The Park Community School, Barnstaple
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
The Park Community School has created a welcoming and inclusive environment where all pupils can succeed. The school has made significant improvements to pupil behaviour, attendance and achievement, with particularly strong pastoral care support. Pupils benefit from a wide range of activities linked to personal development and the Duke of Edinburgh's award scheme, alongside comprehensive careers guidance.
Key Strengths
- Strong school culture based on the 'Park Pillars' values with pupils showing improved behaviour and attitudes
- Broad and ambitious curriculum with attainment above the national average
- Effective pastoral care with dedicated staff support available for all pupils
- Successful reading intervention programmes for younger pupils who have fallen behind
- Comprehensive careers education with a focus on raising aspiration
Areas for Improvement
- Some inconsistency in how well teachers check understanding and adjust teaching to meet individual pupil needs
- A few subjects where pupils do not achieve as well as they should, particularly affecting disadvantaged pupils
- Teaching approaches for pupils with SEND not consistently tailored to individual needs and starting points
- Persistent absence among disadvantaged pupils remains too high
- Reading support and enrichment less developed in key stage 4
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with clear procedures and an open, positive culture that prioritises pupils' safety.
Extracurricular Activities
Duke of Edinburgh's award scheme, mentoring in violence and bullying prevention, volunteering opportunities, assemblies, enrichment activities
The Park Community School is improving rapidly with pupils responding well to high expectations. The school is rated Good across all key areas, up from Requires Improvement at the previous inspection.
At a Glance
26.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
133 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Class Sizes
24.9
Avg class size
56
Total classes
15 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
94%
Near capacity
1,408 pupils
1,500 capacity
92 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Barnstaple
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Barnstaple
Admissions Demand - Devon
Places available
8,027
Applications
7,482
Got 1st preference
93.3%
Got preferred school
98.2%
Secondary admissions across Devon (2025/26)
Inspection History(3)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
9.7215%
Overall absence
27.00878%
Persistent absence
1,481
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
The Park Community School
Newport Community School Primary Academy
Eden Park Academy
Ashleigh CofE Primary School
Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Barnstaple
Yeo Valley Primary School
Bishops Tawton Primary School
Orchard Vale Community School
Pilton Infants' Academy
Pilton Bluecoat Church of England Academy
Sticklepath Community Primary Academy
Showing 10 of 12 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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