Totnes St John's Church of England Primary School
Totnes, TQ9 5TZ · Devon · primary school
Check the area around this school
15th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 9.9/10 against 1,916 of them, against 9.4/10 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 | 95.0 · 99 | 40% | 3.97 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 16.0 · 85 | 25% | 2.13 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Totnes St John's Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 95.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 16.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join football and gymnastics clubs, with both a breakfast club and an after-school club available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 163 pupils against a stated capacity of 230. 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 not yet meeting the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2023 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Totnes St John's Church of England Primary School
Overview
The report describes a school with a "warm and welcoming culture" where staff know pupils well and provide necessary support. Leaders have established a "creative and ambitious curriculum" linked to whole-school themes, fostering strong community involvement and positive attitudes towards learning.
Strengths
- Pupils feel safe, knowing staff care about them and understanding how to seek support if worried.
- The curriculum is "ambitious" and well-structured, with a systematic phonics programme that helps pupils read with fluency.
- Staff quickly identify needs, ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "well supported" through adapted teaching.
- The early years provision offers a "challenging curriculum" where children develop resilience and independence.
- Leaders promote personal development through a "character" curriculum, helping pupils understand school values and British values.
Areas to improve
- Teachers do not use assessment well enough in some subjects, meaning pupils do not "build securely on what they have learned before." Leaders must ensure assessment supports long-term retention.
- Some parents would appreciate more frequent communication from leaders to better understand their children’s progress.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a clear culture, up-to-date staff training, and prompt reporting of concerns to external agencies.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 70% |
| 2023/24 | 77% |
| 2024/25 | 95% |
| 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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