West Croft School
Bideford, EX39 3DE · Devon · primary school
Check the area around this school
233rd 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 — 0.6/10 against 1,567 of them, against 0.8/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 38.0 · 7 | 41% | 0.27 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 33% | 1.74 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 26% | 0.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
West Croft School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 38.0% 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 April 2022. 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 (0.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school offers Forest School trips, a breakfast club, and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 417 pupils against a stated capacity of 630. 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 maths? What specific activities take place during the Forest School sessions? How does the school plan to improve attainment in the next inspection cycle?
What Ofsted said about West Croft School
Overview
West Croft School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, marking an improvement from its previous rating. Leaders maintain high expectations, fostering a curriculum that supports pupils academically and personally through ‘purposeful experiences’. The school promotes tolerance, respect, and independence, with pupils feeling safe and staff providing strong support to families.
Strengths
- Early years provision is effective, with a ‘language-rich environment’ and successful phonics teaching enabling children to become ‘fluent readers’.
- Mathematics is ‘designed and taught well’, with teachers quickly addressing misconceptions and building on prior knowledge.
- Pupils demonstrate ‘good manners’ and positive attitudes, developing into ‘responsible young citizens’ through a rich variety of experiences.
- Staff provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, setting clear targets to enable success.
- Governors provide ‘effective challenge’ for leaders and fully understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, assessment is not used well enough to identify knowledge gaps, meaning teachers lack a clear understanding of what pupils remember over time.
- Some key stage 2 pupils have gaps in phonic knowledge and do not receive consistent support, slowing their progress towards becoming ‘fluent and confident readers’.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with staff receiving frequent training, robust reporting systems, and pupils feeling confident they can discuss worries with adults.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 23% |
| 2023/24 | 29% |
| 2024/25 | 38% |
| 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
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 EX39 3DE, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT