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OpenSecondaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 113526

The Spires College

Foundation school · Torquay · TQ1 3PE

Ages 11–18 · 1,154 pupils · Torbay

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Attainment 8

43.6

Overall absence

9.4%

Admissions demand

1.14 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-01-12

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.15
−20+2
Attainment 843.6
English & maths grade 5+40%
English & maths grade 4+57%
EBacc entry28%

EBacc APS: 3.7

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence9.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)30.8%
Unauthorised3.1%
Authorised absence
6.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
4.4%
Enrolments in measure
1,094

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.14 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

223

Places offered

195

1st-preference offers

161

Total preferences (any rank)
561
Preferred offers (top 3)
195
Applications from outside LA
53
Offers to outside-LA applicants
11
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill88%

1,154 pupils · 1,304 places

Pupils on roll
1,154
Boys / girls
583 / 571
School capacity
1,304
Capacity fill
1,154 / 1,304 (88%)
Free school meals
31.8%
FSM pupils
332
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Foundation school

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: Westlands School Trust
Academy trust
Westlands School Trust
Headteacher
Ms Alex Newton

Location

Address
Westlands Lane
Postcode
TQ1 3PE
Town
Torquay
County
Devon
Local authority
Torbay
District
Torbay
Constituency
Torbay
Urban/rural
Urban: Further from a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Special classes
Has Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
11 on roll / 16 capacity

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed foundation school (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Torquay, Torbay, 1,154 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, special school, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 31.8%. SEN provision includes: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Open schools in Torquay
28
Secondary schools in Torquay
5
Academies among open schools in Torquay
68% (19)
Open schools in TQ1
14
Secondary in TQ1
2
Open schools in Torbay LA
47
Secondary in Torbay LA
8

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in TorquayNear TQ1

  • St Cuthbert Mayne School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Voluntary aided school · Secondary

    Torquay · TQ1 4RN · Torbay

    Ages 11–18

    • Att837.3
    • P8-0.8
    • EM5+21%
    • Absence15.8%

    0.7 miles away

  • Torquay Academy

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Torquay · TQ2 7NU · Torbay

    Ages 11–18

    • Att844.6
    • P80.0
    • EM5+47%
    • Absence10.5%

    0.9 miles away

  • Torquay Girls' Grammar School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Torquay · TQ2 7DY · Torbay

    Ages 11–18

    • Att868.9
    • P80.4
    • EM5+90%
    • Absence6.9%

    1.3 miles away

  • Torquay Boys' Grammar School

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Torquay · TQ2 7EL · Torbay

    Ages 11–18

    • Att866.9
    • P80.3
    • EM5+89%
    • Absence6.0%

    1.5 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Ms Alex Newton
Telephone
01803400660
Website
http://thespirescollege.com

Official links