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Schools in Cornwall

A council (local authority) in the South West

  • Council
  • 488 schools and nurseries
  • 71,237 pupils
  • 18 towns and villages

In short: Most primary schools here are rated Good or better, about the same as across England. Results at 11 are close to England, and results at 16 were close to England in 2026. Attendance is close to the England figure.

Three children with backpacks crossing a street
A red-brick school building under a blue sky
18 towns

Cornwall at a glance

Close to England on most measures

How Cornwall's schools compare with England, area by area.

DfE and Ofsted data, 2014 to 2026How we work this out
  • Schools and nurseries488236 primary · 31 secondary · 194 nurseries
  • Primaries Good or better93%England 96%
  • Met the standard at 1160%England 62%
  • Grade 5 in English and maths44%Attainment 8 45.5, England 46.2
  • Free school meals, primary22%A sign of family income
  • Missed a lot of school19%England 18%
Top-rated

The highest-rated schools in Cornwall

Primary and secondary schools are ranked by Eduscope score, which weighs up results, inspections, attendance and more. Nurseries, special and independent schools aren't ranked. A high score isn't everything: always visit.

All Cornwall primary schools

Top Primary Schools in Cornwall

236 mainstream schools in Cornwall, best first

Mawnan CofE VA Primary School

Falmouth, TR11 5HQ · State · Primary · Ages 4 to 11

  • Ofsted:Outstanding in every area

Results well above the England average.

16 first choices, 16 offers made

Met the standard at 1178%

England 62%

Days missed
3.3%
Pupils
144
Pupils per teacher
22.4
View school Mawnan CofE VA Primary School

Lostwithiel School

Lostwithiel, PL22 0AJ · Academy · Primary · Ages 2 to 11

  • Ofsted:Strong standard or better

Results above the England average.

26 first choices, 26 offers made

Met the standard at 1168%

England 62%

Days missed
3.3%
Pupils
166
Pupils per teacher
22.0
View school Lostwithiel School

Antony Church of England School

Torpoint, PL11 3AD · Academy · Primary · Ages 3 to 11

  • Ofsted:Expected standard or better

Results well above the England average.

15 first choices, 15 offers made

Met the standard at 1182%

England 62%

Days missed
3.9%
Pupils
94
Pupils per teacher
23.5
View school Antony Church of England School
See all 259 primary schools

Top Secondary Schools in Cornwall

31 mainstream schools in Cornwall, best first

Penrice Academy

St Austell, PL25 3NR · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 16

  • Ofsted:Outstanding in every area

Results above the England average.

251 first choices, 273 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1649.1

England 46.2

Days missed
6.9%
Pupils
1,405
Pupils per teacher
17.3
View school Penrice Academy

The Roseland Academy

Truro, TR2 5SE · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 16

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Results close to the England average.

120 first choices, 125 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1647.5

England 46.2

Days missed
8.7%
Pupils
665
Pupils per teacher
16.4
View school The Roseland Academy
See all 55 secondary schools

Nurseries in Cornwall

194 in Cornwall, highest Ofsted grade first

Camborne Nursery School

Camborne, TR14 7DT · State · Nursery · Ages 1 to 5

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

No published results yet.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
–
Pupils
66
Pupils per teacher
12.0
View school Camborne Nursery School
See all 194 nurseries

Sixth Forms in Cornwall

19 in Cornwall, by the school's Eduscope score

Launceston College

Launceston, PL15 9JR · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 18

  • Ofsted:Good

Results close to the England average.

209 first choices, 207 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1648.5

England 46.2

Days missed
7.1%
Pupils
1,205
Pupils per teacher
17.1
View school Launceston College

Newquay Tretherras

Newquay, TR7 3BH · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 18

  • Ofsted:Good

Results above the England average.

231 first choices, 237 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1649.0

England 46.2

Days missed
10.9%
Pupils
1,614
Pupils per teacher
16.4
View school Newquay Tretherras
See all 19 sixth forms

Special Schools in Cornwall

14 in Cornwall. Eduscope doesn't rank these.

Curnow School

Redruth, TR15 1LU · Academy · All-through · Ages 3 to 19

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
12.0%
Pupils
115
Pupils per teacher
7.5
View school Curnow School

Red Moor School

Pl30 5bt · Independent · All-through · Ages 5 to 18

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
–
Pupils
78
Pupils per teacher
–
View school Red Moor School

The Lowen School

Pl18 9ns · Independent · All-through · Ages 5 to 18

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
–
Pupils
25
Pupils per teacher
–
View school The Lowen School
See all 14 special schools

Private Schools in Cornwall

14 in Cornwall. Eduscope doesn't rank these.

Red Moor School

Pl30 5bt · Independent · All-through · Ages 5 to 18

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
–
Pupils
78
Pupils per teacher
–
View school Red Moor School

The Lowen School

Pl18 9ns · Independent · All-through · Ages 5 to 18

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
–
Pupils
25
Pupils per teacher
–
View school The Lowen School

Cardrew Court School

Redruth, TR15 1SS · Independent · All-through · Ages 7 to 16

  • Ofsted:Good

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
–
Pupils
48
Pupils per teacher
–
View school Cardrew Court School
See all 14 private schools
The map

Every school in Cornwall, on one map

Each dot is a school or nursery, coloured by its latest Ofsted grade. Point at a dot to see its name, or use the list.

See them as a list
Show
Camborne Nursery School, OutstandingTruro Nursery School, OutstandingTrythall Community Primary School, GoodHeamoor Community Primary School, Needs attention in 6 areasSt Ives Junior School, Requires improvementSt Levan Primary School, GoodGermoe Community Primary School, GoodMylor Bridge Community Primary School, GoodBoskenwyn Community Primary School, GoodSt Day and Carharrack Community School, GoodTreleigh Community Primary School, GoodGwinear Community Primary School, GoodStithians Community Primary School, GoodPerran-Ar-Worthal Community Primary School, GoodKea Community Primary School, GoodSt Erme with Trispen Community Primary School, GoodDevoran School, GoodBosvigo School, GoodGorran School, GoodSt Wenn School, GoodNanstallon Community Primary School, Needs attention in 5 areasBoscastle Community Primary School, GoodKilkhampton Junior and Infant School, GoodTrekenner Community Primary School, Requires improvementWhitstone Primary School, GoodSouth Petherwin Community Primary School, GoodTregadillett Primary School, GoodCalstock Community Primary School, Needs attention in 1 areaFourlanesend Community Primary School, Good in every areaSt Neot Community Primary School, Good in every areaPensilva Primary School, Needs attention in 1 areaStoke Climsland School, GoodSt Stephens (Saltash) Community Primary School & Nursery, GoodTorpoint Nursery and Infant School, Good or betterCarbeile Junior School, Expected standard or betterBurraton Community Primary School, GoodMenheniot Primary School, GoodMarlborough School, Expected standard or betterStratton Primary School, GoodSt Mary's CofE School, Truro, Good in every areaFlushing School, Good in every areaMadron Daniel CofE (VA) School, Requires improvement in 3 areasSt Mary's CofE Primary School, Penzance, GoodMawnan CofE VA Primary School, Outstanding in every areaBishop Cornish CofE VA Primary School, Needs attention in 5 areasTorpoint Community College, GoodBudehaven Community School, GoodRedruth School, GoodRichard Lander School, GoodHumphry Davy School, GoodSt Josephs School, InspectedPolwhele House School, InspectedTruro School, InspectedTruro High School, InspectedThe Cornwall Independent School, InspectedTruro School Preparatory School, InspectedThree Bridges, GoodTaliesin Education Ltd, InadequateSt Buryan Primary School, GoodTrenance Learning Academy, OutstandingSandy Hill Academy, OutstandingNewquay Junior Academy, GoodBodmin College, Requires improvement in 3 areasBodriggy Academy, GoodCamborne Science and International Academy, GoodNewquay Tretherras, GoodPenair School, GoodThe Roseland Academy, OutstandingPenrice Academy, Outstanding in every areaSaltash Community School, Good in every areaTrevithick Learning Academy, GoodMount Hawke Academy, Outstanding in every areaPool Academy, Needs attention in 3 areasCharlestown Primary School, Good in every areaTrewirgie Junior School, GoodPenryn College, GoodSt Columb Major Academy, GoodSt Columb Minor Academy, Good in every areaMounts Bay Academy, Needs attention in 2 areasSt Hilary School, GoodTrewirgie Infants' School, GoodBrunel Primary & Nursery Academy, GoodTreverbyn Academy, GoodSt Breock Primary School, GoodPadstow School, GoodFalmouth School, Good in every areaArchbishop Benson CofE Primary School, GoodSir Robert Geffery's Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, GoodWadebridge Primary Academy, GoodSt Mewan Community Primary School, GoodSt Ives Infant School, GoodLudgvan School, Good in every areaPencalenick School, Requires improvement in 1 areaHarrowbarrow Primary Academy, Requires improvementNansloe Academy, Expected standard or betterSt Merryn School, GoodBiscovey Academy, Good in every areaLooe Community Academy, Needs attention in 5 areasWadebridge School, GoodTregolls Academy, Needs attention in 5 areasWhitemoor Academy, GoodPenryn Primary Academy, Needs attention in 5 areasSt Mabyn CofE School, GoodLerryn CofE Primary School, GoodSt Tudy CofE Primary School, GoodSt Petroc's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Good in every areaSt Winnow CofE School, GoodLaunceston College, GoodCaradon Alternative Provision Academy, Good or betterCommunity & Hospital Education Service Ap Academy, OutstandingNine Maidens Alternative Provision Academy, GoodNorth Cornwall Alternative Provision Academy, GoodPenwith Alternative Provision Academy, Good in every areaRestormel Academy, Expected standard or betterSt Newlyn East Learning Academy, GoodTruro Learning Academy, GoodLooe Primary Academy, GoodSt Michael's Church of England Primary School, GoodBraddock CofE Primary School, GoodSummercourt Academy, Good or betterFalmouth Primary Academy, GoodFoxhole Learning Academy, GoodMillbrook CofE Primary School, GoodSt Nicolas' CofE VA School, Downderry, GoodSt Martin's CofE Primary School, GoodBishop Bronescombe CofE School, GoodGrampound Road Village CofE School, GoodLadock C of E School, GoodVeryan CofE School, Needs attention in 6 areasQuethiock CofE School, GoodLandulph School, GoodSt Stephens Community Academy, GoodWindmill Hill Academy, GoodBoyton Community Primary School, Good in every areaCallington Primary School, GoodLewannick Community Primary School, Good in every areaCoverack Primary School, Requires improvementGrade-Ruan CofE Primary School, Requires improvementManaccan Primary School, Requires improvementSt Keverne Primary School, Requires improvementPendeen School, GoodSt Ives School, GoodPenponds School, GoodSt John's Catholic Primary School, Camborne, Needs attention in 1 areaSt Mary's Catholic Primary School, Bodmin, GoodSt Mary's Catholic Primary School, Falmouth, Good or betterSt Mary's Catholic School, Penzance, GoodSt Meriadoc CofE Junior Academy, GoodSt Meriadoc CofE Infant Academy, GoodTroon Community Primary School, GoodFowey River Academy, Good in every areaGulval School, GoodLiskeard Hillfort Primary School, GoodAltarnun Primary School, GoodMawgan-In-Pydar Primary School, GoodOak Tree School, Requires improvementSt Dennis Primary Academy, GoodSt Minver School, GoodDelabole Primary School, GoodTintagel Primary School, GoodTywardreath School, GoodAntony Church of England School, Expected standard or betterMevagissey Community Primary School, GoodCarclaze Community Primary School, Needs attention in 1 areaCopper Valley Infant and Nursery Academy, GoodConnor Downs Academy, GoodPensans Community Primary School, Requires improvementFowey Primary School, Expected standard in every areaAlverton Primary School, Good in every areaLostwithiel School, Strong standard or betterSt Agnes Academy, OutstandingNewlyn School, GoodBlackwater Community Primary School, GoodShortlanesend School, Requires improvement in 1 areaMithian School, GoodSt Stephen Churchtown Academy, GoodSt Just Primary School, GoodCopper Valley Junior Academy, GoodKehelland Village School, GoodNorth Petherwin School, GoodPerranporth Community Primary School, GoodWerrington Community Primary School, GoodGerrans School, GoodTregony Community Primary School, GoodLuxulyan School, GoodChacewater Community Primary School, GoodSt Catherine's CofE Primary School, GoodThreemilestone School, Good or betterMount Charles School, Good or betterRoche Community Primary School, GoodPolperro Primary Academy, GoodLanlivery Primary Academy, GoodPelynt Primary Academy, GoodDarite Primary Academy, GoodSt Erth Community Primary School, GoodBeacon Academy, GoodPolruan Primary Academy, Good in every areaNancledra School, GoodSt Uny CofE Academy, GoodBugle School, GoodCurnow School, OutstandingNancealverne School, GoodConstantine Primary School, GoodTrevisker Primary School, GoodMabe Community Primary School, Good in every areaProbus Primary School, GoodThe Bishops CofE Learning Academy, Good or betterDoubletrees School, GoodBiscovey Nursery and Infants' Academy, GoodPortreath Community Primary School, GoodMousehole School, Strong standard in every areaRosemellin Community Primary School, Needs attention in 3 areasTreloweth Community Primary School, GoodPencoys Primary School, GoodRoskear Primary & Nursery School, GoodWeeth Community Primary School, GoodIllogan School, GoodCallington Community College, GoodSt Mawes Primary School, GoodKennall Vale School, GoodLeedstown Community Primary School, GoodBreage CofE Primary School, Needs attention in 3 areasGarras Community Primary School, Expected standard in every areaGodolphin Primary School, Expected standard or betterHalwin School, Needs attention in 4 areasHelston Community College, GoodMullion Primary School, Good in every areaMullion School, GoodParc Eglos School, Requires improvementPorthleven School, Needs attention in 1 areaSithney Community Primary School, GoodTrannack Primary School, GoodSt Francis CofE Primary School, Needs attention in 1 areaPennoweth Primary School, GoodKing Charles Church of England Primary School, Expected standard or betterWarbstow Primary Academy, Good in every areaMarhamchurch CofE Academy, Requires improvementDobwalls Community Primary School, GoodLiskeard School and Community College, GoodTrewidland Primary School, Expected standard in every areaSt Kew Academy, GoodUpton Cross Academy, GoodDuloe CofE VA Primary Academy, Expected standard or betterCallywith College, OutstandingSennen Community Primary Academy, Expected standard in every areaEgloskerry Primary School, GoodCusgarne Primary School, Expected standard in every areaLanner Primary School, GoodBrannel School, Needs attention in 3 areasHayle Academy, Expected standard or betterBlisland Primary Academy, GoodSt Cleer Primary Academy, GoodTrenode CofE VA Primary Academy, GoodCardinham School, GoodLanivet Community Primary School, GoodBerrycoombe School, Expected standard in every areaCoads Green Primary School, GoodTreviglas Academy, Good in every areaIndian Queens Primary School, Good in every areaSt Issey Church of England Primary School, GoodBude Primary Academy - Infants, Good in every areaBude Primary Academy - Juniors, Good in every areaCape Cornwall School, GoodCamelford Community Primary School, GoodSt Teath Community Primary School, Requires improvement in 1 areaOtterham Community Primary School, GoodSt Breward Community Primary School, Good in every areaSir James Smith's School, GoodNansledan School, GoodPoltair School, GoodRed Moor School, OutstandingPondhu Primary School, GoodThe Lowen School, OutstandingFountain Head House School, InspectedLaunceston Primary School, GoodNewquay Primary Academy, OutstandingSt Dominic CofE Primary School, Outstanding in every areaSt Mellion Church of England Primary School, GoodSky Primary and Eden Project Nursery, Good or betterJacobstow Community Academy, Good in every areaWendron Church of England Primary School, Good or betterCrowan Primary School, Good in every areaSt Mark's CofE Academy, Good in every areaGrampound-With-Creed CofE Primary School, Expected standard or betterNanpean Community Primary School, Needs attention in 1 areaLandewednack Community Primary School, Expected standard or betterPort Isaac Academy, Needs attention in 4 areasCubert Primary School, Requires improvementCardrew Court School, GoodCopper Fields School, Expected standard or betterSt Germans Primary School, Expected standard or betterGoonhavern Primary School, GoodMarazion School, GoodBosvena SchoolPenpol School, Good or betterBishop Cornish Education Centre, Expected standard or betterSkylar, Expected standard in every areaStrawberrys Day Care Ltd, Needs attention in 2 areasSmiley Happy People Trethorne, Expected standard in every areaSmiling Faces Pre-School, GoodWillows Educare, GoodNancledra Preschool, GoodConstantine Preschool, OutstandingWyld Thyngz Forest School Kindergarten, GoodSt Pirans Playschool, GoodMarazion Oasis Childcare Centre, OutstandingFirst Steps Cornwall Ltd - Porthleven, GoodSandcastles Preschool Playgroup, GoodJumblies Day Nursery, GoodChildren Of Towan, GoodMuddy Puddles Childcare, GoodDaisy Fays Tresillian, GoodMarhamchurch Pre School, OutstandingTrelowan Preschool, OutstandingFlying Start Nursery - Redruth, OutstandingSmiley Happy People, GoodBright Eyes Childcare, GoodQuintrell Downs Montessori School, GoodThe Long Garden Early Years Centre, GoodOutside Tribe, OutstandingHappy Days The Playbox, GoodThe Brambles Nursery, GoodHawksfield Nursery, GoodLizard C.H.I.L.D Trust, GoodHighway Farm Activity Centre, GoodSt Mawgan Pre-School, GoodNippers pre school & childcare, GoodLuxulyan Pre School, GoodNewquay Pre-school and Nursery, GoodNaturally Learning Falmouth, OutstandingSmart Start Preschool, GoodWesley Pre School, GoodSmall Wonders Children's Nursery, GoodDelaware Pre School, GoodNaturally Learning Truro, GoodZelda School, OutstandingSt Newlyn East Pre School and After School Club, GoodNanstallon Pre-School, GoodLittle Beebles Pre-School, GoodLittle Wonders Nursery Falmouth, GoodThe Barn Day Nursery, OutstandingFirst Steps Cornwall Ltd - Newquay, GoodRosemellin Gooseberry Bush Day Nursery, Expected standard in every areaSt Erth Nursery, OutstandingSt Keverne Pre-School Playgroup, GoodLowen Harts Day Nursery, GoodStepping Stones Childcare (Cornwall), GoodThe Children's Ark, GoodWestlands Nursery, OutstandingKara Cornwall T/A Sticky Fingers Daycare Nursery, GoodTregadillett Pre-School, GoodLiskeard School Nursery, GoodNaturally Learning Blackwater, OutstandingHelitots Day Nursery, OutstandingRoche Pre-School Playgroup, GoodBoscastle Playschool, GoodWiggles Day Nursery, GoodTrenance Childcare, GoodBaby Bugs Nursery, GoodNurtured Nursery St Winnow, OutstandingLittle Minnows, GoodLittle Tree Woodland School, GoodFlying Gulls, GoodKids Zone, GoodSt Agnes Preschool, GoodDaisy Fays Truro, GoodWindmill Nursery Redruth, GoodNaturally Learning Charlestown, OutstandingBusy Bodies Pre School, GoodBarbican Pre-School, GoodHappy Days Penair, OutstandingSweet Hearts Childcare, GoodMinibugs St Austell, GoodBright Eyes in St Blazey, GoodPitter Patter Playhouse, GoodDucklings Pre School Stoke Climsland, OutstandingKea Preschool, GoodLittle Explorers Nursery, GoodTiny Tots @ Trethorne Ltd, GoodMinibugs Liskeard, GoodDaisy Fays Chiverton, GoodGarras Owlets Preschool, OutstandingHappy Days Day Nursery Falmouth, GoodTorpoint Bandhut Pre-School, GoodDaisy Fays St Ives, GoodNaturally Learning Nansledan, OutstandingThe Learning Tree (Cornwall) Ltd, OutstandingRoche Pebbles Childcare Centre, GoodFlying Start Nursery - Cornwall College, GoodHappy Days Nursery Treloweth Integrated Neighbourhood Nursery, GoodHappy Days Nursery Summercourt, GoodGorran Pre-School, GoodNurture Day Nursery & Pre School, GoodThreemilestone Pre-School, GoodFoundry Under Fives, GoodDobwalls School Nursery, GoodHidden Habitat, OutstandingHelston Day Nursery, GoodSt Columb Minor Preschool, GoodCheldern Nursery and Pre School Limited, GoodFootsteps Childcare Centre, GoodChy Lowen Early Years and Pre-school, GoodBrighteyes, GoodLittle Dolphins Pre-School, OutstandingHopscotch Day Nursery, GoodTruro College Day Nursery, GoodPixieland Saltash, GoodFlying Start Nursery - Camborne, OutstandingHappy Days Truro City, GoodLittle Turtles Nursery, GoodPonsanooth Pre School, GoodNurture Nursery & Pre School Mount Hawke, GoodMajor Steps Childcare, GoodPar Moor Preschool and Nursery, GoodLittle Hearts Nursery, GoodBumbles 'b' day Nursery, GoodWendron Pre School, GoodTideford Montessori Nursery, GoodTARQ'S ARQ Limited, GoodBolitho Nursery, OutstandingHappy Days Penrice, GoodFlying Gulls Nursery Grade Ruan under 5s, GoodHarrowbarrow And Metherell Pre-School, GoodMylor Pre-School, GoodFlying Start @ Illogan, GoodStepping Stones Childcare (Cornwall), GoodSt Tudy Preschool, GoodLittle Wonders Nursery Penryn, GoodPerranporth Pre-School, OutstandingNaturally Learning Redruth, OutstandingDevoran Pre School, GoodButterflies Montessori Nursery, GoodKingfisher Preschool, GoodDoodles and Pops Nursery, GoodAdventure Play DaycareDaisy Fays RoselandDaisy Fays HelstonLittle Explorers Day Nursery & Preschool, Expected standard or betterLanivet and District Under Fives Pre-schoolDaisy Fays Carnon Downs, Expected standard or betterTamar Valley PreschoolKelliwik Childcare LtdTiny Toes ChildcareThe Snug ChildcareRyn Gwari Farm - Nursery, Pre-School & Forest School CIC, Strong standard in every areaDaisy Fays FalmouthLittle Quay Nursery and Learning HubSmiley Happy People Egloskerry, Strong standard in every areaSunhill Pre-school and NurseryCornwall Neighbourhoods for ChangeLittle Otters Children's Centre, GoodSt Nicholas And St Faith Pre-School, GoodStithians Pre-School Playgroup, GoodStepping Stones Pre-School, OutstandingThe Valley Nursery School, OutstandingSt Eval Pre-School, GoodSunny Days Nursery, GoodOasis Community Childcare Centre, OutstandingFowey Pre-School, GoodJack & Jill's Childcare Trevorder, GoodSir Robert Geffery's Preschool, GoodPortreath Pre School, OutstandingStratton Playgroup, GoodMillbrook Pre-School, GoodLittle Merlins Pre-school, GoodSunny Corner Pre-School, GoodIndian Queens under 5's, GoodPensilva Pre-School, GoodMenheniot Pre-school, GoodLittle Acorns Playgroup, GoodPuffins Day Nursery, GoodWest Looe Nursery, GoodTywardreath Pre-School Playgroup, GoodLittle Acorns Nursery, GoodBodmin Pre School, GoodMawnan Pre-School, GoodBumbles Day Nursery Ltd, GoodCrafthole Pre-School, Safeguarding not metBuzy Bees, GoodLandulph Under Fives, GoodThe Crypt Pre-School, Expected standard or betterThe Garden Pre-School, GoodChuckles Nurseries Limited, GoodBudehaven Day Nursery, GoodCamborne NurseryRed River KindergartenLullaby SeaCornish Pixies Nursery
  • Outstanding42
  • Good309
  • Requires improvement12
  • Inadequate1
  • Not graded yet124
Your council

How school places work in Cornwall

Apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another council's area. Independent schools take applications directly.

About Cornwall

Cornwall is a unitary authority in the South West with 236 mainstream primary schools and 31 mainstream secondary schools. Towns with the most schools include Truro, Newquay and Falmouth. Most families get the secondary school they want: 97.4% got their first choice, against 83.6% across England.

Good to know in Cornwall

  • Cornwall calls catchment areas 'designated areas', and the designated school for an address may not be the nearest one. Source
  • Some Cornish towns have more than one designated school, called shared designated areas. Source
  • The designated area decides entitlement to home to school transport, but it is not always a priority in a school's oversubscription criteria. Source
  • Travel assistance applications are considered within 20 working days, and no assistance is provided while an application is being considered. Source
  • If eligible, primary-age children travel by taxi or minibus. Source
  • Cornwall has 23 Family Hubs offering support to families from pre-birth to 19 years old. Source

From Cornwall council's website, checked 7 November 2026. Check the council's pages before you apply.

School admissions team: 0300 1234 101

Key dates each year

31 October
Secondary school applications close
15 January
Primary school applications close
1 March
Secondary school offers
16 April
Primary school offers

If a date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, offers go out the next working day.

95.9%got their first-choice primary school in Cornwall in 2026. England: 92.4%. Ranked 22 of 151 councils. 99.6% got one of their top three.0.3% were offered a primary school in another council. England: 3.6%.

97.4%got their first-choice secondary school in Cornwall in 2026. England: 83.6%. Ranked 2 of 151 councils. 99.3% got one of their top three.2.5% were offered a secondary school in another council. England: 8.0%.

Source: DfE applications and offers, 2026. A low rate shows high demand, not poor schools.

4 of 20 primary appeals heard in Cornwall succeeded in 2025. 19 of 46 secondary appeals heard in Cornwall succeeded in 2025.

Term dates 2026 to 2027

TermStartsHalf termEnds
Autumn3 Sept26 Oct to 30 Oct18 Dec
Spring4 Jan15 Feb to 19 Feb25 Mar
Summer12 Apr31 May to 4 Jun23 Jul

For schools that follow the council's dates. Academies, faith and foundation schools can set their own, and schools add training days. Source, checked 6 November 2026.

By age

What's on offer for each age

Pick a stage to see every Cornwall school for that age, with filters for type, faith and Ofsted grade.

More ways to narrow it down

Here's how Cornwall's schools break down by type, faith and more.

Towns

Schools in each part of Cornwall

The blue bar is the average Eduscope score of the primary schools in each town. The black line is the Cornwall average, 46.

Browse Cornwall by postcode

Some areas, like parts of a bigger town, are easiest to find by postcode.

Cornwall vs England

How good are Cornwall's schools?

Inspections, exam results and attendance, next to the figure for England where we have it.

Numbers that sum up Cornwall

CornwallEngland

  • Primaries rated Good or Outstanding

    Latest Ofsted grade, 163 primaries with one.

    93%

    England 96%

    Close to England

  • Secondaries rated Good or Outstanding

    20 of the 20 with a grade.

    100%

    England 93%

    Above England

  • Met the expected standard at 11

    Reading, writing and maths.

    60%

    England 62%

    Close to England

  • Grade 5 or above in English and maths

    At GCSE.

    44%

  • Pupils who miss a lot of school

    Missed 1 in 10 days or more. Lower is better.

    19%

    England 18%

    Close to England

  • Primary pupils on free school meals

    A sign of family income, not of school quality.

    22%

Ofsted grades

Latest graded inspection for the 198 schools that have one.

93%

Good or Outstanding

Each square is 1% of schools.

  • Outstanding12
  • Good173
  • Requires improvement12
  • Inadequate1

How it has changed

Cornwall in blue. There were no tests in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid.

Met the expected standard at 11
Covid gap50%60%70%20182019202320242025
60% in 2025. England now 62% (dashed line).
Grade 5 or above in English and maths
30%45%60%201820192020202120222023202420252026
44% in 2026.
Pupils who miss a lot of school
Covid gap0%20%40%20142015201620172018201920212022202320242025
19% in 2025. England now 18% (dashed line).

The figures in full

The latest published year for each measure. Sources and years are on our data sources page.

MeasureCornwallEngland
Good or Outstanding (Ofsted)93%95%
Met the expected standard at 11 (KS2)60%62%
Attainment 845.546.2
Persistent absence19%18%
Pupils per teacher18.3:117.9:1
Spending per pupil£7,451£8,120
In education or work after 1692%91%
Went on to higher education35%56%
Pupils with special educational needs21%21%
Pupils with English as an additional language4%22%
Pupils on free school meals24%27%

DfE local authority code 908, ONS code E06000052.

Living here

What it's like for families

Cornwall has 488 schools and nurseries across 18 towns and villages, the biggest being Truro, Newquay, Falmouth and Redruth.

There are 2% fewer pupils than in 2018.

22% of primary pupils here get free school meals. Schools get extra money for each of them.

Pupil numbers

Pupils in Cornwall's state schools each January.

Down 2% since 2018.

Free school meals

Out of every 10 primary pupils, how many get free school meals. It's a sign of family income, not of school quality.

Cornwall22%

Keep up with schools in Cornwall

Follow any school and we'll email you when it gets a new Ofsted report or new results are out. Nothing else.

Find a school to follow
Questions

Questions parents ask about Cornwall

How many schools are in Cornwall?

Cornwall has 488 schools, including 259 primary schools, 55 secondary schools, 194 nurseries, 14 independent schools, 14 special schools. Some count in more than one group. You can browse each category using the filters on Eduscope.

What are the best schools in Cornwall?

The highest-ranked schools in Cornwall on Eduscope are Mawnan CofE VA Primary School, Lostwithiel School, Antony Church of England School. We rank each state school against schools of the same phase across England on its Ofsted inspection, results and attendance. Independent, special and nursery schools aren't ranked.

What percentage of schools in Cornwall are rated Good or Outstanding?

93% of inspected schools in Cornwall hold a Good or Outstanding Ofsted rating, which is below the England average of 94.8%. This includes 12 schools rated Outstanding and 173 rated Good.

How do primary schools in Cornwall perform at Key Stage 2?

Across primary schools in Cornwall, 60% of pupils meet the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths at Key Stage 2. This is based on the latest published results from the Department for Education.

What is the average pupil-teacher ratio in Cornwall?

The average pupil-teacher ratio across schools in Cornwall is 18.3:1. While not a direct measure of class size, this indicates the level of teaching resource available per pupil. Across England it is 17.9:1.

What is the persistent absence rate in Cornwall schools?

The persistent absence rate across schools in Cornwall is 18.8%. A pupil is classed as persistently absent if they miss 10% or more of school sessions. Across England it is 18.1%.

How many pupils attend schools in Cornwall?

There are 71,237 pupils enrolled across schools in Cornwall, with 40,017 in primary and 31,077 in secondary. 23.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals.

How many private schools are in Cornwall?

There are 14 independent schools in Cornwall, all special schools for children with special educational needs, where councils usually pay the fees. You can compare them on Eduscope, including inspection reports where available.

How do I choose the right school in Cornwall?

Start by considering your child's age, your location, and whether you prefer a state or independent school. Use Eduscope to compare 488 schools in Cornwall by Ofsted ratings, exam results, and distance. Filter by school type, gender, religious character, and admissions policy to narrow your options.

Sources: DfE school performance tables, DfE school census and workforce, DfE pupil absence, Ofsted. Photos are stand-ins.

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