Sidmouth Primary School

About Sidmouth Primary School

Sidmouth Primary School’s headline KS2 results sit just below the Kingston upon Hull local authority average, with 57% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths against an LA average of 65%. That eight-point gap places the school 52nd out of 69 primary schools in the authority, putting it in the bottom half of local primaries. The school’s ranking score of 57 also lands it in the bottom 50 nationally. However, the picture is more mixed when you dig into individual subjects: writing is a relative strength, with 71% of pupils meeting expectations, while maths (67%) and reading (65%) are closer to the LA norm. The proportion reaching the higher standard in all three subjects is just 4%, and higher-attaining pupils are more likely to excel in maths (22%) and reading (22%) than in writing (6%). So while the school isn’t outperforming its local peers overall, it’s not a straightforward underperformer either — writing results in particular are solid.

Academically, the school has improved significantly since its last graded inspection. In 2016, Ofsted rated it Requires Improvement overall, with leadership and management also marked as Requires Improvement. Its most recent graded inspection in 2022 saw the school jump to Good across all graded categories — overall effectiveness, leadership and management, and early years provision all scored 2 (Good). An ungraded inspection later that same year confirmed the school remains Good. Average scores in reading and maths both sit at 102, which is in line with the national average of 100. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it’s hard to say how much value the school adds from starting points, but the Ofsted trajectory is clearly upward. The school serves a relatively disadvantaged intake, with 19% of pupils eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average for primary schools.

Sidmouth Primary is a three-to-eleven mixed state school with nursery provision and a capacity of 459, currently housing 449 pupils. It was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, receiving 48 applications for 30 places — a ratio of 1.6 applicants per place, with all 30 first-preference families offered a spot. Facilities include a forest school, sensory room, art studios, music rooms and a gymnasium, and the school runs clubs such as book club, gardening and science club. Sports offered include gymnastics, netball, tennis and cross country. The school’s SEND provisions cover a broad range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health support. For families weighing up options, Sidmouth is a solidly Good local primary that has turned around from a weaker inspection history, but its KS2 outcomes are below the Hull average — worth considering if your child is already working at or above age-related expectations.

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