The Park Community School is a secondary school in Barnstaple, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a academy converter 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 Park Community School currently has around 1435 pupils on roll, which is about 96% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 49.8% boys and 50.2% girls. Around 24.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 10.6%. Persistent absence is recorded at 29.5%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (88.9%).
Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
| Address: | Park Lane, Barnstaple, EX32 9AX |
| Website: | http://www.theparkschool.org.uk |
| Telephone: | 01271373131 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Devon |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Ms Vicky Owen |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 146094 |
Ofsted inspection date: 03/06/2025
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 16 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1500 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1435 |
| Number of Boys: | 715 |
| Number of Girls: | 720 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 10.6% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 29.5% | 8.2% |
| White British | 88.90% | 1275 |
| Other White | 3.10% | 44 |
| White and Asian | 1.70% | 25 |
| Other Mixed | 1.30% | 18 |
| African | 1.10% | 16 |
| Unclassified | 1.10% | 16 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.60% | 9 |
| White and Black African | 0.50% | 7 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.50% | 7 |
| Indian | 0.40% | 6 |
| Pakistani | 0.20% | 3 |
| Chinese | 0.20% | 3 |
| Irish | 0.10% | 2 |
| Other Black | 0.10% | 2 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.10% | 1 |
| Other Asian | 0.10% | 1 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport Community School Landkey Road , Newport EX32 9BW | - not rated | 592 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Newport Community School Primary Academy Landkey Road , Newport EX32 9BW | - not rated | 592 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Forches Cross Community Primary School Forches Avenue , EX32 8EF | - not rated | 1,135 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Eden Park Academy Eden Park Academy , Forches Avenue EX32 8EF | 2out of 4 | 1,135 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ashleigh CofE (VC) Primary School Bevan Road , EX32 8LJ | - not rated | 1,180 yd | Voluntary controlled school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Park Community School Park Lane , EX32 9AX | - not rated | 0 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Park Community School Park Lane , EX32 9AX | - not rated | 0 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Pilton Community College Chaddiford Lane , EX31 1RB | 3out of 4 | 2,679 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Pilton Community College Chaddiford Lane , EX31 1RB | - not rated | 2,679 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petroc Old Sticklepath Hill , EX31 2BQ | - not rated | 1,505 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lampard Community School St John's Lane , EX32 9DD | - not rated | 809 yd | Foundation special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Lampard Community School St John's Lane , EX32 9DD | 3out of 4 | 809 yd | Academy special converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Yeo Centre, North Devon KS3 PRU St George's Road , EX32 7AU | - not rated | 1,796 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| On Track Education Barnstaple Narita House , Fishleigh Rd, EX31 3UD | - not rated | 2,107 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| St Michael's School Tawstock Court , Tawstock EX31 3HY | - not rated | 2,413 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.