Torquay Boys' Grammar School

Grammar school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Sixth form

Part of TORQUAY BOYS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Shiphay Manor Drive, Torquay, TQ2 7EL

01803 615501 · School website · Map and directions

Ofsted report card3 strong, 4 expectedSafeguarding met · 24 February 2026
Grade 5 or above in English and maths93%England 45% · 2024/25
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Higher than 97% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,087Room for 1,160 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,074 in 2019, 1,093 in 2021, 1,087 in 2022, 1,075 in 2023, 1,093 in 2024, 1,100 in 2025, 1,087 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.3215 for 166 places, September 2026
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Higher than 87% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 24 February 2026 , published 7 June 2026.

In short: 3 strong, 4 expected, and safeguarding met.

Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.

AreaGrade
SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. Met
InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects.
Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.
AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects.
Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects.
Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.
Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.
Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

227 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.

StatementThis schoolEngland
My child is happy at this school
Higher than 83% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
92% 83%
My child feels safe at this school
Higher than 90% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
97% 85%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Higher than 86% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
91% 78%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 23 parents whose child had been bullied
Higher than 91% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
70% 43%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 176 parents who had raised a concern
Higher than 77% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
81% 74%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 41 parents of children with SEND
Higher than 92% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
88% 63%
I would recommend this school to another parent
Higher than 79% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
93%said yes 83%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 21%). 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. 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

167 pupils in this year group.

93% — 44 points above the Torbay average, and 48 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolTorbayEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 93% 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. 70.8 47.4 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 6.5 4.1 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 40% 60% 80% 100% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 89%This school 2023/24: 89%This school 2024/25: 93% This school England 45% 2022/23 89% 2023/24 89% 2024/25 93%

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.

164 pupils in this year group.

98% — 4 points above the Torbay average, and 6 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 75%20%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolTorbayEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 98% 94% 92%
School sixth form 75% 38% 34%
Sixth form college 0% 0% 13%
Further education college 20% 47% 37%
Apprenticeship 1% 3% 3%
Work 2% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
97%98%

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

93 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolTorbayEngland
Average A level grade B- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 31% 32% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 56% 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. 35.6 34.6 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 37.8This school 2023/24: 37.6This school 2024/25: 35.6 This school England 35 2022/23 37.8 2023/24 37.6 2024/25 35.6

A level subjects, 2024/25

17 subjects, 286 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 50 28% 50% 40%
Physics 34 6% 32% 31%
Biology 29 7% 31% 27%
Geography 28 0% 14% 23%
Chemistry 26 8% 50% 30%
Economics 20 0% 5% 26%
Business Studies:Single 18 0% 22% 16%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 15 0% 7% 17%
Mathematics (Further) 14 14% 43% 59%
Computer Studies / Computing 11 9% 45% 24%
Design and Technology (Engineering) 11 0% 36% 10%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 7 0% 57% 38%
English Literature 7 0% 14% 23%
History 6 0% 0% 23%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Logic / Philosophy, Media/Film/Tv Studies, Music.

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.

119 students in this year group.

83% — 8 points above the Torbay average, and 4 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolTorbayEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 83% 75% 79%
Apprenticeship 5% 10% 7%
Work 23% 33% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
86%83%

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.

149 students in this year group.

84% — 31 points above the Torbay average, and 24 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolTorbayEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 84% 53% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 57% 22% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
87%84%

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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered166
Families who put it first215
Of those, offered a place160 (74%)
Families who listed it at all304

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.3

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.

This is a grammar school: places depend on passing an entrance test (the 11 plus), usually taken in September of Year 6.

Admissions dates and schools in Torbay

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolTorbayEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Higher than 3% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
5.9% 24.5%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Higher than 4% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
0.6% 2.8%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Higher than 1% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.2% 10.7%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.0% 6.5%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Lower than 98% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
4.2% 8.7%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Lower than 99% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
6.9% 22.2%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Lower than 94% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
1.9 25.1 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Lower than 91% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
1.8% 6.9% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.19% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Higher than 43% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.5 16.7 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Higher than 92% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
14.4 11.4 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Torquay.
Higher than 8% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
5.9% 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Torquay Boys' Grammar School's Ofsted rating?

Torquay Boys' Grammar School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 24 February 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 3 strong, 4 expected, and safeguarding was met.

How did Torquay Boys' Grammar School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 93% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 48 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Torquay Boys' Grammar School?

93% of the 227 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Torquay Boys' Grammar School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Torquay Boys' Grammar School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 215 families put Torquay Boys' Grammar School as their first choice for 166 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 160 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.