Atlantic Academy

About Atlantic Academy

Atlantic Academy in Torridge was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2023, a significant improvement from its previous overall rating of Inadequate in 2017. The school’s Progress 8 score of -0.3 is the most telling academic metric, placing it in the bottom 50 nationally and ranking it 31st out of 43 similar schools in Devon. This score means pupils achieve about a third of a grade less per subject than the national average, and it sits below the Devon local authority average Progress 8 score of -0.09. The school’s Attainment 8 score of 35.5 is also modest, and only 29.1% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths (the basics 9-5 measure). While these figures show room for improvement, the Ofsted report noted that behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management are all Good, suggesting a school that is stable and heading in the right direction.

Academically, the school’s strengths are uneven. In the 2023/24 exam results, the Progress 8 score for maths was -0.02, essentially in line with the national average, while English was -0.33 and the open element (other subjects) was -0.54. This suggests maths teaching is a relative strong point. The EBacc entry rate is low at 18.2%, and only 3.6% of pupils achieved the full EBacc at grade 5 or above, compared with 10.9% at grade 4 or above. The school’s EBacc average point score is 3.04. In the local Torridge area, Atlantic Academy ranks 3rd out of 4 schools by Progress 8, ahead of only one other school, and sits well behind the top performer, Colyton Grammar School, which has a ranking score of 0.99. For parents focused on academic outcomes, this is a school where results are below average but improving from a very low base.

The school is a mixed 11-16 secondary with no sixth form, and it is oversubscribed: for 2025/26, it received 59 applications for 33 places, with 32 first-preference offers made. It serves a relatively disadvantaged intake, with 32.9% of pupils eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. Facilities are decent for a school of its size, including a swimming pool, theatre, sports hall, and science labs. The school offers a wide range of sports from badminton to rowing, and clubs include the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, chess, and drama. SEND provision covers seven categories, including autistic spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and speech, language and communication needs. This school will suit families in the Torridge area who value a small, improving school with strong pastoral care and a broad extracurricular offer, and who are realistic about its current academic performance.

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