Blackpool Church of England Primary School, Newton Abbot
Blackpool Church of England Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Newton Abbot, part of The First Federation Trust. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in July 2024. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 20th-highest of the 27 schools in Newton Abbot with published results, and 9,801st of 14,452 across England. It was 84% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2024)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Devon (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Blackpool Church of England Primary School in detail
Blackpool Church of England Primary School in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Blackpool Church of England Primary School, which is situated on the very edge of Dartmoor National Park. Blackpool is a mixed primary school for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and marries the best aspects of a large Primary with an idyllic rural setting."
The school runs after-school care.
Headteacher's welcome (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 69% of Year 6 pupils at Blackpool Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 74% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Devon and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 63% in reading and 54% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at Blackpool Church of England Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 24 families put Blackpool Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 41 named it as one of their preferences, for 25 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Blackpool Church of England Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Blackpool Church of England Primary School are St Catherine's CofE Primary School (1.4 miles, Good, 58% reading, 68% maths); Ilsington Church of England Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 88% reading, 88% maths); Bradley Barton Primary School and Nursery Unit (2.6 miles, Good, 79% reading, 80% maths); and Bovey Tracey Academy (2.8 miles, 76% reading, 76% maths).
Blackpool Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.
St Catherine's CofE Primary SchoolIlsington Church of England Primary SchoolBradley Barton Primary School and Nursery UnitBovey Tracey Academy
The trust
Blackpool Church of England Primary School is one of 29 schools run by The First Federation Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 57% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
Who goes there
7.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 32 pupils (13.1%) received SEN support and 7 (2.9%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Blackpool Church of England Primary School.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 6 crimes within a mile of the school, most often shoplifting, violence and sexual offences and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Devon (16).
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Blackpool Church of England Primary School issued 13 suspensions, 4.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Pupils at Blackpool Church of England Primary School are polite and welcoming. They, along with staff, are proud members of this school. Pupils value the opportunities and experiences on offer. For example, pupils can take on roles of responsibility, such as school council representatives, eco club, ethos club, play leaders and house captains. They know the expectations of being a part of these groups and the impact that they have on their school community. Pupils enjoy the trips and visits to enrich the curriculum. Consequently, they feel well-prepared for their next stage.
Recent improvements to the curriculum design and implementation are supporting pupils to know more and remember more. Children in Reception get off to a good start and are well prepared for key stage 1.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
The school has come through a period of significant change. This has required a necessary shift in culture and practice. The school, along with trust support, has identified clear priorities to ensure that the quality of education that pupils receive continues to improve. These are making a real difference across the school. However, the priorities are early in development. Some pupils experience too much variation from staff in response to their learning, social and emotional needs.
The trust has been instrumental in providing support for the school as it strengthens the quality of education. The school has appreciated this, and the balance of support and challenge it offers. However, there is a lack of strategy in some areas of the school's provision. Sometimes the necessary level of information and detail, too much or too little, results in a lack of clarity for those leading in different areas. This means knowledge of the impact of actions and decisions is not accurate or as useful as it could be.
From Ofsted's July 2024 inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its July 2024 inspection.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
7.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 63% to 69% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 54% to 74% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 66% to 72% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
27.1
Avg class size
25.7
Infant (KS1)
28.0
KS2
8
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Latest from Blackpool Church of England Primary School
Blackpool Newsletter - Summer Term
24 Jul 2026
Blackpool Newsletter - Spring Term 2
4 Apr 2026
Blackpool Newsletter - Spring Term 1
13 Feb 2026
Blackpool Newsletter - Autumn Term 2
19 Dec 2025
Blackpool Newsletter - Autumn Term 1
24 Oct 2025
Autumn Term - Upcoming Events
24 Oct 2025
From Blackpool Church of England Primary School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Keep up with Blackpool Church of England Primary School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Blackpool Church of England Primary School.
- FISH BlackpoolAt the school · Not yet graded
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Blackpool Church of England Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Blackpool Church of England Primary School is in Devon; for families living there:
- Devon's school travel policy: Free school transport
- How to apply: Apply for free school transport
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Devon is 3 (the median across 426 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Blackpool Church of England Primary School
Will you get a place at Blackpool Church of England Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Blackpool Church of England Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Blackpool Church of England Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Blackpool Church of England Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Devon, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Blackpool Church of England Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Devon got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
84%
Available places
264 pupils
315 places
51 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Newton Abbot
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Newton Abbot
Across Devon council
Places available
9,014
Applications
6,494
Got 1st preference
96.5%
Got preferred school
99.1%
All primary applications across Devon council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(2)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
32
SEN Support
7
EHC Plans
16.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
244
Total Pupils
125
Boys
119
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
16
Teachers
15.3:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£50,836
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£4,955
Per pupil
£1458k
Total funding
£26k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.5%
Overall absence
7.6%
Persistent absence
238
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Blackpool Church of England Primary School
What are SATs results like at Blackpool Church of England Primary School?
Of the pupils at Blackpool Church of England Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 69% reached the expected standard in reading and 74% did so in maths.
What is Blackpool Church of England Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Blackpool Church of England Primary School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2024. At its previous graded inspection in 2012 it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Blackpool Church of England Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Blackpool Church of England Primary School is oversubscribed, Devon allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Blackpool Church of England Primary School?
Blackpool Church of England Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 84% of its 315 places.
How big are the classes at Blackpool Church of England Primary School?
Classes at Blackpool Church of England Primary School average 27.1 pupils (2025/26). 2 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Blackpool Church of England Primary School?
Blackpool Church of England Primary School has around 244 pupils on roll. 8% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Blackpool Church of England Primary School?
4.5% of sessions were missed at Blackpool Church of England Primary School in 2024/25. 7.6% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Blackpool Church of England Primary School?
Apply through Devon's coordinated admissions process, naming Blackpool Church of England Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does Blackpool Church of England Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: FISH Blackpool (registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near Blackpool Church of England Primary School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Devon is 3 (the median across 426 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Blackpool Church of England Primary School?
Blackpool Church of England Primary School is at Liverton, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6JB.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)