The Ilfracombe Church of England Academy
Ilfracombe, EX34 9JB · Devon · secondary school
Check the area around this school
13th 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.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.7/10 against 867 of them, against 7.5/10 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 | 16 | 35% | 0.55 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 52.7 · 68 | 30% | 2.05 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.48 · 83 | 25% | 2.07 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 50.7 · 73 | 10% | 0.73 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Ilfracombe Church of England Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.48 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Young Enterprise, Debating, Paired Reading, and Student Leadership clubs. Sports include Duke of Edinburgh, Ten Tors, Football, Netball, and Surfing. Arts activities feature Stage Right Theatre and musical productions. Trips have included Madrid, New York, Auschwitz, Kenya/Tanzania, and a ski trip.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,016 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. 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 the progress seen in the 2023/24 data? What specific support is available for students aiming for
What Ofsted said about The Ilfracombe Church of England Academy
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders have driven "rapid improvements," resulting in pupils who "typically achieve well" and feel safe. While attendance and behaviour have improved significantly, the inspection identifies specific inconsistencies in supporting pupils with special educational needs and handling bullying incidents.
Strengths
- Pupils’ achievement has "improved significantly," with positive outcomes in national examinations and high-quality work.
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with staff using an "evidence-based approach to teaching" that effectively addresses knowledge gaps.
- A "structured reading programme" is highlighted as a particular strength, helping pupils develop fluency and confidence.
- Leaders have successfully reduced barriers to attendance, and rates of absence have decreased.
- Staff provide effective support for mental health and wellbeing, ensuring pupils have "trusted adults" to turn to.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the specific needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "consistently provided for in lessons."
- Leaders should further support pupils to improve behaviour so that fewer miss learning when removed from lessons.
- Leaders should ensure incidents of bullying are dealt with "quickly and effectively" to restore confidence among pupils and parents.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing "an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns actively managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 50.8 |
| 2024/25 | 47.9 |
| 2025/26 | 50.7 |
| 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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