The Ilfracombe Church of England Academy Review 2026: A School Committed to Turning Around Outcomes

Built in 1970 as Britain's first purpose-built comprehensive school, opened by then Education Secretary Margaret Thatcher, The Ilfracombe Academy occupies a spectacular coastal site overlooking the town and Bristol Channel. Nearly 1,000 students aged 11-18 learn here, drawing from a wide geographical spread across North Devon's Exmoor and coastal communities. The school's Christian values shape daily life, with leadership focused on closing the attainment gap for disadvantaged families. Latest performance data shows significant improvement: in 2024, 59% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths, up sharply from 38% the previous year, positioning the school 3rd in Devon. Progress 8 scores improved from -0.54 to +0.48, reflecting above-average progress for students. This is a state school with no tuition fees, part of Athena Learning Trust since 2023.

The buildings tell their own story. The original structure, designed in the early 1970s as a revolutionary model of comprehensive education, blends purpose-built learning spaces with modern extensions. A £3.4 million arts block, the Beacon Arts Centre, opened in 2007 and houses state-of-the-art drama and music facilities. Post-16 students occupy their own dedicated five-storey sixth form block, completed in 2017.

Headteacher Steve Rogers has built a reputation for driving transformation in a school serving one of England's most deprived areas. His focus is uncompromising: character development rooted in Christian values sits alongside academic ambition. The school's Christian vision, "Learning together for Life in All Its Fullness," frames everything from pastoral support to curriculum design. Eight core values — Hope, Kindness, Courage, Integrity, Trust, Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience — are not merely displayed but actively embedded in teaching and behaviour expectations.

The atmosphere reflects this clarity of purpose. Staff work in deliberate partnership across pastoral, SEND, and safeguarding teams to support students in mainstream classrooms rather than segregating them into separate provision. Recent inspection feedback under the SIAMS framework (Anglican school inspection) praised the school for fostering "a strong culture of care, dignity, hope, and resilience." The campus feels purposeful: classrooms busy with engaged learners, sports fields in use, and the arts spaces humming with activity.

GCSE Performance

The most recent GCSE data (2024) reveals accelerating progress. An Attainment 8 score of 50.8 sits solid for the year, while Progress 8 of +0.48 indicates pupils made above-average progress compared to similar students nationally. This improvement is striking: in 2023, Progress 8 stood at -0.54, reflecting below-average progress. The turnaround in just one year is substantial.

For English and Maths combined, 59% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in 2024, compared to 38% in 2023. This 21-percentage-point improvement underscores intensive curriculum and behaviour reforms. At the higher standard (grade 7 and above), 4% achieved the English Baccalaureate threshold. Entry to GCSE English Baccalaureate qualifications remains low at 4%, narrowing the range of facilitating subjects some students access for university progression.

The school ranks 2001st in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle 35% of schools nationally. Locally, it ranks 1st in North Devon — a position reflecting the reality that few secondary schools operate in this rural county. Families seeking context should note that improving scores, strong leadership, and above-average Progress 8 all signal genuine educational gain.

A-Level and Sixth Form

A-level cohorts are smaller (around 60 leavers annually). The school offers a mix of traditional A-levels and BTEC qualifications. A-level pass rates hover at 98%, with 38% achieving A*/A grades and 59% reaching A*-B. These figures exceed England averages for A*-A (roughly 24%) and A*-B (roughly 47%), placing sixth form attainment well above the national norm.

The school ranks 1805th nationally for A-level results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the lower 35% of sixth form providers nationally. This reflects both the smaller sixth form cohort and competition from larger independent and selective state schools. However, on pass rates and grade distribution, the sixth form performs creditably.

Oxbridge and Destinations

In 2024, one student secured an Oxbridge place (Cambridge), with one further application. Over a three-year period, Oxbridge numbers remain modest but consistent. Of leavers in the 2023-24 cohort, 42% progressed to university, 5% to further education, 2% to apprenticeships, and 25% to employment. These figures align with schools serving predominantly non-selective, working-class communities. The school's mission includes supporting students towards diverse post-16 pathways — not only university — reflecting North Devon's economic context.

The curriculum reflects a deliberate commitment to breadth combined with targeted support for disadvantaged learners. All students remain in mainstream classrooms with specialist staff, rather than being withdrawn into parallel provision. This inclusive model requires careful planning and high-quality teaching, which inspection feedback and recent results suggest is increasingly in place.

Corrective reading programmes and self-regulation strategies feature prominently. Rather than relying on outdated interventions, staff teach students metacognitive approaches to learning — how to manage focus, pace themselves, and develop resilience during challenging tasks. Maths and English receive extra support time for students not meeting grade 4 (pass standard) at GCSE, with resit preparation continuing into sixth form Year 13 if needed.

Subject departments are led by experienced heads: Science (Mr Twomey), Modern Foreign Languages, Drama, and others bring deep expertise. The school offers facilitating A-level subjects (sciences, mathematics, history, languages) alongside vocational options, giving students genuine choice aligned to their aspirations.

Pastoral organisation follows a Year structure with Heads of Year (including Nick Beesly, Rupert Tilley, James Greenaway, Toby Cooke, and Phil McDonald) supported by Pastoral Coordinators. Mental Health and Wellbeing provision includes a dedicated webpage signposting support services. Safeguarding is rated as effective, with Julia Tilley as Safeguarding Lead overseeing strong protocols.

The school acknowledges that behaviour and bullying present ongoing challenges. Recent Ofsted findings noted rises in suspensions and pupil concerns about bullying resolution. The school is working to strengthen behaviour culture and anti-bullying response, with mixed early impact. Parents considering this school should recognise these challenges as real but also note that transparent leadership and targeted intervention are underway.

Arts provision is a genuine school strength, anchored by the Beacon Arts Centre. Drama is vibrant: recent productions include Frozen Jr and stage adaptations of Shakespeare. The Drama Department runs international trips (New York City for advanced groups). St Christopher's Hall hosts school performances and community events.

Music is supported by a fully equipped Music Centre with recording facilities, keyboard network, and dedicated teaching spaces. While not a specialist music school, the programme offers breadth — students from across the school engage in choir, orchestra, and ensemble work.

Sports facilities span the campus and adjacent Killacleave Sports Field. Available provision includes a gymnasium, sports hall, multi-gym, hard courts, a 10-metre climbing wall, and 3G all-weather pitch. Team sports (rugby, football, tennis, netball) are strong, with Year 8 rugby teams competing at regional level. Outdoor education is supported through partnerships with Exmoor Centre, enabling activities including coasteering, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

STEM facilities are extensive: 10 science laboratories, 9 technology workshops, and networked IT suites support practical learning. A careers library and guidance centre support Post-16 planning. Library and study facilities are well-stocked with physical and digital resources.

Technology heritage runs deep: since the early 1980s, the school has maintained a television studio with editing suite, reflecting its former Media Arts specialism status (2004-2007). While broadcasting no longer operates, media production teaching continues.

Enrichment for sixth form students includes organised university visits, voluntary work projects, and charity events coordinated by staff responsible for enrichment. The combined student body generates sufficient scale for societies, competitions, and leadership opportunities across academic, sporting, and creative domains.

Admissions to Year 7 operate through Devon's coordinated process. Published Admission Number is 210 in Year 7 and 30 in Year 12. In September 2024, 140 places were offered to 161 applications — a ratio of 1:1.15, indicating modest oversubscription. Places are allocated by distance after looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school. No formal catchment boundary exists, but last distance offered varies year on year.

Sixth form admission is open to students within the school (automatic progression if meeting entry criteria) and external applicants from other schools in North Devon. Entry requirements typically include grade 4 in GCSE English and Mathematics. Students not achieving grade 4 must resit these qualifications alongside their Level 3 studies (A-levels or BTECs).

The school operates on a traditional academic calendar with school hours of 8:50am to 3:20pm for main school, extended for sixth form. Termly structures follow Devon's standard pattern.

As a state school, there are no tuition fees. No uniform is explicitly referenced on current materials, but families should contact the school directly to confirm uniform policy and any associated costs. School meals operate on a cashless system. After-school clubs and wraparound care are not detailed on published pages; families should contact the school directly.

Transport is significant given the wide rural catchment. Bus routes serve Woolacombe, Exmoor communities, Lynton, and the Somerset border. Some pupils face journeys of 45+ minutes. The Exmoor Centre (used for outdoor activities) sits further afield, requiring coach transport for residential trips. Nearby rail stations include Barnstaple (14 miles), the closest mainline rail link.

Requires Improvement rating is current. The May 2023 Ofsted inspection rated the school Requires Improvement, though this rating predates the dramatic 2024 results improvement and reflects assessment against challenging frameworks. Parents should weigh this official rating against recent performance gains, leadership changes, and external recognition (the school was named among the most improved nationally for disadvantaged students in 2024-25). Significant progress has occurred, but the school remains in improvement trajectory rather than established strength.

Wide catchment and transport logistics. Pupils travel from villages across North Devon, with some journeys exceeding an hour. Before committing, verify distance and transport feasibility, especially for students with complex timetables or additional needs.

Behaviour and bullying remain under development. While staff deal with incidents and safeguarding is effective, pupils report inconsistent confidence in bullying resolution. Families with children who have experienced bullying elsewhere should seek assurance about the school's specific anti-bullying protocols during visits.

State school model with comprehensive intake. This is a non-selective community school serving mixed ability intake across North Devon. There is no pastoral segregation for SEND students; all learn in mainstream classrooms with support. This inclusive model works well for many families but requires parents comfortable with comprehensive, mixed-ability settings.

The Ilfracombe Academy is a school in genuine turnaround. Leadership is clear about its mission: close the attainment gap for the county's most disadvantaged students through high standards, inclusive teaching, and character development rooted in Christian values. Results in 2024 justify optimism — the 21-point jump in English and Maths pass rates and +1.02 Progress 8 improvement signal real educational gain.

However, the Requires Improvement rating (May 2023) and ongoing behaviour challenges mean this is not yet an established high-performing school. It is a school committing to raise standards and demonstrating early success. For families seeking a school with clear values, inclusive provision, and genuine focus on disadvantaged learners, with recent evidence of improvement, this is worth serious consideration. Best suited to families within the wide rural catchment who value Christian ethos, are comfortable with non-selective mixed-ability education, and want to support their children through a school focused on closing opportunity gaps. Families seeking an already-established top-performing school may wish to consider alternatives.