St Thomas Primary School
Exeter, EX2 9BB · Devon · primary school
Check the area around this school
225th 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.7/10 against 2,826 of them, against 1.1/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 43.0 · 11 | 40% | 0.42 |
| 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 Thomas Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.0% 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%. 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 (0.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 193 pupils against a stated capacity of 208. 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 who are below the expected standard in literacy and numeracy? What specific interventions are in place to help students reach the higher standard? How does the school plan to maintain its Good Ofsted rating following the 2023 inspection?
What Ofsted said about St Thomas Primary School
Overview
Pupils enjoy attending this “caring school” where they demonstrate “positive attitudes to learning” and live up to leaders’ high expectations. The report describes an “ambitious curriculum” that helps pupils build deep knowledge, supported by effective phonics teaching and strong relationships. Despite recent leadership changes, trust leaders have overseen a period of “turbulence well” to maintain educational quality.
Strengths
- Pupils develop a “deep understanding” of ‘Learning 4 Life’ skills, viewing mistakes as opportunities to learn.
- Reading instruction is precise, with staff using up-to-date phonics knowledge to ensure pupils become “confident and fluent readers”.
- Safeguarding arrangements are “effective”, with staff accurately recording concerns and taking “prompt action” to help vulnerable families.
- Pupils feel safe, noting that bullying happens “rarely” and that they have “many trusted adults” to talk to.
- Parents find leaders “approachable” and appreciate the clear information they receive about their children’s progress.
Areas to improve
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is “not consistently effective”, meaning some do not learn as well as they could.
- Some foundation subject leaders do not monitor implementation with “enough precision”, and teachers do not always use assessment well enough to check prior knowledge.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting that leaders promote a strong culture, deliver thorough training, and ensure governors have an “in-depth knowledge” of safeguarding procedures.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 70% |
| 2023/24 | 59% |
| 2024/25 | 43% |
| 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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