Gatehouse Primary Academy, Dawlish

Ofsted's report card from its 24 February 2026 inspection grades Gatehouse Primary Academy on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 4 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders prioritise pupils' personal development."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "The school's emphasis on inclusion is reflected in its positive impact on pupils' attendance and behaviour."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a welcoming early years environment."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders demonstrate a clear commitment to promoting an inclusive culture across the school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders at all levels have a clear vision for the school."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils do not achieve as well as they should in published outcomes over time."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Pupils do not develop some important foundational skills, particularly in writing, as well as they need to."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to embed the impact of their work and the work of staff, to develop and secure pupils' important foundational skills, particularly in writing"; "Leaders should strengthen teachers' expertise in adapting learning so that more pupils can learn successfully from their starting points"; "Leaders should continue to drive forward school improvements to embed secure and consistent practice across all areas of provision".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Gatehouse Primary Academy. We are a large, coastal primary school which became part of First Federation Trust on 1 July 2017. Our school is situated on the edge of the town with the beach and the sea just 500 metres away. The First Federation is a Multi-Academy Trust of primary schools across Plymouth, Devon and West Dorset."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include running, dance and cheerleading.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.

In 2025, 70% of Year 6 pupils at Gatehouse Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 66% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Devon and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 74% in reading and 68% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 51 families put Gatehouse Primary Academy as their first choice and 58 named it as one of their preferences, for 51 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Gatehouse Primary Academy are Westcliff Primary Academy (0.8 miles, Good, 48% reading, 50% maths); Cockwood Primary School (2 miles, Good, 93% reading, 87% maths); Hazeldown School (2.4 miles, Good, 80% reading, 81% maths); and Starcross Primary School (2.6 miles, 83% reading, 83% maths).

Gatehouse Primary Academy's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Gatehouse Primary Academy 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.

24 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Gatehouse Primary Academy (as of April 2026): 79% would recommend the school, 83% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (88%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

6.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 57 pupils (18.2%) received SEN support and 20 (6.4%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Dawlish Rail Station, about 1020 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Secmanton Lane (near), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 96 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Devon (16), as is usual near a town centre.

Gatehouse Primary Academy recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.