Sherwell Valley Primary School
Torquay, TQ2 6ES · Torbay · primary school
Check the area around this school
9th of 30 primary schools in Torbay we can score, 31 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 6.8/10 against 3,864 of them, against 6.5/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 75.0 · 78 | 40% | 3.11 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 6.0 · 45 | 25% | 1.12 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sherwell Valley Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 75.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 6.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (6.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils attend trips to Pixie's Holt Outdoor Learning Centre, Dartmoor, Beam House Activity Centre, Ashbury Manor Resort, and London. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 694 pupils against a stated capacity of 658. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What specific support is available for pupils who do not reach the expected standard? How are the daily trips organised to ensure all pupils can participate?
What Ofsted said about Sherwell Valley Primary School
Overview
Sherwell Valley Primary School continues to be a good school, where pupils talk with pride about their education and feel safe. Leaders have raised expectations, resulting in a strong start for children and a curriculum that is well-developed in core subjects like reading and mathematics. However, the report notes that curriculum implementation in some wider subjects is less successful, leading to gaps in pupils’ knowledge.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, feel safe, and respond calmly to staff instructions.
- Children learn to read through a "well-developed synthetic phonics curriculum" and read with "fluency and expression."
- The school has built a strong "culture of reading," with adults reading to children with "expression and excitement."
- Staff skilfully adapt the curriculum so pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn the same content as their peers.
- Staff feel valued, with leaders prioritising their well-being and professional development.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum in some wider subjects is "not as well developed or implemented as successfully as the core curriculum," resulting in pupils having "gaps in their knowledge."
- The school needs to ensure the curriculum in all subjects is well developed so all pupils have the knowledge and skills needed for the next stage of their education.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 53% |
| 2023/24 | 62% |
| 2024/25 | 75% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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