SchoolScoresThomas Hall School
Free school · All-through, ages 4 to 16 · Mixed
Part of REACH SOUTH ACADEMY TRUST
Cowley Bridge Road, Exeter, EX4 5AD
01392 757371 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 19 March 2024.
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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
150 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Exeter comparisons use the 6 of its 10 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 4 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 | Exeter | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Exeter. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 80% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Exeter. Higher than 46% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Exeter. Higher than 49% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 78% | 77% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 58 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Exeter. Higher than 71% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 51% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 137 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Exeter. Higher than 62% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 73% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Exeter. Higher than 64% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85%said yes | 79% | 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. Exeter figures pool parents at the Exeter 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
28 pupils in this year group.
64% — 5 points above the Devon average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 64% | 59% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 7% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 79% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 86% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 75% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
52 pupils in this year group.
25% — 21 points below the Devon average, and 20 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 25% | 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. | 34.6 | 45.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.9 | 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.
25 pupils in this year group.
92% — about the same as the Devon average, and about the same as 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. | 92% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 4% | 23% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 68% | 56% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 16% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 92% |
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 (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 31 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 30 |
| Of those, offered a place | 30 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 56 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.7 · 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.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 9 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 9 |
| Of those, offered a place | 9 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 18 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 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 | Devon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 10 state secondary schools in Exeter. Higher than 59% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 31.0% | 22.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 10 state secondary schools in Exeter. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.4% | 4.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Exeter. Higher than 93% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.7% | 15.6%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Exeter. Higher than 52% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.9% | 5.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 9th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Exeter. Lower than 5% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 13.1% | 9.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Exeter. Lower than 4% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 39.2% | 26.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Exeter. Lower than 6% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 69.7 | 36.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 9th lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Exeter. Lower than 18% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4% | 9.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.44% | 0.29% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Exeter. Higher than 36% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2 | 17.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 8th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Exeter. Higher than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6 | 12.1 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 10 state secondary schools in Exeter. Higher than 87% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 22.6% | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- Exeter Mathematics School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · A- average A level grade
- Exeter Cathedral School 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Maynard School 1.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 61% A*/A at A level
- Exeter School 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 52% A*/A at A level
- St James School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- West Exe School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 1 needs attention · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
- Isca Academy 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2022 · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Luke's CofE School 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Thomas Hall School's Ofsted rating?
Thomas Hall School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 March 2024.
How did Thomas Hall School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 25% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 20 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Thomas Hall School?
85% of the 150 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Thomas Hall School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Thomas Hall School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 30 families put Thomas Hall School as their first choice for 31 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 30 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 147650.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.