West Exe School
Exeter, EX2 9JU · Devon · secondary school
Check the area around this school
21st 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.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 7.0/10 against 920 of them, against 6.5/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 13 | 35% | 0.44 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 53.3 · 70 | 30% | 2.09 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.16 · 61 | 25% | 1.53 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.0 · 60 | 10% | 0.60 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
West Exe School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.0, compared with the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.16 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (6.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in June 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,237 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,300. 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 new Ofsted framework affect current teaching priorities? What support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about West Exe School
Overview
West Exe School delivers an education that meets the expected standard, with pupils generally making good progress and achieving well in examinations, particularly in science. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils enjoy their learning and feel safe, supported by effective teaching and strong partnerships with parents. However, persistent absence remains a concern for some groups, and inconsistencies in checking pupil understanding hinder deeper learning.
Strengths
- Pupils "typically perform well in examinations at key stage 4" and "secure the essential skills they need in English and mathematics."
- Staff have "high expectations of pupils who face particular challenges," ensuring those with special educational needs and/or disabilities "usually achieve well."
- The personal development programme is "designed... to help pupils gain a range of different experiences," including the ‘West Exe Baccalaureate’ and extensive extracurricular activities.
- Leaders "build constructive partnerships with parents" and support staff wellbeing, ensuring workloads are "manageable."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must "raise further pupils attendance, especially the attendance of disadvantaged pupils and those who face other barriers."
- Teachers should "check consistently that pupils have gained intended knowledge" to adjust teaching and tackle misunderstandings.
- Leaders need to "gain precise insights into the impact of their work" to inform governance and continuous improvement.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing "an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns being "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 48.4 |
| 2024/25 | 47.0 |
| 2025/26 | 48.0 |
| 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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