Ofsted: Expected standard trending_up Places Available emoji_events #191 in Devon public Top 74% UK

Bishops Tawton Primary School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

person Mrs Melanie Smallwood (Headteacher)

location_onBarnstaple, EX32 0AE

language Visit Website phone 01271343002

verified

Ofsted

Expected standard

Inspected 2026

groups

Students

164

school

Expected Standard

54%

local_fire_department

Demand Ratio

1.0x

summarize

Bishops Tawton Primary School is a Foundation school primary school in Barnstaple, serving ages 4-11. Assessed at Expected standard by Ofsted on its latest Report Card inspection. Ranks in the top 74% of primary schools nationally.

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School Summary

Bishops Tawton Primary School is a foundation school in Barnstaple, Devon, admitting pupils aged 4-11. The school has approximately 161 pupils on roll, of whom 7% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, 54% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined. The school ranks #191 of 269 primaries in Devon and #11,799 of 14,159 nationally.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2026. The school's current overall rating is Expected standard. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Expected standard, behaviour and attitudes Expected standard, personal development Expected standard, and leadership and management Expected standard.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 19.6:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 0.0 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

school

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

54%

LA 57%

Reading77% LA 75%

Writing69% LA 67%

Maths65% LA 71%

Read SS

107

Maths SS

103

GPS SS

105

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

75%

LA 55%England 61%

Reading85% LA 75% · Eng 74%

Writing80% LA 66% · Eng 72%

Maths85% LA 68% · Eng 73%

Read SS

107

Maths SS

105

GPS SS

106

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

73%

LA 55%England 60%

Reading91% LA 73% · Eng 73%

Writing86% LA 66% · Eng 71%

Maths91% LA 67% · Eng 73%

Read SS

108

Maths SS

107

GPS SS

108

Progress (0 = national avg)

1.4

Read

LA 0.3

-1.3 to 4.1

0.1

Write

LA -0.7

-2.5 to 2.7

1.3

Maths

LA -0.9

-1.2 to 3.9

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

56%

LA 63%England 65%

Reading68% LA 75% · Eng 73%

Writing92% LA 75% · Eng 78%

Maths88% LA 76% · Eng 79%

Read SS

104

Maths SS

107

GPS SS

107

Progress (0 = national avg)

2.0

Read

LA 0.3

-0.5 to 4.4

4.8

Write

LA -1.0

2.6 to 7.1

3.4

Maths

LA -1.0

1.3 to 5.6

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

88%

LA 63%

Reading96% LA 77%

Writing96% LA 76%

Maths92% LA 73%

Read SS

110

Maths SS

108

GPS SS

108

Progress (0 = national avg)

4.8

Read

LA 0.2

2.4 to 7.2

4.2

Write

LA -0.8

1.9 to 6.5

3.5

Maths

LA -0.7

1.3 to 5.7

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Ranking History & Trajectory

National & Local Authority position based on DfE performance data · Methodology

Year	Primary Overall (Nat)	LA Rank	Attainment	Progress
2025	#11,799 / 14,159	#191	#10,454	#1
2024	#5,475 / 14,233	#56	#2,557	#1
2023	#4,964 / 13,940	#60	#2,751	#4,659
2019	#5,590 / 11,810	#75	#9,120	#570
2018	#1,154 / 10,972	#9	#597	#270

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

06 May 2026

Inspection Report

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01 March 2022

Inspection Report

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23 January 2019

Inspection Report

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30 April 2015

Inspection Report

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15 January 2013

Inspection Report

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07 October 2009

Inspection Report

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10 January 2007

Inspection Report

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27 March 2000

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

5 Evaluations

2026-05-06

S5 Inspection REIF Report Card

Report Card

info

Why no single overall grade?

From autumn 2024 / 2025, Ofsted replaced single-word headline grades (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate) with individual area judgements on a Report Card.

Curriculum & Teaching

Expected standard

Achievement

Expected standard

Attendance & Behaviour

Expected standard

Personal Development

Expected standard

Inclusion

Expected standard

Leadership & Governance

Expected standard

Early Years

Expected standard

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2022-03-01

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2019-01-23

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

2015-04-30

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Latest Ungraded: School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next

2009-10-07

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

0.0%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 0.8% for this term (primary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.0%(0 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 1.225% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 159 pupils. During this period, there were 0 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.0%, which is below the termly national average of 0.8%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg
2024/25 (Spring term)	159	0	0.0%	0.8%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	162	0	0.0%	0.9%
2023/24 (Summer term)	167	1	0.6%	0.8%
2023/24 (Spring term)	169	0	0.0%	0.7%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	170	1	0.6%	0.8%
2022/23 (Summer term)	166	1	0.6%	0.7%
2022/23 (Spring term)	164	0	0.0%	0.6%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	164	2	1.2%	0.6%
2021/22 (Summer term)	172	2	1.2%	0.5%
2021/22 (Spring term)	170	0	0.0%	0.5%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	166	0	0.0%	0.5%
2020/21 (Summer term)	175	0	0.0%	0.4%
2020/21 (Spring term)	171	0	0.0%	0.1%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	172	0	0.0%	0.4%
2019/20 (Summer term)	167	0	0.0%	0.0%
2019/20 (Spring term)	167	0	0.0%	0.4%
2019/20 (Autumn term)	168	0	0.0%	0.6%
2018/19 (Summer term)	168	0	0.0%	0.4%
2018/19 (Spring term)	173	0	0.0%	0.5%
2018/19 (Autumn term)	175	0	0.0%	0.5%
2017/18 (Summer term)	166	0	0.0%	0.5%
2017/18 (Spring term)	162	0	0.0%	0.4%
2017/18 (Autumn term)	164	2	1.2%	0.5%
2016/17 (Summer term)	156	1	0.6%	0.4%
2016/17 (Spring term)	152	0	0.0%	0.4%
2016/17 (Autumn term)	151	2	1.3%	0.5%

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 2 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 1 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 1 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

Overall, how do parents view this school?

83%Positive

My child is happy at this school.

94%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

92%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

strongly agree11%

agree33%

disagree33%

not applicable82%

Neither agree nor disagree22%

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree27%

agree53%

disagree6%

don't know2%

Neither agree nor disagree12%

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

strongly agree41%

agree43%

Neither agree nor disagree6%

disagree8%

Don't know2%

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

strongly agree47%

agree39%

Neither agree nor disagree4%

disagree8%

Don't know2%

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

strongly agree27%

agree41%

disagree16%

strongly disagree2%

Neither agree nor disagree14%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

strongly agree24%

agree43%

disagree10%

not applicable12%

Neither agree nor disagree10%

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

yes22%

no78%

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree27%

agree45%

disagree9%

Neither agree nor disagree18%

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

yes88%

no12%

Top Primary Schools in Devon

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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The Grove School

Good

location_on Totnes, TQ9 5ED

emoji_events #1 in LA

Canada Hill Community Primary School

Good

location_on Newton Abbot, TQ12 6YS

emoji_events #2 in LA

Stowford School

Good

location_on Ivybridge, PL21 0BG

emoji_events #3 in LA

Bickleigh Down Church of England Primary School

Good

location_on Plymouth, PL6 7JW

emoji_events #4 in LA

Witheridge Church of England Primary Academy

Expected standard

location_on Tiverton, EX16 8AH

emoji_events #5 in LA

Ashleigh CofE Primary School

Good

location_on Barnstaple, EX32 8LJ

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Devon arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ranking History & Trajectory

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Primary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Overall, how do parents view this school?

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Primary Schools in Devon

The Grove School

Canada Hill Community Primary School

Stowford School

Bickleigh Down Church of England Primary School

Witheridge Church of England Primary Academy

Ashleigh CofE Primary School