St Sidwell's Church of England Primary School & Nursery

About St Sidwell's Church of England Primary School & Nursery

St Sidwell's Church of England Primary School & Nursery is a state primary in Exeter that is currently oversubscribed, with 50 applications for its 18 Reception places in the 2025/26 admissions round. That works out at nearly three applicants for every place, and all 18 first-preference offers were taken up, suggesting strong local demand. The school has 219 pupils on roll, slightly above its official capacity of 210. Around 13.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is below the national average for primary schools and indicates a relatively less deprived intake than many schools nationally. The school has a Church of England religious character and serves the mixed-gender 3-11 age range, with nursery provision on site. Its headteacher is Angie Rowe.

Academically, St Sidwell's performs solidly against local benchmarks. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 66% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is nine percentage points above the Devon local authority average of 57%. The school ranks 9th out of 17 primary schools in Exeter on this measure, placing it in the top half of its immediate area. Nationally, it sits in the 43rd percentile. Average scores in reading and maths both came in at 106, and 79% of pupils met the expected standard in each of those subjects individually. At the higher standard, 10% achieved the top level across all three subjects. The school's most recent graded Ofsted inspection, in 2012, rated it Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. An ungraded inspection in 2016 confirmed the school remained Good.

The school offers a range of facilities including a sports hall, playing fields, music rooms, a gymnasium, a sensory room and a chapel. Sports on offer include swimming, gymnastics, athletics and netball, while clubs extend to eco, book, science, gardening and art. For families with children who have additional needs, St Sidwell's lists SEND provisions covering autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health, visual impairment, physical disability and dyslexia. The school is not a boarding school and has no sixth form. For families prioritising a school with a strong local reputation and a Church of England foundation, St Sidwell's is a popular choice in Exeter, though those seeking an Outstanding-rated alternative should note that the nearest such school, Westclyst Community Primary School, is 4.6 kilometres away.

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