SchoolScoresSt Nicolas' CofE VA School, Downderry
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of ST BARNABAS CHURCH OF ENGLAND MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Downderry, Torpoint, PL11 3LF
01503 250565 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 9 July 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 | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
12 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Cornwall comparisons use the 18 of its 236 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 218 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 1st highest of 18 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall. Higher than 87% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 86% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 1st highest of 18 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall. Higher than 85% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 90% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 1st highest of 18 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall. Higher than 93% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 80% | 78% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 18 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cornwall. Higher than 85% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100%said yes | 86% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 11%). 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
13 pupils in this year group.
38% — 22 points below the Cornwall average, and 24 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cornwall | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 38% | 60% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 8% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 77% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 62% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 69% | 73% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 14 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 14 |
| Of those, offered a place | 14 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 21 |
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.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Cornwall | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 6 state primary schools in Torpoint. Higher than 10% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 7.3% | 22.6%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 3rd highest of 6 state primary schools in Torpoint. Higher than 44% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.8% | 3.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 6 state primary schools in Torpoint. Higher than 3% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.5% | 15.6%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 6 state primary schools in Torpoint. Higher than 8% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.9% | 4.0%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 6 state primary schools in Torpoint. Lower than 64% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.5% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 6 state primary schools in Torpoint. Lower than 69% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.6% | 12.0%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 6 state primary schools in Torpoint. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 3.7 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 6 state primary schools in Torpoint. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.6% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.10% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 6 state primary schools in Torpoint. Higher than 80% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 23.3 | 20.9 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 6 state primary schools in Torpoint. Higher than 68% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.8 | 10.3 | 10.6 |
Comparisons are with primary 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.
Questions parents ask
What is St Nicolas' CofE VA School, Downderry's Ofsted rating?
St Nicolas' CofE VA School, Downderry was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 9 July 2024.
How did St Nicolas' CofE VA School, Downderry do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 38% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 24 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Nicolas' CofE VA School, Downderry?
100% of the 12 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend St Nicolas' CofE VA School, Downderry to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Nicolas' CofE VA School, Downderry oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 14 families put St Nicolas' CofE VA School, Downderry as their first choice for 14 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 14 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 140342.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.