Bishops Tawton Primary School, Barnstaple
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
This is a welcoming, caring school where children are happy to come each day and behave extremely well. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to build knowledge step-by-step, and the school makes excellent use of its local surroundings to bring learning to life. All children, including those with additional needs, receive the support they need to succeed.
Key Strengths
- Strong attendance rates and positive behaviour, with pupils being consistently kind and respectful to one another
- Well-designed curriculum that builds knowledge progressively and helps pupils make links across different subjects
- Effective support for pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, who progress well from their starting points
- Rich range of experiences including trips, outdoor learning, and music lessons that enhance learning and develop resilience
Areas for Improvement
- Proportion of pupils achieving higher levels in writing remains below the national average
- Not enough pupils met the national standards in Year 4 multiplication test
- Some staff lack the subject knowledge needed to teach phonics consistently well, slowing reading progress for some pupils
- Leaders' oversight of some subjects and governors' knowledge lack the precision needed for swift improvements
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified and managed, making pupils safer and helping them feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Tag rugby, netball, book club, swimming, cross-country, recorder and saxophone lessons, kayaking, abseiling, outdoor education centres, overnight residential trips to London, school council, play leader roles, charity fundraising events
Bishops Tawton Primary School is a caring school where pupils enjoy coming and behave well, with high attendance rates above the national average. Most pupils achieve well by Year 6, though writing at higher levels and Year 4 multiplication skills need strengthening.
At a Glance
6.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 85% to 77%. Maths has declined from 85% to 65%. Writing has declined from 80% to 69%.
Class Sizes
26.5
Avg class size
19.0
Infant (KS1)
34.0
KS2
6
Total classes
3 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Latest from Bishops Tawton Primary School
From Bishops Tawton Primary School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Getting There
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
96%
Near capacity
161 pupils
168 capacity
7 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Barnstaple
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Barnstaple
Admissions Demand - Devon
Places available
9,263
Applications
6,758
Got 1st preference
96.2%
Got preferred school
98.9%
Primary admissions across Devon (2025/26)
Inspection History(108)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.68552%
Overall absence
4.69799%
Persistent absence
149
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
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Bishops Tawton Primary School
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