Upton St James CofE Primary School, Torquay

In its own words: "At Upton St James CofE Primary School, our aim is that everyone in our school community can: We have the highest expectations for all our learners and aim for them to be well-prepared for their next phase of education."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our school has been serving the community here for over 100 years. We are very proud of our inclusive, friendly CofE school where everyone in our school community is enabled and encouraged to 'rise to their best'. A strength of our school is its size: we are a small school with a maximum number of 105 pupils."

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

In 2025, 60% of Year 6 pupils at Upton St James CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 53% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 74% in Torbay and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 67% in reading and 33% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 7 families put Upton St James CofE Primary School as their first choice and 15 named it as one of their preferences, for 7 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Upton St James CofE Primary School are Ellacombe Church of England Academy (0.3 miles, Good, 84% reading, 89% maths); Homelands Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 73% reading, 67% maths); Torre Church of England Academy (0.5 miles, Good, 91% reading, 86% maths); and St Margaret's Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 68% reading, 66% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Upton St James CofE Primary School.

Upton St James CofE Primary School is one of 21 schools run by St Christopher's C of E (primary) Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

20 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Upton St James CofE Primary School (as of September 2025): 70% would recommend the school, 95% say their child is happy there and 70% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (95%); the weakest, that they would recommend the school (70%).

45.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 11.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (64%) and Black (12%).

In 2026, 31 pupils (33%) received SEN support and 7 (7.4%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

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

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Coach Station (ne-bound), 190 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 532 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Torbay (245), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Upton St James CofE Primary School issued 19 suspensions, 19.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The secondary schools closest to Upton St James CofE Primary School are The Spires College (0.5 miles), Torquay Academy (0.5 miles), St Cuthbert Mayne School (0.7 miles) and Torquay Girls' Grammar School (0.9 miles).