Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #27 in Torbay public Top 95% UK

Watcombe Primary School

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

personMr Tim Nield

location_onTorquay, TQ2 8NU

language Visit Website phone 1803327419

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

230

school

Expected Standard

37%

local_fire_department

Demand Ratio

1.1x

summarize

Watcombe Primary School is a Community school primary school in Torquay, serving ages 3-11. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.1×) — apply through your local authority on time. Ranks in the top 95% of primary schools nationally.

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School Summary

Watcombe Primary School is a community school in Torquay, Torbay, admitting pupils aged 3-11. The school has approximately 225 pupils on roll, of whom 34% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, 37% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined. The school ranks #27 of 30 primaries in Torbay and #13,609 of 14,143 nationally.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.1× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 1.3 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

37%

LA 55%

Reading56% LA 72%

Writing48% LA 64%

Maths48% LA 70%

Read SS

Maths SS

100

GPS SS

100

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

33%

LA 57%England 61%

Reading74% LA 74% · Eng 74%

Writing56% LA 67% · Eng 72%

Maths52% LA 68% · Eng 73%

Read SS

105

Maths SS

101

GPS SS

103

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

57%

LA 57%England 60%

Reading70% LA 72% · Eng 73%

Writing60% LA 67% · Eng 71%

Maths77% LA 69% · Eng 73%

Read SS

104

Maths SS

102

GPS SS

103

Progress (0 = national avg)

-0.4

Read

LA -0.1

-2.7 to 1.9

-0.6

Write

LA -0.7

-2.8 to 1.6

-1.2

Maths

LA -0.8

-3.3 to 1.0

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

83%

LA 64%England 65%

Reading83% LA 73% · Eng 73%

Writing100% LA 75% · Eng 78%

Maths100% LA 76% · Eng 79%

Read SS

105

Maths SS

108

GPS SS

108

Progress (0 = national avg)

1.0

Read

LA 0.5

-1.2 to 3.2

1.6

Write

LA -0.4

-0.4 to 3.6

3.3

Maths

LA 0.1

1.4 to 5.3

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

63%

LA 61%

Reading74% LA 73%

Writing74% LA 73%

Maths96% LA 72%

Read SS

105

Maths SS

107

GPS SS

104

Progress (0 = national avg)

-1

Read

LA 0.1

-3.3 to 1.3

-3.2

Write

LA -0.7

-5.4 to -1

1.8

Maths

LA 0.0

-0.2 to 3.8

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

02 July 2024

Inspection Report

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19 April 2023

Inspection Report

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31 October 2017

Inspection Report

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25 February 2014

Inspection Report

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18 June 2012

Inspection Report

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29 November 2010

Inspection Report

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06 May 2009

Inspection Report

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19 June 2006

Inspection Report

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01 November 1999

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-07-02

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2017-10-31

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2014-02-25

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

2.2%per term

warning Above Average

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.2%(5 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 225 pupils. During this period, there were 5 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 2.2%, which is above 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)	225	5	2.2%	0.8%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	214	1	0.5%	0.9%
2023/24 (Summer term)	227	3	1.3%	0.8%
2023/24 (Spring term)	230	0	0.0%	0.7%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	215	1	0.5%	0.8%
2022/23 (Summer term)	237	0	0.0%	0.7%
2022/23 (Spring term)	230	0	0.0%	0.6%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	216	0	0.0%	0.6%
2021/22 (Summer term)	233	7	3.0%	0.5%
2021/22 (Spring term)	225	8	3.6%	0.5%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	219	6	2.7%	0.5%
2020/21 (Summer term)	240	7	2.9%	0.4%
2020/21 (Spring term)	238	0	0.0%	0.1%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	231	4	1.7%	0.4%
2019/20 (Summer term)	247	0	0.0%	0.0%
2019/20 (Spring term)	247	1	0.4%	0.4%
2019/20 (Autumn term)	239	3	1.3%	0.6%
2018/19 (Summer term)	241	1	0.4%	0.4%
2018/19 (Spring term)	245	0	0.0%	0.5%
2018/19 (Autumn term)	236	0	0.0%	0.5%
2017/18 (Summer term)	238	1	0.4%	0.5%
2017/18 (Spring term)	239	0	0.0%	0.4%
2017/18 (Autumn term)	229	1	0.4%	0.5%
2016/17 (Summer term)	239	2	0.8%	0.4%
2016/17 (Spring term)	231	0	0.0%	0.4%
2016/17 (Autumn term)	221	1	0.5%	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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psychology_alt

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 34 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 24 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 12 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 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.

My child is happy at this school.

94.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

97.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

22.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree41%

agree41%

disagree13%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree28%

agree56%

disagree13%

strongly disagree3%

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

strongly agree41%

agree28%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

not applicable22%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes31%

no69%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree50%

agree20%

disagree20%

strongly disagree10%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree38%

agree56%

disagree3%

don't know3%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree63%

agree28%

disagree6%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree44%

agree47%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree53%

agree44%

don't know3%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree56%

agree38%

strongly disagree6%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree56%

agree25%

disagree13%

don't know6%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes97%

no3%

Top Primary Schools in Torbay

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Galmpton Church of England Primary School

Outstanding

location_on Brixham, TQ5 0LT

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Warberry CofE Academy

Good

location_on Torquay, TQ1 1SB

emoji_events #2 in LA

Hayes School

Good

location_on Paignton, TQ4 5PJ

emoji_events #3 in LA

Torre Church of England Academy

Good

location_on TORQUAY, TQ1 4DN

emoji_events #4 in LA

Ilsham Church of England Academy

Good

location_on Torquay, TQ1 2JQ

emoji_events #5 in LA

Lift Barton Hill

Good

location_on Torquay, TQ2 8JA

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Torbay arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

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

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

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 special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

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 special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Primary Schools in Torbay

Galmpton Church of England Primary School

Warberry CofE Academy

Hayes School

Torre Church of England Academy

Ilsham Church of England Academy

Lift Barton Hill