SchoolScoresFowey River Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of TRURO & PENWITH ACADEMY TRUST
Windmill, Fowey, PL23 1HE
01726 833484 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 24 June 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
84 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Cornwall comparisons use the 18 of its 32 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 14 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Cornwall | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 4th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall. Higher than 49% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 68% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 8th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall. Higher than 40% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 74% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 9th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall. Higher than 29% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 68% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 31 parents whose child had been bullied 8th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall. Higher than 37% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 45% | 41% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 68 parents who had raised a concern Joint 5th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall. Higher than 65% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 57% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 26 parents of children with SEND 2nd highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall. Higher than 64% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 46% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 6th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall. Higher than 53% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81%said yes | 65% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 13%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Cornwall figures pool parents at the Cornwall schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
129 pupils in this year group.
33% — 11 points below the Cornwall average, and 13 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cornwall | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 33% | 43% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 39.7 | 45.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.4 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
96 pupils in this year group.
93% — 2 points above the Cornwall average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cornwall | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 15% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 34% | 11% | 13% |
| Further education college | 46% | 54% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 7% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 93% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Cornwall. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 105 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 101 |
| Of those, offered a place | 101 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 170 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Cornwall | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 4th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 61% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 31.6% | 25.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 16th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 52% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.0% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 23rd highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 56% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5% | 15.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 19th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.3% | 3.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Lower than 42% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 19th lowest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Lower than 29% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.7% | 26.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 23rd lowest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Lower than 13% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 46.0 | 37.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 24th lowest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Lower than 13% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.2% | 10.3% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded7 pupils | 1.06% | 0.43% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 96% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 20.6 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 82% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.4 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 29th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 10% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 6.5% | 14.9%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Questions parents ask
What is Fowey River Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 24 June 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Fowey River Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 33% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 13 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Fowey River Academy?
81% of the 84 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Fowey River Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Fowey River Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 101 families put Fowey River Academy as their first choice for 105 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 101 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 140836.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.