Windmill Hill Academy
Launceston, PL15 9AE · Cornwall · primary school
Check the area around this school
166th 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.
Narrow the comparison to the 2,785 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.3/10 among them, against 1.8/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Windmill Hill 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% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.3 out of 10 among them, against 1.8 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Basketball, Bowls, Cricket, Dance, Cross Country, and Gardening clubs. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 162 pupils against a stated capacity of 220. 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 not reaching the higher standard in core subjects? What specific strategies are used to improve reading and writing outcomes for the majority of Year 6 students? How does the school manage class sizes given the current roll of 162?
What Ofsted said about Windmill Hill Academy
Overview
Windmill Hill Academy continues to be a good school, where staff make everyone welcome and pupils arrive eager to learn. The school delivers a well-planned, broad and balanced curriculum that is meticulously crafted to reflect its context, ensuring pupils build knowledge effectively over time. Parents hold highly positive views, noting that their children enjoy school and that staff are warm and friendly.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ambitious and carefully designed, with clear steps of knowledge that allow pupils to build on previous learning, particularly in mathematics and early reading.
- Staff adapt the curriculum well for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those speaking English as an additional language, ensuring all learn the intended content.
- Pupils behave well, showing high levels of engagement and respect; bullying is rare and resolved quickly when it occurs.
- Leaders have successfully improved reading outcomes by implementing a new curriculum with speed and urgency, resulting in pupils developing fluency quicker than in the past.
- Staff feel valued and proud to work at the school, appreciating leaders’ efforts to consider workload and provide tailored training.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, assessment is not well developed; staff sometimes do not check precisely enough what pupils have learned, missing opportunities to deepen knowledge further.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders establishing a culture of vigilance where staff report concerns swiftly and leaders act decisively to ensure pupils receive necessary support.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 46% |
| 2023/24 | 46% |
| 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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