The Erme Primary School
56%
Capacity
98
Pupils
2.2x
Demand
About The Erme Primary School
The Erme Primary School is a small state primary in South Hams, Devon, and the numbers suggest it is a school that local families actively seek out. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 37 applications for just 17 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.18, meaning more than two families applied for every spot. All 17 first-preference applicants were offered a place, which indicates that while it is popular, those who put it first are likely to get in. The school has a total capacity of 175 but currently has only 98 pupils on roll, so there is room to grow. While there is no parent-view survey data available in this dataset, the combination of oversubscription and a Good Ofsted rating from its most recent graded inspection in 2011, confirmed by an ungraded visit in 2022, points to a school that has maintained a solid reputation over time.
Academically, the school’s Key Stage 2 results for 2023/24 show a mixed picture. In reading, 83% of pupils met the expected standard, and 25% reached the higher standard, with an average score of 105. Writing saw 75% at expected and 8% at higher. Maths was weaker, with only 50% at expected and an average score of 99, and no pupils reached the higher standard. Combined reading, writing and maths at expected standard was 50%, which is below the Devon local authority average of 57%. This places the school 166th out of 309 similar schools in the local authority, and in the bottom 50% nationally. The school’s most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2011 rated overall effectiveness as Good, with leadership and management also Good, though early years provision was rated Requires Improvement at that time. The 2022 ungraded inspection confirmed the school remains Good.
The school offers a range of facilities including an art studio, ICT suite, dining hall, forest school, outdoor playground, sensory room and a chapel. Sports include rounders, athletics, cricket and tennis, and there are clubs for drama, choir, eco, gardening, chess and science. SEND provisions cover specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, hearing and visual impairments, and other difficulties. With 20.4% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a mixed catchment. This is a small, community-focused primary that suits families who value a broad range of extracurricular activities and strong SEND support, but who may want to keep a close eye on maths outcomes compared with local averages.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Station Road, Ivybridge, South Hams, PL21 0AJ |
| Headteacher | Leanne Penhallurick |
| Local Authority | Devon |
| Number of Pupils | 98 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 20.4% |
| School Capacity | 98 / 175 (56% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
11 Jan 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (11 Jan 2022): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 12 Dec 2011. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (50%)
10841st of 13,686
Nationally
1072nd of 1,469
In South West
27th of 35
In South Hams
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
50%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
24%
'23/24
50%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
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
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed17
37
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
17 families put this school as their 1st choice (46% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half 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 British87.8%
- White (other)5.1%
- Mixed3.0%
- Asian2.0%
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
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
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.
5
Total schools
5
Oversubscribed
4
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 The Erme 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
Station Road, Ivybridge
South Hams, PL21 0AJ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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