St Helens Church of England Academy
Bideford, EX39 5AP · Devon · primary school
Check the area around this school
181st of 279 primary schools in Devon we can score, 309 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 4,195 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.2/10 among them, against 2.4/10 nationally. 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 | 57.0 · 32 | 40% | 1.29 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Helens Church of England Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 57.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.2 out of 10 among them, against 2.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the School Council, with both breakfast and after-school clubs available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 204 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 progress from the expected standard to the higher standard? What specific strategies are used to improve reading outcomes? How does the School Council involve pupils in decision-making?
What Ofsted said about St Helens Church of England Academy
Overview
St Helen's Church of England School continues to be a good school, characterised by a "family-oriented community" where pupils feel safe and valued. Leaders maintain high expectations for achievement and character development, resulting in strong attitudes to learning and effective safeguarding arrangements.
Strengths
- Pupils are "valued members" of the community, with staff ensuring everyone is "friendly and looks out for one another."
- The curriculum intent aims for pupils to "Learn to love, love to learn and aspire to serve," with particularly strong outcomes in early reading and mathematics.
- Teachers possess "exceptionally strong" subject knowledge in mathematics, using precise explanations and careful assessment to fill gaps in pupil understanding.
- Pupils’ wider development is promoted "exceptionally well," with spiritual, moral, social and cultural development taught explicitly and reinforced constantly.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders being "knowledgeable about safeguarding" and systems established to identify needs early.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must think more carefully about curriculum sequencing in subjects where planning is newer, such as history, to ensure pupils build knowledge effectively.
- In these less established subjects, leaders need to clarify what pupils should know and ensure teachers check how well pupils remember key information.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting that leaders are knowledgeable, records are kept well, and staff follow policy diligently to look after pupils.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 66% |
| 2023/24 | 87% |
| 2024/25 | 57% |
| 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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