Launceston College

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of ATHENA LEARNING TRUST

Hurdon Road, Launceston, PL15 9JR

01566 772468 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 10 May 2023
Grade 5 or above in English and maths55%England 45% · 2024/25
3rd highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Higher than 75% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,205Room for 1,400 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,293 in 2019, 1,365 in 2021, 1,376 in 2022, 1,389 in 2023, 1,337 in 2024, 1,280 in 2025, 1,205 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0209 for 207 places, September 2026
7th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Higher than 63% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 10 May 2023.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

68 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 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.

StatementThis schoolCornwallEngland
My child is happy at this school
18th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall.
Higher than 0% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
6% 68% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
18th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall.
Higher than 1% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
15% 74% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
16th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall.
Higher than 7% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
43% 68% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 51 parents whose child had been bullied
Joint 17th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall.
Higher than 0% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
8% 41% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 68 parents who had raised a concern
18th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall.
Higher than 1% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
9% 57% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
18th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall.
Higher than 0% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
4%said yes 65% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

250 pupils in this year group.

55% — 12 points above the Cornwall average, and 10 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolCornwallEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 55% 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. 48 45.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.4 3.9 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 50%This school 2023/24: 51%This school 2024/25: 55% This school England 45% 2022/23 50% 2023/24 51% 2024/25 55%

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.

228 pupils in this year group.

90% — about the same as the Cornwall average, and 2 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolCornwallEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 90% 91% 92%
School sixth form 23% 15% 34%
Sixth form college 40% 11% 13%
Further education college 19% 54% 37%
Apprenticeship 4% 5% 3%
Work 2% 5% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
94%90%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

41 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolCornwallEngland
Average A level grade B C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 40% 22% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 69% 48% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 41.3 35.0 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 33.0This school 2023/24: 39.2This school 2024/25: 41.3 This school England 35 2022/23 33.0 2023/24 39.2 2024/25 41.3

A level subjects, 2024/25

17 subjects, 110 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 18 28% 67% 40%
Chemistry 12 17% 42% 30%
Psychology 12 8% 25% 19%
Biology 11 45% 55% 27%
Physics 10 10% 40% 31%
Art and Design (Photography) 7 29% 43% 26%
Geography 7 14% 14% 23%
History 6 0% 50% 23%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), English Literature, Computer Studies / Computing, Film Studies, Mathematics (Further), Design and Technology (Product Design), Drama and Theatre Studies, French, Physical Education / Sports Studies.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

98 students in this year group.

88% — 10 points above the Cornwall average, and 9 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolCornwallEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 88% 78% 79%
Apprenticeship 16% 9% 7%
Work 40% 38% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
75%88%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

69 students in this year group.

49% — 2 points above the Cornwall average, and 11 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolCornwallEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 49% 47% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 20% 14% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
60%49%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 offered207
Families who put it first209
Of those, offered a place206 (99%)
Families who listed it at all264

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.

Admissions dates and schools in Cornwall

Pupils, staff and SEND

Specialist SEND provision: this school has a SEN unit with 17 places for profound and multiple learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.

PupilsThis schoolCornwallEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
20th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
23.9% 25.5%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
8th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Higher than 80% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.5% 3.5%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
31st highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.2% 15.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
Joint 2nd highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.6% 3.3%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
2nd lowest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Lower than 72% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
7.0% 9.2%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
2nd lowest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Lower than 72% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
18.7% 26.3%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
20th lowest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Lower than 16% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
38.4 37.1 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
13th lowest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Lower than 28% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
9.9% 10.3% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded7 pupils 0.55% 0.43% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
14th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Higher than 56% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.1 16.7 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
25th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Higher than 22% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.5 11.5 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
4th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall.
Higher than 93% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
27.1% 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.

SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Launceston College's Ofsted rating?

Launceston College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 10 May 2023.

How did Launceston College do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 55% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Launceston College?

4% of the 68 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Launceston College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Launceston College oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 209 families put Launceston College as their first choice for 207 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 206 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.