The Park Community School Review 2026: Academic Growth and Community Pride in North Devon

The Park Community School is a mixed, 11 to 16 secondary academy serving over 1,400 students in Barnstaple. As one of the largest schools in the region, it combines a long established history in the Pilton area with a modern, forward looking curriculum as part of the Tarka Learning Partnership. Academic performance has seen steady improvement, with the school currently ranking 2nd among Barnstaple secondaries. Recent evaluations highlight a school on an upward trajectory, with a strong focus on ensuring every student, regardless of their starting point, has the opportunity to succeed within a supportive and disciplined environment.

The atmosphere at The Park is energetic and orderly, facilitated by its unique House system. Students are divided into five houses, Chichester, Drake, Fortescue, Kingsley, and Raleigh, which serve as the primary units for pastoral care, internal competition, and identity. This structure helps a large school feel personal, ensuring students are known as individuals by their House staff and peers.

Ms Victoria Owen, appointed as Headteacher in September 2023, has brought a clear vision centered on high expectations and community engagement. The school site on Park Lane blends traditional buildings with specialist modern facilities, including well equipped technology workshops and science laboratories. The school is deeply rooted in North Devon, often participating in local events and fostering a sense of civic responsibility among its students.

The Park Community School ranks 1,450th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This position places the school solidly within the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), reflecting consistent performance in a competitive national context. Locally, it ranks 2nd among the five secondary schools in the Barnstaple area, making it a leading choice for families in the town.

In 2024, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 48, which exceeds the England average of 46.2. This metric tracks student achievement across eight key subjects, indicating that students at The Park are performing better than the national typical standard. Furthermore, 48% of students achieved a grade 5 or above in both English and mathematics, which is significantly higher than the local authority average for Devon.

The school's Progress 8 score of -0.13 suggests that, on average, students make slightly less progress than their peers nationally from their starting points in primary school. However, current internal data suggests this gap is narrowing as recent curriculum reforms take effect. The school remains particularly strong in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects, where 22.8% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above, surpassing the national typical entry and achievement rates.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, designed to meet the needs of a diverse student population. In the lower years, there is a heavy emphasis on core literacy and numeracy, with specialist teaching in the arts and technology. The school uses Knowledge Organisers across many subjects to help students structure their revision and consolidate key facts.

In Key Stage 4, the options process is flexible, offering both traditional GCSEs and high quality vocational courses. Teachers are noted for their subject expertise and their ability to tailor lessons to different ability levels. The school has invested heavily in digital learning platforms to support homework and independent study, which has been particularly well received by students in the older year groups.

Where Students Go Next

As a school for 11 to 16 year olds, the transition at the end of Year 11 is a significant focus. The vast majority of students progress to Petroc College in Barnstaple, which offers a wide range of A-levels, T-levels, and vocational diplomas. Other students travel further afield to Exeter or North Somerset for specialist agricultural or sporting colleges.

Careers guidance is integrated into the curriculum from Year 7, with annual careers fairs and dedicated one to one sessions for Year 11 students. The school maintains strong links with local employers in engineering, healthcare, and tourism, ensuring that students are well informed about apprenticeship opportunities in the South West.

Admissions are coordinated by Devon County Council. The Park is a popular school and is often oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school received 338 applications for 270 places, representing a subscription proportion of 1.27.

Priority is given to children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), followed by looked after children and siblings of current students. Distance from the school gates is the primary factor for other applicants. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school compared to previous offer distances.

Pastoral care is a clear strength, anchored by the House system. Each student has a tutor who provides daily support, and a Head of House who oversees academic and social progress. This layered approach ensures that wellbeing is monitored closely.

The school has recently enhanced its mental health provision, with a dedicated wellbeing center and trained staff available for students needing emotional support. The "Park Standards" for behavior are clear and consistently applied, fostering a respectful environment. Bullying is dealt with proactively, with a focus on restorative justice and education.

The extracurricular programme is extensive and well attended. Sport is a major pillar of school life, with high participation in rugby, netball, and athletics. The school regularly competes at a county level and has produced several athletes who have gone on to represent Devon.

Creative arts also flourish, with an annual school production that involves over 100 students in performance, technical crew, and set design. Specific clubs such as the Coding Club, the Debating Society, and the Eco-Schools committee provide students with opportunities to pursue niche interests. The school also has a long standing tradition with the Ten Tors challenge on Dartmoor and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, which are highlights of the school calendar.

The school day runs from 8:40 am to 3:10 pm. The site is easily accessible via footpaths from Pilton and local bus routes. For families seeking wraparound care, the school runs various after school clubs until 4:15 pm, though specific details on childcare are not published; families should contact the school office directly for the latest information.

• Ofsted Trajectory: The school was rated Good in its most recent inspection in June 2025, a significant improvement from its previous Requires Improvement status. Parents should review the latest report to see the specific areas where the school has excelled.
• Large Size: With over 1,400 students, the school environment is busy. While the House system manages this well, it may be a factor for children who prefer a smaller, more intimate setting.
• 11 to 16 Phase: Students must be prepared to change institutions at 16. While Petroc is the standard route, it requires students to be proactive in their college applications during Year 11.
• Admissions Pressure: Being oversubscribed means that families living further than a few miles from the school may find it difficult to secure a place on distance alone.

The Park Community School is a high performing comprehensive that combines academic ambition with a genuine heart for its community. Its 2nd place ranking in Barnstaple and above average Attainment 8 scores make it a compelling choice for local families. Best suited to students who will thrive in a larger environment and make the most of the diverse extracurricular opportunities on offer. The main hurdle remains securing a place due to its consistent popularity.