The Five Islands Academy occupies a position unlike any other school in England. Serving the entirety of the Isles of Scilly, this all-through academy provides education for children from age three to sixteen across the country's most geographically distinct local authority. With the main base at St Mary’s and three smaller bases on the off-islands of St Agnes, Bryher, and St Martin’s, the academy is the heartbeat of the archipelago’s community. Its 2024 results show a school that effectively manages these logistical complexities, ranking 1st locally for both primary and secondary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). At 1,793rd in England for GCSE outcomes, the academy maintains a solid performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).
Life at The Five Islands Academy is defined by the maritime environment. The school operates as a multi-site institution where the rhythm of the tides and the availability of boat transfers are integrated into the school day. The main site at Carn Gwaval on St Mary’s provides a modern, centralised hub; meanwhile, the off-island bases offer an intimate, small-scale primary experience where children might start their day catching a boat between islands or learning in an outdoor parachute classroom.
Mrs Rachel Gibb, the Headteacher, leads an institution that is deeply integrated into the local Church of England identity. The school’s character is one of resilience and community. Students here grow up with a profound sense of place and a unique level of independence. The 2023 Ofsted inspection rated Personal Development as Outstanding, noting the school's success in broadening horizons. This is not just a school; it is the sole provider of education for a whole community, which creates a shared sense of responsibility among students and staff alike.
The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
The 2024 academic data highlights strong performance across both key stages. In the primary phase, 80% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, significantly outperforming the England average of 62%. Performance at the higher standard was particularly impressive; 19% of pupils achieved greater depth in all three subjects, compared to the England average of 8%. The academy ranks 1st in the Isles of Scilly for primary outcomes, placing it among the highest-performing locally.
At the secondary level, the academy continues to deliver solid outcomes. The average Attainment 8 score of 52.8 exceeds the England average. Most notably, the Progress 8 score of +1.07 is exceptional, indicating that students make significantly more progress between Year 7 and Year 11 than their peers with similar starting points across England. The school ranks 1st locally for GCSE outcomes, placing it within the top 40% of secondary schools nationally.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Reading, Writing & Maths
80%
% of pupils achieving expected standard
The curriculum is designed to make the most of the islands' unique geography and heritage. Being an all-through school allows for a seamless transition from the primary years into the secondary phase, with teachers having a long-term view of each child's development. On the off-islands, mixed-age classes are the norm, requiring highly adaptable teaching strategies to ensure all pupils progress.
In the secondary phase, the academy offers a broad range of subjects, though the small cohort size means some options are more focused than in large mainland schools. There is a strong emphasis on outdoor learning and environmental stewardship, reflecting the islands' status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The 2024 Ebacc Average Point Score (APS) of 4.25 sits slightly above the England average of 4.08, reflecting a balanced academic diet.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Good
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
Because the academy only provides education up to age 16, the transition at the end of Year 11 is a significant life event for every student. Most students progress to mainland colleges or sixth forms in Cornwall and beyond, such as Truro and Penwith College. To support this, the academy operates Mundesley House, a dedicated boarding facility on St Mary’s for off-island students during the week.
The school works closely with mainland providers to ensure students are prepared for the social and academic shift of leaving the islands. Career guidance is a priority, focusing on both local opportunities within the islands' economy and broader national pathways. The school recently introduced Future Moves practice interviews to prepare Year 11 students for mainland college applications.
As the only school in the local authority, admissions are straightforward for island residents. The academy serves all children living on the Isles of Scilly. For families moving to the islands, applications are coordinated through the Isles of Scilly Council. The academy accepts all students of compulsory school age who live on the islands.
The academy provides nursery provision from age three, offering an integrated start to school life. Parents looking for nursery details should visit the school website; government-funded hours are available for eligible families. See our guide to nursery funding for further information.
Pastoral care is a clear strength, necessitated by the school's unique context. The academy acts as a second home, especially for those students from off-islands who board at Mundesley House during the school week. Staff are highly attuned to the emotional needs of students who are preparing for a major transition to the mainland.
The Church of England character provides a framework for the school's values, focusing on Equity, Excellence, and Evolution. The latest inspection confirmed that behaviour is good and students feel safe. For students with special educational needs, the academy provides tailored support within the mainstream setting, and was recently accredited as an Area of Excellence for its SEND provision by Challenge Partners.
Extracurricular life is heavily influenced by the islands' geography. Water sports, including sailing and rowing, are central to the physical education and enrichment programmes. The academy makes excellent use of the local environment for field trips and scientific study, such as studying The Tempest on the beach.
Students participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, which is particularly popular given the ideal terrain for expeditions. Music and drama also play a significant role in school life, with performances often serving as major community events for the islands' residents. The school also offers a variety of lunch and after school clubs, ranging from engineering to coastal studies.
As a state-funded academy, The Five Islands Academy does not charge tuition fees. It is a state school with no tuition fees. However, the school provides a unique boarding service at Mundesley House for students from the off-islands. While this is state-supported, the Parent Liaison Group has previously requested a voluntary contribution toward the boarding house's running costs. Parents should contact the school directly for any specific costs associated with residential stays or specialist trips.
The school day at the St Mary’s site typically runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm for primary and until 3:15pm for secondary. Timings are coordinated to align with the off-island boat schedules. In January 2025, the school announced the introduction of wraparound care for primary-aged children at the St Mary's Base, providing support beyond regular school hours.
Transport for students from St Agnes, Bryher, St Martin’s, and Tresco is provided via school boats, a daily logistical feat managed by the academy and local boatmen.
The Five Islands Academy is an extraordinary school that successfully provides a high-quality, stable education in a challenging geographic context. Its 2024 results, particularly the exceptional Progress 8 score, prove that island students are achieving at a level that rivals and often exceeds mainland peers. Best suited to families living on the Isles of Scilly who value a close-knit, community-focused education that prepares children for the independence of the mainland while celebrating the unique heritage of the islands. Families can use the Saved Schools feature to keep track of this unique option during their relocation planning.
Yes. The Five Islands Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in October 2023, with Personal Development graded as Outstanding. Its 2024 results place it 1st locally, and its Progress 8 score of +1.07 is well above the England average.
This is a state-funded school, so there are no tuition fees. For students from off-islands who board at Mundesley House, costs are largely covered by the state, though the school may request voluntary contributions for certain residential costs.
Primary children on off-islands often attend their local base school. Older students and those on specific islands travel to the St Mary’s base by boat. For many secondary students, this involves boarding at the school's residential house during the week.
Yes, the academy offers nursery provision for children starting from age three. For details on sessions and fees, parents should visit the school website.
As the academy only goes up to age 16, all students must move to the mainland for post-16 education. Common destinations include Truro and Penwith College in Cornwall.
Get in touch with the school directly
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