High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy, Umberleigh
High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy is a primary school for pupils aged 2 to 11 in Umberleigh, part of Team Multi-Academy Trust. It has a Church of England religious character. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2026, ended in a report card: 4 strong standard and 3 expected standard. Before that it was rated Good at its last graded inspection, in October 2021. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 47th-highest of the 269 schools in Devon with published results, and 2,629th of 14,452 across England. It was 82% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted report card
- 4 of 7 areas strong or better
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Devon (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 17 March 2026 inspection grades High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy on 7 areas: 4 strong standard and 3 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.
Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils enjoy coming to school and this is reflected in the high rates of attendance."
Early years - Strong standard. "Children in the early years get off to a flying start."
Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders ensure that equality of opportunity is embedded in everything that takes place at High Bickington."
Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Pupils at High Bickington have a deep sense of right from wrong."
Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils at this school achieve well."
Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Since the previous inspection, school leaders have developed a curriculum that is ambitious and builds knowledge progressively over time."
Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "School and trust leaders, along with those responsible for governance, know their school well."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to ensure that teachers' use of assessment to check what pupils already know, including through questioning, enables them to make changes to their teaching as necessary so that pupils achieve very well".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Results
In 2025, 87% of Year 6 pupils at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 87% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Devon and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 71% in reading and 71% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy
For September 2026 entry, 10 families put High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy as their first choice and 11 named it as one of their preferences, for 10 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy are Umberleigh Primary Academy (2.2 miles, Good, 86% reading, 86% maths); Beaford Community Primary & Nursery School (4.5 miles, 47% reading, 47% maths); and Filleigh Community Primary School (6.2 miles, Good, 30% reading, 30% maths).
High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.
Umberleigh Primary AcademyBeaford Community Primary & Nursery SchoolFilleigh Community Primary School
The trust
High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy is one of 8 schools run by Team Multi-Academy Trust, an academy trust.
What parents say
33 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy (as of April 2026): 94% would recommend the school, 91% say their child is happy there and 0% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (97%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (0%).
Who goes there
4.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 7 pupils (8.3%) received SEN support and 1 (1.2%) 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 autism.
Staffing
High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy had 11 teachers in 2026, one for every 7 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Portsmouth Arms Rail Station, about 2.1 miles away in a straight line.
2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Shelter (nw-bound), 90 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 2 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Devon (16).
Suspensions and exclusions
High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; 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 · 7 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards met
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Early yearsStrong standard
- InclusionStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Safeguarding standards: met
Ofsted's report card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy
The school's vision of ‘Let your light shine' is lived out daily by the pupils at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy. Expectations for what pupils can achieve are high. The atmosphere in the playground, as pupils arrive at school on their bikes and scooters, is calm and welcoming. As pupils move into their classrooms, they remain calm but swiftly focus their attention on purposeful activities that support them in their learning. By the end of Year 6, many pupils achieve highly in national curriculum tests. The school is at the heart of the community. Staff know pupils well. Staff swiftly remove any barriers to pupils' learning and wellbeing. Pupils are safe and say they feel safe. They know that if they had any concerns, they could speak to a member of staff. They know they would be supported. Pupils enjoy coming to school and attend well. They strive to do their absolute best. Pupils across the school behave extremely well. They are polite and courteous to visitors as well as to each other. Older pupils engage in conversation with visitors in a confident and mature manner. There are many opportunities for pupils to develop their skills and talents. For example, pupils learn to play different musical instruments, and they then perform at a proms event at a local theatre. Pupils also participate in activities to build their confidence and resilience, such as rock climbing and gymnastics events. Pupils are well prepared for life beyond school. They learn how relationships change over time. They also learn to keep themselves safe when they are online. Parents are highly positive about their children's experience at school. They say that the school and staff are nurturing and it is a place where children fall in love with learning.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- Leaders should continue to ensure that teachers' use of assessment to check what pupils already know, including through questioning, enables them to make changes to their teaching as necessary so that pupils achieve very well.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 17 March 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's March 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
High Bickington stands out for creating a warm, inclusive community where every child is known and supported. Pupils develop strong values, excellent behaviour, and a real sense of pride in their school and local community. The school balances academic achievement with rich personal development, including trips to Bristol and London that broaden pupils' understanding of different cultures and ethical issues.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional behaviour and attendance - pupils are intrinsically motivated to behave well and attend school regularly
- Strong early years provision with experienced staff and rigorous focus on phonics and vocabulary development
- Excellent inclusion and support for pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, ensuring they access the curriculum successfully
- Ambitious, well-planned curriculum that builds knowledge progressively and celebrates the local rural community
- High quality teaching with strong phonics instruction and subject knowledge that engages pupils
Areas for Improvement
- Assessment of pupil understanding is not always used effectively to adapt teaching, meaning some pupils continue with gaps in knowledge
- Some pupils are given work that is not as ambitious as it could be
- Teaching could be better tailored based on regular checks of what pupils understand
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met. Leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and acted upon, and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Chess club, running club, trips to Bristol and London, book and biscuit reading events, school council, litter picking activities, singing at local residential homes, sporting activities for pupils with SEND
High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy is a school where pupils achieve well, with most exceeding national averages in tests. The school has a strong culture of excellent behaviour, high attendance, and inclusive practice that ensures all pupils, including those with additional needs, are well supported.
At a Glance
4.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
33 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at April 2026 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 71% to 87% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 71% to 87% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 87% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
19.8
Avg class size
28.0
Infant (KS1)
19.0
KS2
4
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy 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 High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy
Will you get a place at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy:
- The straight-line distance from your home to High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Devon, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy for 2017 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
82%
Available places
81 pupils
99 places
18 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Umberleigh
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Umberleigh
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(4)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
7
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
9.5%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
84
Total Pupils
46
Boys
38
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
11
Teachers
7.6:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£56,743
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£7,748
Per pupil
£661k
Total funding
£9k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.5%
Overall absence
13.8%
Persistent absence
65
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy
What are SATs results like at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy?
Of the pupils at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 87% reached the expected standard in reading and 87% did so in maths.
What is High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy's most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in October 2021, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy?
No fixed boundary. When High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy is oversubscribed, Devon allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy?
High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy was not full in 2025: it ran at 82% of its 99 places.
How big are the classes at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy?
Classes at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy average 19.8 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy?
High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy has around 84 pupils on roll. 5% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy?
4.5% of sessions were missed at High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy in 2024/25. 13.8% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy?
Apply through Devon's coordinated admissions process, naming High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy 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.
How many road collisions happen near High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy?
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 High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy?
High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy is at High Bickington, Umberleigh, Devon, EX37 9AY.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)