The Erme Primary School, Ivybridge

Ofsted's report card from its 31 March 2026 inspection grades The Erme Primary School on 7 areas: 2 expected standard and 5 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders place an emphasis on inclusion and make sure it is at the heart of the school's work."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "There is an effective personal development programme for pupils."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils, including some who have barriers to their learning, do not achieve well enough in national tests and assessments over time."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "As a result of leaders' oversight, there is a newly-introduced approach to managing pupils' behaviour across the school."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "The school's work to bring about change is beginning to positively impact pupils."

Early years - Needs attention. "While leaders recognise the importance of high-quality education in the early years, there is more to do to improve the quality of teaching and adult interactions so that teaching maximises learning and language development."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "After a period of instability, leaders have precisely identified the school's priorities for improvement and are taking suitable actions to address these deficiencies."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to take action to improve the quality of teaching across the school, embedding effective teaching approaches that support pupils to learn effectively"; "Leaders should support staff to raise their expectations of pupils' engagement within lessons so that pupils display pride in their work and have positive attitudes to learning"; "Leaders need to effectively address the gaps in older pupils' foundational knowledge so that they achieve as well as their peers nationally"; "Leaders should continue to increase the rigour and pace to bring about the improvements required so that pupils consistently benefit from a high-quality education".

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 44% of Year 6 pupils at The Erme Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 38% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Devon and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 83% in reading and 50% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 6 families put The Erme Primary School as their first choice and 30 named it as one of their preferences, for 7 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 primary schools to The Erme Primary School are Manor Primary School, Ivybridge (0.3 miles, 53% reading, 47% maths); Stowford School (0.4 miles, Good, 94% reading, 97% maths); Woodlands Park Primary School (0.7 miles, Outstanding, 75% reading, 68% maths); and Ermington Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 89% reading, 84% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than The Erme Primary School.

42 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The Erme Primary School (as of April 2026): 50% would recommend the school, 69% say their child is happy there and 8% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (71%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (8%).

7.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 24 pupils (23.8%) received SEN support and 4 (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 Ivybridge Rail Station, about 1140 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sportsmans Inn (opposite), 300 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 42 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Devon (16), as is usual near a town centre.

The Erme Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.