Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy

About Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy

Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy is a mixed state secondary in Torbay, and it is a school that families clearly want to get into. The school is oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year, with 445 applications for 158 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.82. Of those, 218 were first-preference applications, and 142 first-preference offers were made. The school currently has 1,016 pupils on roll against a capacity of 982, so it is running slightly over its official number. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 9.3%, which is notably lower than the national average for secondary schools, suggesting a relatively less deprived intake. The school has no religious character and is a grammar school academy, so entry is selective by ability, which shapes the demographic profile. It is one of three grammar schools in Torbay, sitting behind Torquay Girls' Grammar School and Torquay Boys' Grammar School in local Progress 8 rankings.

Academically, Churston Ferrers delivers strong results. Its Progress 8 score is 0.17, which is well above the Torbay local authority average of -0.4, and places it third out of nine schools in the area. The Attainment 8 score is 66, and the basics measure shows 97.3% of pupils achieving a grade 4 or above in English and maths, with 91.3% achieving a grade 5 or above. The EBacc average point score is 5.49, though only 19.3% of pupils entered the EBacc combination of subjects. At A-level, the school's value added score is -0.16, which is below average, and the progress banding is rated as 'Below average'. The average points per entry is 37.28, equivalent to a B- grade, and the best three A-levels average is also B-. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022, the school was rated Good across all categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. This was a downgrade from its previous Outstanding rating in 2009.

The school offers a broad range of facilities, including a swimming pool, astro turf, gymnasium, playing fields, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Sports on offer include swimming, cricket, basketball, badminton, gymnastics, cross country, and rugby. There is also a wide selection of clubs, such as orchestra, choir, debate, Model UN, Young Enterprise, DofE, and eco club. For pupils with additional needs, the school provides support for a variety of SEND categories, including specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and physical disabilities. Given its selective intake and strong Progress 8 performance, this school is a good fit for academically able children who are likely to thrive in a grammar school environment. The oversubscription means families need to be prepared for a competitive admissions process, and those living outside the immediate catchment area may find it harder to secure a place.

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