South Molton Community College

  • Secondary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted judgements: Good

Old Alswear Road, South Molton, EX36 4LAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

South Molton Community College is a secondary school in South Molton for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 416 schools in Devon. It ranks 16th of 40 secondary schools in Devon. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 10 December 2024, report published 27 January 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 December 2024

Pupils enjoy attending this school. They feel safe and know that they can talk to an adult if they have any worries. Pupils who are experiencing difficulties, particularly with their mental health, get high-quality support. The school has raised its aspirations of what all pupils can achieve and how they behave. Pupils have risen to these increased expectations. Most behave and attend well. Bullying is uncommon. It is usually resolved quickly when it does occur. Pupils are warmly welcomed into school each morning by staff. This helps pupils to make a positive start each day and be ready to learn. Time is spent celebrating the achievements of the previous day. This helps remind pupils of what is expected of them while at school. Pupils benefit from a thoughtfully designed enrichment programme which enhances their wider development. The school ensures that all pupils take part in this. Pupils can learn sign language, prepare for the annual school production and take part in a host of sporting and creative opportunities. Leadership roles help pupils develop their characters, public speaking and sense of responsibility to others. 'Senior' pupils, prefects, anti-bullying ambassadors and sports leaders all contribute to the wider school community.

What the school should improve

  • Sometimes learning activities are not clearly explained and understood. As a result, activities do not enable pupils, including pupils with SEND, to acquire new knowledge successfully. The school should ensure that teaching consistently enables pupils to learn the curriculum effectively.
  • Some pupils miss curriculum time when they are removed from lessons because of their behaviour or because they do not attend well enough. As a result, they do not progress through the curriculum as well as they could. The school should ensure that pupils behave well and attend regularly so that they experience the full curriculum.
  • Some pupils and parents are dissatisfied with the way that the school deals with their concerns. They do not have confidence that issues they raise will be dealt with. The school should improve communication with parents and pupils so that they understand the school's actions.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

117 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score45.9

45.9, 0.2 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths49.6%

49.6%, 4.2 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths70.1%

70.1%, 5.3 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc46.2%

46.2%, 5.7 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.23

4.23, 0.14 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

656 pupils on roll, with places for 750

Eligible for free school meals22%

22%, 4.5 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language3.5%

3.5%, 18.1 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support10.7%

10.7%, 4.1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4%

4%, 2 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near South Molton Community College

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
West Buckland School5 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 54.1
Chulmleigh Community College7 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 54.1
The Park Community School10 milesOfsted judgements: GoodAttainment 8: 46.6
Pilton Community College11 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 46.4
Great Torrington School14 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 39.0

School details

School type
Foundation school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Trust
South Molton Co-operative Learning Trust
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mrs Rachel Harper
Address
Old Alswear Road, South Molton, EX36 4LA
Local authority
Devon
URN
113512

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.