Hayward's Primary School, Crediton

Ofsted's report card from its 3 March 2026 inspection grades Hayward's Primary School on 7 areas: 2 strong standard and 5 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "There is a palpable expectation in the school that all pupils will be successful."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Pupils benefit from an impressive personal development offer that is underpinned by a broad and rich set of experiences."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils typically achieve well in the subjects that they study."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils' attendance is in line with the national average for primary schools and has been for some time."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders regularly review the curriculum to check that it is having a positive impact on pupils' achievement."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children get off to a positive start at this school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have built a school that is the heartbeat of the community."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "The school should continue to raise its ambitions for what pupils can achieve across the curriculum, so that an increased proportion of pupils in key stage 2 achieve more highly".

In its own words: "We have a two form entry which goes throughout the school. Our classes range in size from the mid-twenties to thirty and are well supported by skilled teachers and excellent teaching assistants. Our classes are divided into four units across the school."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 85% of Year 6 pupils at Hayward's Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 70% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Devon and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 60% in reading and 65% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 59 families put Hayward's Primary School as their first choice and 78 named it as one of their preferences, for 59 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 Hayward's Primary School are Landscore Primary School (1 mile, Good, 85% reading, 74% maths); Sandford School (1.6 miles, Good, 81% reading, 76% maths); Newton St Cyres Primary School (2.9 miles, Good, 67% reading, 73% maths); and Yeoford Community Primary School (3.6 miles, Good, 60% reading, 60% maths).

Hayward's Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.

60 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Hayward's Primary School (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 95% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that their child is happy at the school (95%).

6.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 56 pupils (13.9%) received SEN support and 25 (6.2%) 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 Crediton Rail Station, about 620 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Snooker Hall (e-bound), 80 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 51 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Devon (16), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Hayward's Primary School issued 5 suspensions, 1.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.