SchoolScoresThe Spires College
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of Westlands School Trust
Westlands Lane, Torquay, TQ1 3PE
01803 400660 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 April 2017.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 16 November 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
183 pupils in this year group.
51% — 2 points above the Torbay average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Torbay | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 51% | 50% | 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. | 44.5 | 47.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.9 | 4.1 | 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.
205 pupils in this year group.
91% — 3 points below the Torbay average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Torbay | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 28% | 38% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Further education college | 58% | 47% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 91% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
40 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Torbay | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 15% | 32% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 34% | 60% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 28.0 | 34.6 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
14 subjects, 96 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 13 | 0% | 0% | 40% |
| History | 10 | 0% | 20% | 23% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 10 | 0% | 10% | 17% |
| Psychology | 10 | 10% | 30% | 19% |
| Biology | 8 | 0% | 13% | 27% |
| English Literature | 8 | 0% | 13% | 23% |
| Geography | 7 | 0% | 14% | 23% |
| Logic / Philosophy | 7 | 0% | 14% | 19% |
| Physics | 6 | 0% | 0% | 31% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Film Studies, Art and Design (Photography), Spanish, Chemistry.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
60 students in this year group.
73% — 2 points below the Torbay average, and 6 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Torbay | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 73% | 75% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 8% | 10% | 7% |
| Work | 30% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 69% | 73% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
41 students in this year group.
61% — 8 points above the Torbay average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Torbay | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 61% | 53% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 22% | 22% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 56% | 61% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 Torbay. 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 | 194 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 199 |
| Of those, offered a place | 134 (67%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 561 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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 | Torbay | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay. Higher than 59% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 30.8% | 24.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay. Higher than 89% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.5% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay. Higher than 87% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.0% | 10.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay. Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9% | 6.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay. Lower than 46% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6% | 8.7%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay. Lower than 48% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.9% | 22.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay. Lower than 23% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 30.9 | 25.1 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay. Lower than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7% | 6.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.27% | 0.19% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay. Higher than 13% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.7 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay. Higher than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay. Higher than 62% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6% | 7.8%* | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- St Cuthbert Mayne School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 26% grade 5+ English and maths
- Torquay Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2025 · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- Torquay Girls' Grammar School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 90% grade 5+ English and maths
- Torquay Boys' Grammar School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 4 expected · 93% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Spires College's Ofsted rating?
The Spires College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 April 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 16 November 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Spires College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 51% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 6 points above the England average of 45%.
Is The Spires College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 199 families put The Spires College as their first choice for 194 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 134 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 113526.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.