Thorverton Church of England Primary School

About Thorverton Church of England Primary School

Thorverton Church of England Primary School is a small state primary in Mid Devon that is currently running well above its official capacity, with 109 pupils on roll against a stated capacity of 75. That oversubscription is no accident: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 24 applications for just 14 places, with all 14 first-preference offers accepted, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.71. The school’s intake is notably less disadvantaged than the local average — just 4.6% of pupils qualify for free school meals, compared with a national primary average of around 23%. The school’s Church of England character is woven into its identity, and headteacher Chris Holding leads a mixed-gender, non-selective primary for children aged 4 to 11. Despite its small size, the school clearly commands strong local demand, and families considering it should be aware that securing a place is competitive.

Academically, Thorverton performs solidly above the Devon local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 64% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a LA average of 57%. The school’s ranking within Mid Devon places it 12th out of 35 primaries, putting it in the top 35% locally, and nationally it sits in the 47th percentile. Reading is a particular strength: the average reading score was 111, with 55% of pupils reaching the higher standard, and 82% hitting the expected level. Maths scores were also strong, with an average of 106 and 73% at expected. Writing saw 73% at expected and 27% at the higher standard. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in July 2024, confirmed it remains Good with an improving trajectory, and its previous graded inspection in 2014 also rated it Good across the board.

The school offers a practical, well-equipped environment for its size, with facilities including a sports hall, gymnasium, library, ICT suite, art studios, a sensory room, and a chapel. Outdoor provision includes playing fields, and pupils can take part in football, netball, gymnastics and cricket, plus clubs like eco club, drama, choir and gardening. SEND support is broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health, hearing impairment, and multi-sensory impairment. There is no nursery or sixth form. For families who value a small, church-affiliated primary with strong academic outcomes and a clear sense of local demand, Thorverton is a compelling option — though the competition for places means early application is essential.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Thorverton Church of England Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents