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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Expected standardURN 142540

Bideford College

Academy sponsor led · Bideford · EX39 3AR

Ages 11–18 · 1,455 pupils · Devon

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

Attainment 8

42.5

Overall absence

13.5%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-05-19

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionNeeds attention
  • Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.24
−20+2
Attainment 842.5
English & maths grade 5+42%
English & maths grade 4+65%
EBacc entry68%

EBacc APS: 4.1

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence13.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)39.2%
Unauthorised5.4%
Authorised absence
8.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
8.2%
Enrolments in measure
1,378

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill65%

1,455 pupils · 2,232 places

Pupils on roll
1,455
Boys / girls
722 / 733
School capacity
2,232
Capacity fill
1,455 / 2,232 (65%)
Free school meals
27.8%
FSM pupils
359
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: ATHENA LEARNING TRUST
Academy trust
ATHENA LEARNING TRUST
Sponsor
Launceston College
Headteacher
Dr Claire Ankers

Location

Address
Abbotsham Road
Postcode
EX39 3AR
Town
Bideford
County
Devon
Local authority
Devon
District
Torridge
Constituency
Torridge and Tavistock
Urban/rural
Urban: Further from a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Bideford, Devon, 1,455 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 27.8%.

Open schools in Bideford
16
Secondary schools in Bideford
2
Academies among open schools in Bideford
31% (5)
Open schools in EX39
16
Secondary in EX39
2
Open schools in Devon LA
428
Secondary in Devon LA
38

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BidefordNear EX39

  • Kingsley School Devon

    Other independent school

    Bideford · EX39 3LY · Devon

    Ages 2–19

    • Att836.5
    • EM5+33%

    0.3 miles away

  • West Croft School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bideford · EX39 3DE · Devon

    Ages 2–11

    • KS223%
    • Absence5.9%
    • FSM42.9%

    0.4 miles away

  • St Mary's CofE Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bideford · EX39 2QN · Devon

    Ages 4–11

    • FSM18.9%

    0.9 miles away

  • St Helen's Church of England School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bideford · EX39 5AP · Devon

    Ages 2–11

    • KS266%
    • Absence3.9%
    • FSM11.8%

    1.2 miles away

  • Appledore School

    Ofsted: Good

    Foundation school · Primary

    Bideford · EX39 1PF · Devon

    Ages 3–11

    • KS287%
    • Absence4.3%
    • FSM19.6%

    2.6 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Dr Claire Ankers
Telephone
01237477611
Website
www.bidefordcollege.uk

Official links