Paignton Academy
Secondary · Academy converter · Ages 11–16 · Paignton, Torbay
Paignton Academy is a secondary school in Paignton, Torbay for ages 11–16 (academy converter). Its latest Ofsted outcome is Not judged, from the inspection on 3 December 2024.
Key facts
- Address
- Waterleat Road, Paignton, TQ3 3WA
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Sector
- See recorded establishment type
- Admissions policy
- Non-selective
- Council
- Torbay
- Pupils on roll
- 1,568 January 2026 school census
- Free school meals
- 34.1% of pupils eligible
- Pupils per teacher
- 16.3
Official record: Get Information about Schools · as at 15 September 2026
Ofsted
Not judged Inspected 3 December 2024
Strengths
- “Leaders create a strong feeling of community, despite being physically separated.”
- “Pupils make use of sporting facilities on both sites, take part in shared school productions and attend trips and visits together.”
- “Most pupils show positive attitudes towards their learning in lessons.”
To improve
- “Although the school, with the support of the trust, has established high expectations of pupils, weaknesses remain in the quality of education that the school provides.”
- “The published data shows that, typically, pupils’ attainment is below the national average.”
- “However, there is more work to be done to improve how pupils treat each other outside of lessons.”
Safeguarding: Effective
Quoted from the Ofsted report published 13 January 2025 (read the report). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
Exam results
| Measure | School | England |
|---|---|---|
| GCSE English and maths, grade 5 or above (2024/25) | 25% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 score (2024/25) | 36.9 | 46 |
Department for Education school performance data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Applications and offers
- 2026 Year 7 entry: 265 first-preference applications, 286 offers in total, 261 offers to first-preference applicants.
Department for Education, school-level applications and offers, figures on national offer day. Earlier years are in the pass.
More with a 3-month pass
A one-off £9.99 pass, no subscription, unlocks for 3 months:
- Earlier years of applications and offers
- Earlier years of exam results
- Where pupils go after they leave
- Crime, sold prices, broadband and transport around the school
A last distance offered describes one past year and is not a catchment or a promise of a place. Check with the council before you apply.
Nearby secondary schools
Straight-line distance, in Torbay.
- Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy 2.6 mi Good
- Torquay Boys' Grammar School 3.4 mi No Ofsted grade
- Torquay Girls' Grammar School 3.5 mi Outstanding
- Torquay Academy 3.9 mi Standards maintained
- The Spires College 4.2 mi School remains Good
- Brixham College 4.3 mi No Ofsted grade
- St Cuthbert Mayne School 4.4 mi Not judged