Isca Academy, Exeter

Ofsted's report card from its 7 July 2026 inspection grades Isca Academy on 6 areas: 5 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Over time, pupils' attainment and progress at the end of Year 11 have been close to the national average in almost all subjects."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have constructed a well-sequenced, knowledge-rich curriculum that enables pupils to build on their prior knowledge in the subjects they study."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have high expectations of all pupils, including those who face barriers to their learning."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders are ambitious for the academic, social and emotional success of all pupils."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have created a coherent and broad personal development programme that incorporates religious education, citizenship, enrichment and relationships, sex and health education (RSHE)."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Overall, the rate of pupils' attendance is below the national average."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teachers use assessment information effectively to identify and address gaps and misconceptions in some pupils' knowledge"; "Leaders should ensure that all pupils develop secure foundational knowledge and skills in writing across the curriculum"; "Leaders should develop and sustain effective systems to ensure high attendance for all"; "Leaders should ensure that staff embed the behaviour policy with greater consistency so that fewer pupils are suspended for fixed periods from school".

In 2026, pupils at Isca Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47.4, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.2 in Devon and 47 across England.

51% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 45% in Devon and 47% in England.

That is up from 46.4 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.04: pupils made about average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 32.8, against 53.3 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 20.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 23 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and French.

For September 2026 entry, 96 families put Isca Academy as their first choice and 247 named it as one of their preferences, for 155 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Isca Academy are Atkinson Secure Children's Home (0.6 miles); West Exe School (1.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48); St Peter's Church of England Aided School (1.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.9); and Matford Brook Academy (1.5 miles).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Isca Academy.

Isca Academy is one of 18 schools run by The Ted Wragg Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 45.6 in 2024/25.

Of the 206 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 82% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 79% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

Isca Academy had 41 teachers in 2026, one for every 22 pupils: fewer teachers per pupil than a typical secondary school, at about one for every 17.

The nearest railway station is Marsh Barton Rail Station, about 880 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Isca Academy (nw-bound), 140 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 141 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour 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, Isca Academy issued 336 suspensions, 36.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Isca Academy are Wynstream Primary School Academy (0.4 miles), St Leonard's (CofE) Primary School (0.8 miles), Countess Wear Primary School (1.1 miles) and Woodwater Academy (1.1 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.