St Stephens Community Academy
Launceston, PL15 8HL · Cornwall · primary school
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165th 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 — 1.7/10 against 1,800 of them, against 1.8/10 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) 2024/25 | 52.0 · 22 | 40% | 0.88 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 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.
St Stephens Community Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 52.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2024. 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 (1.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Plymouth Argyle Football club and attend a Year 6 residential trip. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 199 pupils against a stated capacity of 238. 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 maths? What specific activities are included in the Year 6 residential? How do the breakfast and after-school clubs operate on days with early or late finishes?
What Ofsted said about St Stephens Community Academy
Overview
The report describes a school that has created a "close-knit community" where pupils feel a strong sense of belonging and pride. Leaders maintain high expectations, resulting in an "ambitious" curriculum and "exceptional" pastoral care that supports pupils’ personal development and resilience.
Strengths
- Early years provision is outstanding, with children getting an "exceptionally strong start" through effective language development and joyful routines like ‘Storytime’.
- Behaviour is "exemplary" and disruption is "extremely rare," supported by a positive ethos where pupils embody values such as creativity and advocacy.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "quickly identified" and supported by staff who work "tenaciously" to secure appropriate help and personalised curricula.
- The school has a "sharp focus on reading," ensuring children start reading in Reception and many go on to read for pleasure.
- Personal development is highly effective, with pupils learning about global citizenship, sustainability, and how to keep themselves safe, including online risks.
Areas to improve
- In some subject areas, the curriculum implementation is not consistently strong, meaning "disciplinary knowledge is not carefully designed."
- Teaching does not always use assessment effectively to check learning, leading to "variable" depth of understanding and retention of knowledge for some pupils.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 55% |
| 2023/24 | 55% |
| 2024/25 | 52% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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
- 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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