Sidmouth College
Sidmouth, EX10 9LG · Devon · secondary school
Check the area around this school
28th of 40 secondary schools in Devon we can score, 41 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 — 4.8/10 against 895 of them, against 4.8/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 16 | 35% | 0.55 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 49.3 · 61 | 30% | 1.82 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.24 · 32 | 25% | 0.79 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.0 · 50 | 10% | 0.50 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sidmouth College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.9% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.9, compared with the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.24 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (5.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 825 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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
How does the school support pupils to improve their progress scores, which are currently below the national benchmark? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their attainment in English and maths? How does the new Ofsted grading structure affect the school’s current improvement plans?
What Ofsted said about Sidmouth College
Overview
Sidmouth College is described as a school where pupils “generally enjoy their learning” and are “well prepared for life in modern Britain.” The report states that leaders have an “accurate understanding” of the school’s context and are taking effective action to drive improvements, particularly in post-16 teaching. Overall, the school meets the expected standard across all evaluated areas, with safeguarding standards confirmed as met.
Strengths
- Pupils achieve “significantly above the national average” in English and mathematics at key stage 4.
- Post-16 students now “achieve well” following recent improvements to the quality of teaching.
- Staff consistently uphold expectations for conduct, resulting in a suspension rate that is “in line with the national average and falling.”
- Leaders provide “effective professional learning opportunities” that build staff expertise across different key stages.
- Pupils benefit from a “range of extra-curricular opportunities” that develop talents and foster a “feeling of belonging.”
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure they embed teaching approaches that “consistently remove barriers to pupils’ learning,” as support is occasionally less effective.
- Leaders should “strengthen achievement further” so that more pupils and post-16 students achieve highly, particularly those with higher starting points.
- Leaders should “strengthen the impact of the personal development programme” so that pupils are very well prepared for life in modern Britain, as it is not yet fully integrated.
Safeguarding
The report confirms that safeguarding standards are met, noting that leaders have established an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and that pupils are “made safer and feel safe.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.9 |
| 2024/25 | 45.9 |
| 2025/26 | 46.0 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of EX10 9LG, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT