South Devon UTC
Newton Abbot, TQ12 2QA · Devon · secondary school
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40th 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 — 0.0/10 against 573 of them, against 0.1/10 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 | 10.3 · 0 | 30% | 0.01 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.29 · 1 | 25% | 0.02 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 24.5 · 0 | 10% | 0.00 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
South Devon UTC overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 10.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 25.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -1.29, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.0 out of 10 either way). Ofsted inspected the school in February 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 184 pupils against a stated capacity of 600. 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
Since the February 2026 inspection uses a new framework, what specific improvements have been made in the areas previously graded lower? How does the school support pupils in raising their Attainment 8 scores towards the national median?
What Ofsted said about South Devon UTC
Overview
South Devon UTC serves a unique cohort of pupils, many of whom have experienced disrupted education and face significant barriers to learning. The report states that leaders and staff serve these pupils well, creating a "calm, positive environment" where students feel safe and known as individuals. Despite published data showing low attainment and attendance compared to national averages, the inspection confirms that pupils make clear progress and are well prepared for their next steps.
Strengths
- Leaders have established a "kind and caring culture" where staff build trusting relationships, helping to improve attendance and reduce persistent absence over time.
- The "carefully designed curriculum" effectively closes gaps in basic knowledge, with effective teaching securing skills in mathematics and phonics.
- Post-16 students achieve in line with national averages and are well prepared for employment or further education through specialist pathways and work experience.
- Staff provide "well-targeted support" for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring suitable adaptations are made to remove barriers to learning.
- Pupils develop employability skills and understand professional behaviours, benefiting from links with local employers and industries.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should reduce pupil absence further so that pupils have high attendance and benefit fully from the curriculum.
- Leaders should ensure the wider programme for personal development is tailored more precisely to pupils' needs, providing a wider range of opportunities to develop personally.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed, ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 29.6 |
| 2024/25 | 25.7 |
| 2025/26 | 24.5 |
| 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
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