The hardest schools to get into in Cornwall
Secondary: 167 families put Hayle Academy first in 2026 and 135 of them (81%) were offered a place.
Reception: 23 families put Penponds School first in 2026 and 14 of them (61%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Cornwall with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hayle Academy · Hayle | 167 | 135 (81%) | 135 |
| 2 | Poltair School · St Austell | 218 | 183 (84%) | 183 |
| 3 | Redruth School · Redruth | 307 | 284 (93%) | 285 |
| 4 | Richard Lander School · Truro | 326 | 306 (94%) | 308 |
| 5 | Treviglas Academy · Newquay | 248 | 241 (97%) | 241 |
| 6 | Budehaven Community School · Bude | 208 | 204 (98%) | 204 |
| 7 | Launceston College · Launceston | 209 | 206 (99%) | 207 |
| 8 | Camborne Science and International Academy · Camborne | 268 | 268 (100%) | 282 |
| 9 | Penrice Academy · St Austell | 251 | 251 (100%) | 273 |
| 10 | Bodmin College · Bodmin | 234 | 234 (100%) | 237 |
| 11 | Newquay Tretherras · Newquay | 231 | 231 (100%) | 237 |
| 12 | Helston Community College · Helston | 222 | 222 (100%) | 225 |
| 13 | Penair School · Truro | 222 | 222 (100%) | 236 |
| 14 | Penryn College · Penryn | 221 | 221 (100%) | 221 |
| 15 | Wadebridge School · Wadebridge | 189 | 189 (100%) | 191 |
| 16 | Liskeard School and Community College · Liskeard | 178 | 178 (100%) | 178 |
| 17 | Falmouth School · Falmouth | 168 | 168 (100%) | 170 |
| 18 | Humphry Davy School · Penzance | 164 | 164 (100%) | 166 |
| 19 | Callington Community College · Callington | 160 | 160 (100%) | 166 |
| 20 | Saltash Community School · Saltash | 157 | 157 (100%) | 159 |
| 21 | Brannel School · St Austell | 135 | 135 (100%) | 136 |
| 22 | The Roseland Academy · Truro | 120 | 120 (100%) | 125 |
| 23 | Mounts Bay Academy · Penzance | 116 | 116 (100%) | 119 |
| 24 | Torpoint Community College · Torpoint | 107 | 107 (100%) | 111 |
| 25 | Looe Community Academy · Looe | 106 | 106 (100%) | 107 |
| 26 | Fowey River Academy · Fowey | 101 | 101 (100%) | 105 |
| 27 | Pool Academy · Redruth | 99 | 99 (100%) | 124 |
| 28 | Mullion School · Helston | 95 | 95 (100%) | 95 |
| 29 | Sir James Smith's School · Camelford | 91 | 91 (100%) | 94 |
| 30 | St Ives School · St Ives | 80 | 80 (100%) | 89 |
| 31 | Cape Cornwall School · Penzance | 62 | 62 (100%) | 62 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Cornwall
What is the hardest school to get into in Cornwall?
For secondary places, 167 families put Hayle Academy first in 2026 and 135 of them (81%) were offered a place. For Reception, 23 families put Penponds School first and 14 of them (61%) were offered a place.
How many families in Cornwall get their first-choice school?
97.4% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 95.9% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Cornwall published it in its admissions booklet.