SchoolScoresAxe Valley Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of BLACKDOWN EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP
Chard Street, Axminster, EX13 5EA
0129732146 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 September 2023.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
113 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Devon comparisons use the 23 of its 43 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 20 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 3rd highest of 23 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 77% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 2nd highest of 23 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 79% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 23 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 78% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 70% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 40 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 3rd highest of 23 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 84% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 44% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 79 parents who had raised a concern Joint 7th highest of 23 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 65% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 64% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 23 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Devon. Higher than 88% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93%said yes | 73% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Devon figures pool parents at the Devon schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
138 pupils in this year group.
30% — 16 points below the Devon average, and 15 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 30% | 46% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 39.2 | 45.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.3 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
107 pupils in this year group.
94% — 2 points above the Devon average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 94% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 16% | 23% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 67% | 56% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 94% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Devon. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 166 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 157 |
| Of those, offered a place | 157 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 231 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 57% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 30.0% | 22.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 90% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.7% | 4.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.2% | 15.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 14th highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.5% | 5.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 36th lowest of 42 state secondary schools in Devon. Lower than 10% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7% | 9.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) Joint 35th lowest of 42 state secondary schools in Devon. Lower than 12% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 33.1% | 26.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 23rd lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Lower than 20% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 34.1 | 36.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 14th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Lower than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 9.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.13% | 0.29% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 36th highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 33% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.0 | 17.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 8th highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.9 | 12.1 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 32nd highest of 43 state secondary schools in Devon. Higher than 24% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 14.4%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Questions parents ask
What is Axe Valley Academy's Ofsted rating?
Axe Valley Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 September 2023.
How did Axe Valley Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 30% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 15 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Axe Valley Academy?
93% of the 113 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Axe Valley Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Axe Valley Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 157 families put Axe Valley Academy as their first choice for 166 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 157 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 144392.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.