Collaton St Mary Church of England Primary School

About Collaton St Mary Church of England Primary School

Collaton St Mary Church of England Primary School is a state primary in Torbay that currently educates 203 pupils against a capacity of 218, meaning it is running close to full but with a small handful of spare places. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 26.6%, which is notably higher than the national primary average of around 23% and suggests the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 49 applications for 24 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.04. Of those, 21 were first-preference applications, and all 21 received offers. This level of competition indicates that the school is a popular choice locally, particularly among families who prioritise its Church of England foundation.

Academically, Collaton St Mary performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 72% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Torbay average of 61%. The school ranks 10th out of 29 primaries in the local authority on this measure, placing it in the top half of schools in the area. At the higher standard, 6% of pupils achieved the top scores across all three subjects. Reading and maths average scores were 107 and 105 respectively, both comfortably above the national benchmark of 100. Progress scores are not available in the data, but the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 confirmed it remains Good, with leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all rated Good. The previous graded inspection in 2014 also awarded Good, so the school has held a consistent rating for over a decade.

The school offers a range of facilities including an ICT suite, sensory room, playing fields, music rooms and a chapel, reflecting its Church of England character. Sports provision includes swimming, football, gymnastics and cricket, while clubs such as Book Club, Coding, Eco Club, Drama and Science Club provide enrichment beyond the timetable. SEND support is well-developed, with provisions for specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication needs, visual impairment, and autistic spectrum disorder. For families considering Collaton St Mary, the key takeaway is that it is a popular, oversubscribed primary with strong academic outcomes relative to the local area, a clear Christian ethos, and a broad offer for pupils with additional needs. It suits families who want a well-regarded state school with a community feel and a proven track record.

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