Bideford College is a secondary school in Bideford, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a academy sponsor led and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
Bideford College currently has around 1447 pupils on roll, which is about 65% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 49.3% boys and 50.7% girls. Around 28.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 13.5%. Persistent absence is recorded at 39.2%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (92.8%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 95% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (85%) , including 32% who stay in school sixth forms and 53% progressing to further education , while 6% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Abbotsham Road, Bideford, EX39 3AR |
| Website: | www.bidefordcollege.org |
| Telephone: | 01237477611 |
| School Type: | Academy sponsor led |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Devon |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Dr Claire Ankers |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 142540 |
Ofsted inspection date: 07/06/2022
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 2232 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1447 |
| Number of Boys: | 713 |
| Number of Girls: | 734 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 13.5% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 39.2% | 8.2% |
| White British | 92.80% | 1343 |
| Other White | 2.60% | 37 |
| White and Asian | 1.00% | 15 |
| Indian | 0.70% | 10 |
| Other Mixed | 0.60% | 8 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.50% | 7 |
| White and Black African | 0.30% | 5 |
| African | 0.30% | 5 |
| Unclassified | 0.30% | 4 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.20% | 3 |
| Irish | 0.20% | 3 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.20% | 3 |
| Other Asian | 0.10% | 2 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.10% | 1 |
| Chinese | 0.10% | 1 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Pakistani | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Other Black | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pynes Infant School and Nursery Coronation Road , EX39 3DD | - not rated | 655 yd | Foundation school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| West Croft School Coronation Road , EX39 3DE | 3out of 4 | 720 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Mary's Church of England Primary School Chanters Road , EX39 2QN | - not rated | 1,534 yd | Voluntary controlled school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Mary's CofE Primary School Chanters Road , EX39 2QN | 3out of 4 | 1,534 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Helen's Church of England School Abbotsham , EX39 5AP | 3out of 4 | 2,082 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bideford College Abbotsham Road , EX39 3AR | 3out of 4 | 0 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bideford College Abbotsham Road , EX39 3AR | - not rated | 186 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grenville College Belvoir Road , EX39 3JP | - not rated | 443 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Kingsley School Devon Northdown Road , EX39 3LY | - not rated | 573 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Stella Maris School , EX39 2PW | - not rated | 977 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| St Joseph's Preparatory School , EX39 2PW | - not rated | 977 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Broomhayes Centre Kingsley House , Alverdiscott Road EX39 4PL | - not rated | 3,021 yd | Other independent special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.