Thomas Hall School, Exeter

In its own words: "Thomas Hall School has an obligation under section 78 of the Education Act (2002) which requires all schools, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of students at the school. This includes actively promoting British values."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We believe every child deserves high quality teaching and enriching experiences. By living our values of Belong, Inspire, Grow , we help every child feel seen, supported, and ready for the opportunities ahead. Choosing how your child will be educated is one of the most important decisions that you will make as a parent."

The school runs after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Friday 15 January 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Thomas Hall School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 37.4, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.2 in Devon and 47 across England.

37% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 45% in Devon and 47% in England.

That is up from 34.6 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.27: pupils made below 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 26.7, against 47 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 20.3 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 18 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

For September 2026 entry, 30 families put Thomas Hall School as their first choice and 56 named it as one of their preferences, for 31 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 Thomas Hall School are St James School (2.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49.2); Atkinson Secure Children's Home (2.3 miles); West Exe School (2.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48); and Isca Academy (2.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47.4).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Thomas Hall School.

Thomas Hall School is one of 20 schools run by Reach South Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 37.4 in 2024/25.

Of the 54 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 83% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 9% into work.

34.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 11.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (77%) and Mixed (7%).

In 2026, 109 pupils (24.9%) received SEN support and 36 (8.2%) 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 Exeter St Davids Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is West Garth Road (s-bound), 140 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Thomas Hall School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 7th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 48 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Devon (16), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Thomas Hall School issued 319 suspensions, 69.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 2 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Thomas Hall School are Exwick Heights Primary School (1.1 miles), St David's CofE Primary School (1.3 miles), St Sidwell's Church of England Primary School & Nursery (1.3 miles) and Stoke Hill Junior School (1.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.