Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary

About Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary

Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary is a state primary school in Teignbridge, Devon, that is genuinely oversubscribed. For its 13 places in the 2025/26 admission round, the school received 16 total applications, with all 13 first-preference families receiving an offer. That oversubscription ratio of 1.23 signals a school that local families actively want, and it makes sense when you look at the numbers: the school has 91 pupils on roll against a capacity of 90, so it is effectively full. The pupil demographic is notably less disadvantaged than the national average, with just 7.7% of children eligible for free school meals, compared with a typical primary figure of around 23% across England. The school is mixed, non-denominational, and serves ages 4 to 11. Headteacher Anthony Arnold leads a relatively small community, and the school does not offer nursery provision or boarding.

Academically, the school performs well above the 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 Devon average of 57%. The school also excels at the higher standard, with 21% of pupils achieving that level across all three subjects. Reading is a particular strength: 86% of pupils met the expected standard and 36% reached the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 108. In maths, 64% met the expected standard and 29% reached the higher standard, with an average score of 106. Writing saw 79% at expected and 29% at the higher level. Nationally, the school ranks in the 47th percentile for its combined expected standard score, placing it 20th out of 43 schools in Teignbridge. Its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 confirmed a Good rating, with leadership and management also judged Good. The school had previously been rated Outstanding in 2013.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a sensory room, sports hall, ICT suite, music rooms, playing fields and a chapel. Sports provision covers cross country, swimming, netball, football and rounders, while clubs include drama, choir and film club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school’s SEND provisions are broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, severe learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication needs, hearing impairment, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. This is a small, full primary school in a rural Devon setting that is clearly popular with local families. It suits parents who want a strong academic record in a village school environment, and who are prepared to compete for a place given the oversubscription. The lack of nursery provision means children typically join in Reception.

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