Harbertonford Church of England Primary School

About Harbertonford Church of England Primary School

Harbertonford Church of England Primary School holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained across both its most recent inspections, including an ungraded visit in December 2024 where inspectors confirmed that standards were being maintained. The most telling academic metric for this small primary school in South Hams is its Key Stage 2 performance in the 2023/24 academic year. While 44% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, this figure sits below the Devon local authority average of 57%. However, the school shows real strength in reading, with 81% of pupils reaching the expected standard and 31% achieving the higher standard. Reading also produced a strong average scaled score of 106. Writing and maths were weaker by comparison, with 69% and 56% reaching expected levels respectively, and only 6% of pupils hitting the higher standard in maths.

The school's overall ranking reflects these mixed results. Among 35 primary schools in the South Hams local authority area, Harbertonford sits at 29th place, placing it in the bottom half nationally. Its ranking score of 44 out of 100 places it in the bottom 50% tier of schools across England. That said, the school's small size — just 95 pupils against a capacity of 105 — means that individual cohort results can fluctuate significantly from year to year. The Ofsted report from the graded inspection in 2013 rated both leadership and management and overall effectiveness as Good, and the 2024 ungraded inspection found no cause to change that view. Parents appear broadly satisfied: 97% of respondents to the Parent View survey would recommend the school, and 96% agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy there.

Harbertonford is a Church of England primary school with nursery provision, taking children from age 2 through to 11. It was oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, with 15 first-preference applications for 15 places and a total of 20 applications overall. The school offers a range of facilities including an ICT suite, playing fields, art studios, music rooms, a library, gymnasium, sports hall and chapel. Clubs include drama, eco club, choir and chess, while sports provision covers gymnastics, cross country, cricket, football, dance, rounders and netball. For children with additional needs, the school lists provisions for social, emotional and mental health, speech, language and communication, hearing impairment, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties. This is a school that suits families who value a strong community feel and a Church of England ethos, but who are mindful that academic outcomes at Key Stage 2 are below the local average.

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