Combe Martin Primary School

About Combe Martin Primary School

Combe Martin Primary School gets a strong thumbs-up from its parent community, with 82% of respondents to the Ofsted Parent View survey saying they would recommend the school. That survey, covering responses from September 2024 to September 2025, also shows that 91% of parents feel their child is happy at the school (combining strongly agree and agree responses), and a similar proportion feel their child is safe. The school is clearly popular locally: for the 2025/26 academic year, it received 20 applications for just 16 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.25, and all 16 first-preference applicants were offered a place. Parents also feel well-informed, with 100% agreeing the school makes them aware of what their child will learn, and 85% saying they are kept up to date on their child’s progress. However, there are some areas of concern: only 44% of parents agree that concerns are dealt with properly, and 33% disagree that the school ensures pupils are well behaved.

Academically, the picture is more mixed. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 56% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is just below the Devon local authority average of 57%. The school ranks 130th out of 309 primary schools in the county on this measure, placing it in the bottom half nationally. On individual subjects, results are stronger: 81% of pupils met the expected standard in reading and in maths, and 69% in writing. Higher-attaining pupils are less common, with 31% reaching a higher standard in reading and 19% in maths, but none in writing or the combined measure. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, rated it as Requires Improvement overall, with leadership and management, quality of education, and early years provision all requiring improvement. Behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, were both rated Good, which aligns with the parent view that children feel safe and happy.

The school is a small, mixed primary for children aged 2 to 11, with 147 pupils on roll against a capacity of 230, so there is room for growth. It offers a nursery provision and a range of facilities including a library, sensory room, playing fields, and a forest school, plus clubs such as gardening, coding, and eco club. For children with additional needs, the school lists support for seven categories of special educational need, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Sports on offer include athletics, football, cricket and cross country. With a relatively high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals (28.1%), the school serves a diverse intake. It will suit families who value a strong sense of community and a school where children feel safe and happy, but who are also aware that academic outcomes and leadership are currently under scrutiny from Ofsted.

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