St Thomas Primary School

About St Thomas Primary School

St Thomas Primary School in Exeter sits just above the Devon local authority average on the headline Key Stage 2 measure of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. The school’s figure of 59 per cent edges the LA average of 57 per cent, though the gap is narrow. This places St Thomas 121st out of 309 primary schools in Devon, putting it in the middle of the pack rather than among the top performers. Within Exeter itself, the school ranks 10th out of 17 primary schools, which suggests it is a solid but not standout option within the city. The school’s Progress 8 scores are not available, so it is difficult to say how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points, but the headline attainment figures indicate that outcomes are broadly in line with what you would expect for the area.

Looking more closely at the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, the picture is mixed. In maths, 70 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard and the average score was 104. Reading was also at 70 per cent expected, with an average score of 102. Writing had the highest expected rate at 74 per cent. However, the proportion of pupils reaching the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined was zero, and in writing specifically it was also zero. In maths, 15 per cent reached the higher standard and in reading 19 per cent did. So while most children are meeting the expected level, very few are exceeding it. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2023 rated it Good across all areas, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership. This was consistent with its previous Good rating from 2012, so there is a track record of steady quality.

St Thomas is a state primary for mixed genders aged 5 to 11, with 193 pupils on roll against a capacity of 208. It is oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry there were 53 applications for 26 places, and all 22 first-preference applicants were offered places, giving an oversubscription ratio of just over two to one. The school has a range of facilities including playing fields, a sports hall, a sensory room, art studios, a forest school and a chapel. Sports on offer include swimming, gymnastics, cross country, cricket and tennis, and there are clubs for book club, coding and chess. The school has a significant SEND provision, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. With 23.3 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a fairly diverse intake. This is a school that suits families looking for a solid, well-regarded local primary with good behaviour and a broad range of activities, but not one that pushes for exceptional academic stretch at the top end.

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