Axe Valley Academy, Axminster

In its own words: "These are universal and apply to all members of the academy. They are clearly communicated to all members of the community through assemblies, notices and displays and provide the framework for a values education programme, reward systems and other key areas of the academy."

In 2026, pupils at Axe Valley Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.2 in Devon and 47 across England.

33% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 45% in Devon and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 39.2.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.4: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 37.7, against 40.6 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 2.9 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Art and Design, Biology and Physics.

For September 2026 entry, 157 families put Axe Valley Academy as their first choice and 231 named it as one of their preferences, for 166 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Axe Valley Academy are The Woodroffe School (4.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50); and Colyton Grammar School (5.1 miles, Outstanding, selective, Attainment 8 78.3).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Axe Valley Academy.

Axe Valley Academy is one of 14 schools run by Blackdown Education Partnership, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 45.5 in 2024/25.

Of the 115 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 69% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 61% to a further education college, 15% to an apprenticeship and 5% into work.

5.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 199 pupils (26.9%) received SEN support and 48 (6.5%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Axminster Rail Station, about 820 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hospital (opposite), 50 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 49 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and drug offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Devon (16), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Axe Valley Academy issued 258 suspensions, 34.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Axe Valley Academy are Axminster Community Primary Academy (0.2 miles); St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Axminster (0.2 miles); All Saints Church of England Primary School (1.6 miles); and Kilmington Primary School (1.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.