The hardest schools to get into in Torbay
Secondary: 228 families put Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy first in 2026 and 147 of them (65%) were offered a place - places depend on the 11-plus.
Reception: 72 families put Preston Primary School first in 2026 and 45 of them (63%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Torbay with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy · Brixham · grammar (11-plus) | 228 | 147 (65%) | 159 |
| 2 | The Spires College · Torquay | 199 | 134 (67%) | 194 |
| 3 | Torquay Academy · Torquay | 342 | 233 (68%) | 250 |
| 4 | Torquay Girls' Grammar School · Torquay · grammar (11-plus) | 247 | 180 (73%) | 191 |
| 5 | Torquay Boys' Grammar School · Torquay · grammar (11-plus) | 215 | 160 (74%) | 166 |
| 6 | Paignton Academy · Paignton | 265 | 261 (99%) | 286 |
| 7 | Brixham College · Brixham | 115 | 114 (99%) | 134 |
| 8 | St Cuthbert Mayne School · Torquay · faith | 75 | 75 (100%) | 189 |
Primary schools (Reception)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preston Primary School · Torquay | 72 | 45 (63%) | 45 |
| 2 | Ilsham Church of England Academy · Torquay · faith | 33 | 25 (76%) | 25 |
| 3 | Galmpton Church of England Primary School · Brixham · faith | 39 | 30 (77%) | 30 |
| 4 | Shiphay Learning Academy · Torquay | 34 | 30 (88%) | 30 |
| 5 | Kings Ash Academy · Paignton | 23 | 22 (96%) | 23 |
| 6 | St Margaret's Academy · Torquay | 35 | 34 (97%) | 34 |
| 7 | Roselands Primary School · Paignton | 41 | 40 (98%) | 44 |
| 8 | Sherwell Valley Primary School · Torquay | 74 | 73 (99%) | 77 |
| 9 | White Rock Primary School · Paignton | 70 | 70 (100%) | 73 |
| 10 | Lift Barton Hill · Torquay | 56 | 56 (100%) | 56 |
| 11 | Oldway Primary School · Paignton | 49 | 49 (100%) | 55 |
| 12 | Hayes School · Paignton | 42 | 42 (100%) | 42 |
| 13 | Cockington Primary School · Torquay | 38 | 38 (100%) | 43 |
| 14 | Curledge Street Academy · Paignton | 37 | 37 (100%) | 37 |
| 15 | Torre Church of England Academy · TORQUAY · faith | 37 | 37 (100%) | 39 |
| 16 | Eden Park Primary & Nursery School · Brixham | 28 | 28 (100%) | 29 |
| 17 | All Saints Babbacombe CofE Primary School · Torquay · faith | 27 | 27 (100%) | 28 |
| 18 | Homelands Primary School · Torquay | 27 | 27 (100%) | 28 |
| 19 | Ellacombe Church of England Academy · Torquay · faith | 26 | 26 (100%) | 27 |
| 20 | Watcombe Primary School · Torquay | 25 | 25 (100%) | 27 |
| 21 | Furzeham Primary School · Brixham | 21 | 21 (100%) | 22 |
| 22 | Warberry CofE Academy · Torquay · faith | 20 | 20 (100%) | 22 |
| 23 | St Michael's Church of England Academy · Paignton · faith | 20 | 20 (100%) | 25 |
Getting into a school in Torbay
What is the hardest school to get into in Torbay?
For secondary places, 228 families put Churston Ferrers Grammar School Academy first in 2026 and 147 of them (65%) were offered a place - places depend on the 11-plus. For Reception, 72 families put Preston Primary School first and 45 of them (63%) were offered a place.
Churston Ferrers Grammar School AcademyPreston Primary School
How many families in Torbay get their first-choice school?
79.7% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 94.2% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Torbay published it in its admissions booklet.