Overall Oxbridge
#1,764
1 ranked schools · -850 places vs Eng avg #914 of 1,983
Applications
14
Offers
1
Offer rate7.1%
-15.3 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 22.4%
Schools in Barnstaple
Licensed to trade wool since the fourteenth century, Barnstaple is North Devon's principal market town, set where the River Taw reaches its lowest crossing point before the Bristol Channel. Around 24,000 people live here today. The Tarka Line runs to Exeter in roughly an hour, the town's main rail link to the wider region. The Victorian Pannier Market, with its glass and timber roof on iron columns, anchors a compact centre that grew through shipbuilding, foundries, and sawmills after the medieval harbour silted. West Buckland and Swimbridge are the most school-competitive pockets for families targeting primary catchments, while Sticklepath and Pilton form established residential neighbourhoods within the town.
24
Primary
schools
2
Secondary
schools
1
All-through
schools
3
Special
schools
of which3sixth forms·8faith30 total
Area Performance
Barnstaple schools rank in the top 65% of England
Across 29 primary, secondary and sixth-form schools, state and independent. The average Find My School Inspection Score is 6.99/10, -0.41 vs England.
Find My School Inspection Band
0% Elite
Distribution across all Barnstaple schools
ExcellentGoodDeveloping
Barnstaple vs England distribution
National Rank
Top 65%
Across all ranked Barnstaple schools
Top 70%Primaryavg #10,559 of 14,978
Top 41%Secondaryavg #1,575 of 3,861
Top 24%Sixth formavg #602 of 2,554
Primary schools: 23 schools (state + independent)
LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
6.8/10
-0.50 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.3/10
Average national rank
#10,559
-20 pts vs medianmedian 7,489
top 70% of 14,978
% reaching expected RWM standardstate
54%
-8 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 62%
% reaching higher RWM standardstate
4%
-4 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 8%
Average FMS Inspection Score
6.8/10
-0.50 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.3/10
Average national rank
#10,559
-20 pts vs medianmedian 7,489
top 70% of 14,978
% reaching expected RWM standardstate
54%
-8 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 62%
% reaching higher RWM standardstate
4%
-4 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 8%
Secondary schools: 3 schools (state + independent)
LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.2/10
-0.16 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.4/10
Average national rank
#1,575
+9 pts vs medianmedian 1,931
top 41% of 3,861
% achieving grades 9-7 (A*-A)state
44%
-12 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 56%
Attainment 8 score (out of 90)state
49.0
+9.9 vs Eng avgEng avg 39.1
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.2/10
-0.16 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.4/10
Average national rank
#1,575
+9 pts vs medianmedian 1,931
top 41% of 3,861
% achieving grades 9-7 (A*-A)state
44%
-12 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 56%
Attainment 8 score (out of 90)state
49.0
+9.9 vs Eng avgEng avg 39.1
Sixth form schools: 3 schools (state + independent)
LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.8/10
+0.11 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.7/10
Average national rank
#602
+26 pts vs medianmedian 1,277
top 24% of 2,554
% A*-A at A-Level
37%
+12 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 25%
% A*-B at A-Level
66%
+15 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 50%
Average FMS Inspection Score
7.8/10
+0.11 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.7/10
Average national rank
#602
+26 pts vs medianmedian 1,277
top 24% of 2,554
% A*-A at A-Level
37%
+12 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 25%
% A*-B at A-Level
66%
+15 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 50%
Oxford
#287
1 ranked schools · -34 places vs Eng avg #253 of 1,197
Applications
4
Offers
0
Offer rate0.0%
-15.1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 15.1%
Cambridge
#1,800
1 ranked schools · -1027 places vs Eng avg #773 of 1,880
Applications
10
Offers
1
Offer rate10.0%
-19.4 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 29.4%
Top 3 Primary Schools
2026
Barnstaple
Top 3 Secondary Schools
2026
Barnstaple
1 Sixth Form
2026
Barnstaple
Local directory
School profiles in Barnstaple
Browse 27 local profile links across primary schools and secondary schools. Each profile brings together admissions context, performance data, inspection history and school details in one place.
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