupils to address dissatisfaction and build confidence in how concerns are handled.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.9 |
| 2024/25 | 45.9 |
| 2025/26 | 48.4 |
| 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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