"Expect the Best" is not just a motto painted on the wall at Redruth School; it is a directive that permeates the corridors of this large foundation school. Serving the historic mining town and its surrounding villages, the school acts as a genuine community hub, balancing a commitment to academic standards with a distinctively warm, local character.
Under the leadership of Headteacher Craig Bonds, who took the helm in 2023, the school has maintained its standing as a pillar of education in West Cornwall. The most recent Ofsted inspection, published in November 2024, confirmed the school remains Good, praising its inclusivity and the "Redruth Way" ethos that fosters respect and determination.
With nearly 1,500 students, this is a large, busy environment, but the House system—honouring local legends like Brunel and Murdoch—ensures no child feels lost in the crowd. The campus blends historic buildings with impressive modern sports facilities, including one of the few state school swimming pools in the county.
Entering the site at Tolgus Vean, the atmosphere is purposeful. Students are smart in their black blazers with red crests, and behaviour in corridors is generally calm. The school prides itself on being a "local school for local children," and there is a tangible sense of shared identity here; many staff are former pupils, and families often have multi-generational links to the institution.
The curriculum is underpinned by the "Future4" programme, which covers life skills, citizenship, and wellbeing. This signals a school that sees its role as broader than just exam preparation. Inclusivity is a major strength; the on-site Area Resource Base (ARB) supports students with complex needs, and their integration into the wider school life fosters a genuine culture of acceptance among the student body.
Academic outcomes at Redruth School are solid and reliable. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 45.3, placing it broadly in line with the England average of 46. This score reflects a consistent delivery of grades 4 and 5 across the core subjects, ensuring students leave with the qualifications needed for college entry.
The school ranks 1st among secondary schools in the immediate Redruth area for GCSE outcomes. On a broader scale, it sits within the "national typical" band (25th to 60th percentile), ranking 2,419th in England.
Progress 8 scores (-0.18) indicate that students make progress roughly in line with national expectations. While there is room to stretch the most able further, the school is particularly effective at securing strong passes in English and Mathematics, with extensive intervention programmes in place for those who need extra support.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The school maintains a three-year Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), resisting the trend to shorten this foundational period. This allows students to enjoy a broad range of subjects—including Drama, Music, and Art—without the pressure of GCSE choices looming too early.
Literacy is a key focus. Every Key Stage 3 student participates in the Accelerated Reader programme, and "drop everything and read" sessions are a regular feature. Teachers are subject specialists, and lessons are structured to build confidence. In Design and Technology, the school has retained facilities that others have cut, allowing for practical work in food, textiles, and resistant materials.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
Redruth School offers education from 11 to 16, meaning there is no sixth form. This requires students to transition to a new provider after Year 11, a process the school manages with robust careers guidance starting in Year 9.
The vast majority of leavers progress to Truro College (for A-levels and IB) or Cornwall College (for vocational courses and apprenticeships). The school has strong links with both, and transition days ensure the move is smooth. A small number of students also progress to Exeter College or specialised apprenticeships in local engineering firms.
Admissions are coordinated by Cornwall Council. As a popular school, Redruth is often oversubscribed. In the most recent cycle, there were 601 applications for roughly 270 places, making it a competitive choice.
Applications
601
Total received
Places Offered
293
Subscription Rate
2.0x
Apps per place
The House system is the engine of pastoral care. Students are placed into one of four houses: Marconi, Holman, Murdoch, or Brunel. These vertical tutor groups allow younger students to mix with older peers, creating a "family within a school" feel.
Pastoral support officers are non-teaching staff available throughout the day to handle immediate concerns, from lost anxieties to friendship issues. The "Future4" curriculum ensures mental health and resilience are taught explicitly, not just dealt with when things go wrong.
Extracurricular life is where Redruth School truly excels, particularly in sport and outdoor education.
The facilities are exceptional for a state school. The site boasts a 25m swimming pool, a "Supergrass" synthetic pitch, and the Craig Martin Sports Centre (named after the former head).
The school fields strong teams for the Ten Tors challenge, with students training on Bodmin Moor to build resilience and teamwork.
The Greenpower electric car racing team is a flagship activity, where students design, build, and race their own vehicles at circuits like Goodwood.
The annual school production and Christmas concert are major events, often involving hundreds of students and drawing large audiences from the town.
Redruth School is a State-funded Foundation School, meaning there are no tuition fees. Education is free for all pupils.
State-funded school (families may still pay for uniforms, trips, and optional activities).
08:30 – 15:00.
Black blazer with red crest, white shirt, school tie, black trousers/skirt. Polishable black shoes are mandatory.
School buses serve the surrounding catchment villages. Families should check eligibility for free transport with Cornwall Council.
Redruth School is a dependable, high-functioning community school that offers far more than just exam grades. With its Good rating reaffirmed in late 2024 and outstanding sports facilities, it provides a rich educational experience. It is best suited to students who want to get involved—whether in the pool, on the stage, or on the moor—and who will thrive in a busy, grounded, and supportive environment.
Yes. Ofsted rated the school Good in its most recent inspection report (published November 2024). Inspectors highlighted the strong community ethos and inclusive culture.
You must apply through Cornwall Council's school admissions team. The deadline for Year 7 applications is 31 October for entry the following September. Late applications are processed after on-time ones, significantly reducing your chance of a place.
Yes. Redruth School is one of the few state secondary schools in the county to have its own heated 25m indoor swimming pool, which is used for PE lessons and extracurricular clubs.
The four houses are Marconi, Holman, Murdoch, and Brunel, named after famous engineers and inventors with local connections.
Mr Craig Bonds is the Headteacher. He was appointed in late 2022 and officially took up the post in 2023.
Get in touch with the school directly
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