SchoolScoresSir James Smith's School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of WESTCOUNTRY SCHOOLS TRUST
Dark Lane, Camelford, PL32 9UJ
01840 213274 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 April 2016. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 12 October 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
100 pupils in this year group.
43% — about the same as the Cornwall average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cornwall | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 43% | 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. | 42.7 | 45.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.7 | 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.
110 pupils in this year group.
89% — 2 points below the Cornwall average, and 3 points below 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. | 89% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 2% | 15% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 38% | 11% | 13% |
| Further education college | 28% | 54% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 10% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 89% |
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 | 94 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 91 |
| Of those, offered a place | 91 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 132 |
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 10th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 52% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 27.9% | 25.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 21st highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 34% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.3% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2% | 15.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 28th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 2% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.2% | 3.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 30th lowest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Lower than 6% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 30th lowest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Lower than 5% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 38.1% | 26.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 28th lowest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Lower than 5% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 74.0 | 37.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 31st lowest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Lower than 5% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.7% | 10.3% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.50% | 0.43% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 73% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.9 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 16th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 49% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.8 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 19th highest of 31 state secondary schools in Cornwall. Higher than 38% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3% | 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 Sir James Smith's School's Ofsted rating?
Sir James Smith's School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 April 2016. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 12 October 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Sir James Smith's School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 43% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Sir James Smith's School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 91 families put Sir James Smith's School as their first choice for 94 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 91 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 146408.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.