Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #15 in Devon public Top 20% UK

Coombeshead Academy

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

personMr Robert Coles

corporate_fareEDUCATION SOUTH WEST

location_onNewton Abbot, TQ12 1PT

language Visit Website phone 1626201800

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

887

trending_up

Attainment 8

46.8

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GCSE Rank

#13 in Devon

#1,402 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Coombeshead Academy is a Academy converter secondary school in Newton Abbot, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Coombeshead Academy is an academy converter in Newton Abbot, Devon, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of EDUCATION SOUTH WEST. The school has approximately 873 pupils on roll, of whom 27% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.8, placing the school #13 in Devon and #1,402 of 3,216 nationally. 49.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 16.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 13 A-level subjects. 19.7% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 8.2% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.38 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. 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.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 15.0:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 3 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 7.5 per 1,000 pupils per term.

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

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

46.8

Grade 5+ E&M

49.40%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)16.5%

Entering EBacc63.30%

EBacc APS4.21

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.12

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc50.90%

EBacc APS3.83

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.20

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.0

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc55%

EBacc APS3.67

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.33

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc15%

EBacc APS3.92

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.19

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc45%

EBacc APS3.97

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.34

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc44%

EBacc APS3.91

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

83%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)72%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)78%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment9%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.38

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*–A8.2%

Achieving A*–B19.7%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate84.6%

A-level subjects offered13

2024

A-Level Value Added

-1.02

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate85.20%

2023

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate65.20%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate97.5%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

28 February 2023

Inspection Report

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13 March 2019

Inspection Report

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21 April 2015

Inspection Report

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17 July 2013

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2023-02-28

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2019-03-13

S5 Inspection Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2015-04-21

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

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

6.1%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.0%(26 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

2pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 873 pupils. During this period, there were 53 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 6.1%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	873	53	6.1%	7.3%	2
2024/25 (Autumn term)	889	80	9.0%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	844	118	14.0%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	872	118	13.5%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	887	175	19.7%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	881	136	15.4%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	887	99	11.2%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	893	109	12.2%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	940	84	8.9%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	946	60	6.3%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	947	44	4.6%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	997	39	3.9%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,007	27	2.7%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,026	52	5.1%	3.9%	4
2019/20 (Summer term)	991	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	991	74	7.5%	3.2%	2
2019/20 (Autumn term)	987	61	6.2%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	988	37	3.7%	3.1%	3
2018/19 (Spring term)	989	37	3.7%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,000	30	3.0%	3.8%	3
2017/18 (Summer term)	973	28	2.9%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	979	11	1.1%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	986	5	0.5%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	948	30	3.2%	3.0%	2
2016/17 (Spring term)	958	21	2.2%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	960	15	1.6%	3.1%	2

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 51 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 47 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 30 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 30 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 14 pupils

Physical Disability 8 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

Multi-Sensory Impairment 1 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 1 pupils

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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.

77.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

77.0%Positive

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

26.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree22%

agree50%

disagree16%

strongly disagree9%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree24%

agree40%

disagree16%

strongly disagree9%

don't know10%

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

strongly agree34%

agree22%

disagree23%

strongly disagree7%

don't know1%

not applicable13%

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

yes23%

no77%

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

strongly agree27%

agree20%

disagree33%

strongly disagree17%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree33%

agree47%

disagree10%

strongly disagree2%

don't know9%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree36%

agree50%

disagree8%

strongly disagree5%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree35%

agree43%

disagree18%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree42%

agree47%

disagree9%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree47%

agree43%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree32%

agree33%

disagree18%

strongly disagree7%

don't know10%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes76%

no24%

Top Secondary Schools in Devon

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Colyton Grammar School

Outstanding

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Good

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Ivybridge Community College

Good

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Braunton Academy

Good

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St Peter's Church of England Aided School

Good

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Uffculme School

Outstanding

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary 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.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Devon

Colyton Grammar School

Chulmleigh Community College

Ivybridge Community College

Braunton Academy

St Peter's Church of England Aided School

Uffculme School