Milton Abbot Primary School
60%
Capacity
63
Pupils
1.2x
Demand
About Milton Abbot Primary School
Milton Abbot Primary School is a small state primary in West Devon with just 63 pupils, and its headline metrics tell a story of steady improvement rather than standout performance. The school does not have published KS2 SATs results in the data, so it is not possible to compare its academic outcomes directly against the Devon local authority average of 57. However, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 rated it Good overall, a clear step up from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2018. That earlier inspection gave the school a 3 for overall effectiveness, leadership and management, and early years provision, while the 2022 inspection awarded a 2 (Good) across every category: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This consistent upgrade suggests a school that has addressed its weaknesses and is now performing reliably, even if it does not yet rank among Devon’s five Outstanding primaries.
Academically, the absence of published KS2 data makes it difficult to gauge how pupils perform at the end of primary compared with the Devon average. The school’s Ofsted report from 2022 notes that behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management are all Good, which points to a positive learning environment. The school has a relatively low proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 12.7%, slightly below the national average, and its small size means each child receives a lot of individual attention. The nursery provision for children aged two and up gives families a smooth start, and the school’s capacity of 105 suggests there is room to grow. Without exam scores, parents will want to look closely at the full Ofsted report to understand how the school supports academic progress, but the inspection grades indicate that teaching and leadership are now on solid ground.
For families considering Milton Abbot, the practical picture is reassuring. The school is oversubscribed for 2025/26, with 12 applications for 10 places and all 10 first-preference offers accepted, so early application is wise. Facilities include an outdoor playground, playing fields, a library, art studios, a sensory room, and even a chapel, which is unusual for a non-religious school. Sports provision covers cricket, netball, athletics, and cross country, while clubs range from drama and choir to gardening, chess, and science club. The school offers targeted support for a range of special educational needs, including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, and hearing impairment. This combination of small classes, a broad club offer, and dedicated SEND provision makes it a strong fit for families who want a nurturing, community-focused primary where children are known well and can access extra help if needed.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Milton Abbot, Tavistock, West Devon, PL19 0PS |
| Headteacher | Tom Lumby |
| Local Authority | Devon |
| Number of Pupils | 63 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 12.7% |
| School Capacity | 63 / 105 (60% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
13 Sept 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 5 Oct 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed10
12
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
10 families put this school as their 1st choice (83% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
School day
Teaching hours
08:45 – 15:30
Breakfast club
07:45-08:30
After-school care
15:30-18:00
Source: miltonabbot.devon.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British100.0%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
1
Total schools
1
Oversubscribed
1
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Milton Abbot Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Milton Abbot, Tavistock
West Devon, PL19 0PS
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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