SchoolScoresSouth Molton Community College
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of South Molton Co-operative Learning Trust
Old Alswear Road, South Molton, EX36 4LA
01769 572129 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 10 December 2024, 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
109 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Devon comparisons use the 23 of its 43 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 20 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 | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 17th highest of 23 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 15% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 66% | 77% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 15th highest of 23 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 19% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 79% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 16th highest of 23 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 15% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 70% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 48 parents whose child had been bullied 14th highest of 23 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 15% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 35% | 44% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 87 parents who had raised a concern 21st highest of 23 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 5% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 37% | 64% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 28 parents of children with SEND 12th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 6% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 29% | 53% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 17th highest of 23 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 14% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55%said yes | 73% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 16%). 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. Devon figures pool parents at the Devon 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
117 pupils in this year group.
50% — 4 points above the Devon average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 50% | 46% | 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. | 45.9 | 45.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.2 | 4.0 | 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.
122 pupils in this year group.
90% — 2 points below the Devon average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 90% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 23% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 73% | 56% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 13% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 90% |
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 Devon. 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 | 120 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 118 |
| Of those, offered a place | 118 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 138 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 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 | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 33rd highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.2% | 22.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 24th highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 80% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.5% | 4.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 88% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.4% | 15.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 29th highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 11% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.0% | 5.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 28th lowest of 42 state secondary schools in Devon. Lower than 13% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1% | 9.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 33rd lowest of 42 state secondary schools in Devon. Lower than 15% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 31.7% | 26.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 20th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Lower than 23% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 31.0 | 36.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 16th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Lower than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.3% | 9.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.60% | 0.29% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 9th highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 91% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.4 | 17.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 89% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.0 | 12.1 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 87% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 22.7% | 14.4%* | 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 South Molton Community College's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 10 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did South Molton Community College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 50% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 4 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend South Molton Community College?
55% of the 109 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend South Molton Community College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is South Molton Community College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 118 families put South Molton Community College as their first choice for 120 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 118 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 113512.
- 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.