Kings Ash Academy

About Kings Ash Academy

Kings Ash Academy in Torbay is a mixed state primary for children aged 2 to 11, and its intake tells a distinct story. The school has capacity for 420 pupils but currently enrols 333, leaving around a fifth of places unfilled. That spare capacity is notable given the school is officially oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry: it received 23 applications for 19 places, with all 19 first-preference applicants offered a spot. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 60.4%, which is well above the national average and signals a catchment with significant socio-economic challenge. The school does not have a religious character, and it offers nursery provision for the youngest children. Headteacher Robert Fitzsimmons leads a school that, despite the pressures of its intake, has seen a clear improvement trajectory in its most recent Ofsted inspections.

Academically, Kings Ash Academy sits in the bottom half of Torbay primary schools, ranked 20th out of 29 on the key stage 2 combined reading, writing and maths expected standard. In the 2023/24 assessments, 57% of pupils reached that benchmark, slightly below the local authority average of 61%. The school’s strongest subject at KS2 was reading, where 79% met the expected standard and 48% achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 108. Maths was weaker, with 67% at expected and 28% at the higher level, though the average score of 104 is still solid. Writing was the toughest area, with just 59% at expected and only 2% reaching the higher standard. Nationally, the school ranks in the 65th percentile among all primaries, placing it in the bottom 50 tier. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is hard to say how much value the school adds relative to starting points.

The school’s facilities are generous for a primary, including a sports hall, playing fields, a forest school area, a sensory room, and music and art studios. SEND provision covers a wide range of needs, from dyslexia and moderate learning difficulties to autistic spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health support. Parent View responses, based on 21 respondents, are broadly positive: 86% would recommend the school, and 90% agree or strongly agree their child is happy. However, there are some splits — only 76% feel concerns are dealt with properly, and 14% disagree that the school supports wider personal development. The oversubscription ratio of 1.21 is modest, so families applying as a first preference have a strong chance of a place. This school will suit parents who value a broad, inclusive environment with strong pastoral and SEND support, and who are comfortable with a school that serves a high-needs community rather than chasing top-tier academic rankings.

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