Phoenix Bay School, Torquay

Special
Other independent special school
Mixed
Ages 516

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Principal Ross Banks
Pupils:29 / 50 capacity
LA:Devon
Phone:01803220750
Address:The Pavillion, 3 Seale Hayne, Torquay, TQ12 6NQ
Status:open
Opened:21 September 2021

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 11 months ago
-

Overall

Inspected 1 October 2025View full report
URN:148761
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:Newton Abbot
Urban/Rural:Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

Phoenix Bay School excels at providing a safe, supportive environment for vulnerable pupils with special educational needs. The school demonstrates outstanding commitment to safeguarding through secure systems and well-trained staff who know each pupil individually. Recent expansions have created thoughtfully designed spaces that support pupils' sensory needs and include practical facilities like a hairdressing room to develop career skills.

Key Strengths

  • Strong and embedded safeguarding culture with secure systems, clear policies, and regular staff training
  • Well-managed health, safety and fire safety procedures with effective risk assessments
  • Strategic staff recruitment with diverse expertise and commitment to maintaining high staff-to-pupil ratios
  • Thoughtfully refurbished premises with separate teaching areas, practical skill facilities, and sensory-friendly design
  • Clear leadership vision focused on providing high-quality education and pastoral care for vulnerable pupils

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is effective with a strong and embedded culture supported by secure systems, clear policies, regular staff training, and staff who know pupils well and confidently report concerns.

Phoenix Bay School is an independent special school for pupils aged 5-16 with social, emotional and mental health needs. The school is likely to meet all relevant independent school standards following its request to expand from 24 to 50 pupils.

At a Glance

No

Boarding

No

Nursery

No

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

Class Sizes

0.0

Avg class size

0

Total classes

2024/25 academic year

Getting There

Bus Stops

Howton Lane (adj)
929m · 15 min walk
Cowslip Crescent (nr)
972m · 16 min walk
Buttercup Way (S-bound)
1.1km · 18 min walk
Hele Park (E-bound)
1.2km · 20 min walk
Stover School (opp)
1.3km · 21 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

58%

Available places

29 pupils

50 capacity

21 spare places available

Area Demand Pressure - Torquay

Low pressure
New homes approved:863
Projected new pupils:155

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Torquay

Admissions Demand - Devon

Low demand0.93x oversubscription

Places available

8,027

Applications

7,482

Got 1st preference

93.3%

Got preferred school

98.2%

Secondary admissions across Devon (2025/26)

Inspection History(5)

1 October 2025
30 April 2024
6 July 2023

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SEN Provision

How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.

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Pupil Demographics

The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.

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