Ivybridge Community College Review 2026: Devon's Largest Secondary with Remarkable Progress

The college bells mark passing periods at Ivybridge, where 2,400 students across the South Hams region pursue education on the southern slopes of Dartmoor. Under the leadership of Rachel Hutchinson, a former Team GB gymnast who took the helm in 2016, the school has transformed into a high-performing comprehensive that consistently ranks above the England average. The recent 2025 Ofsted inspection found evidence of significant improvement across all areas, with inspectors particularly struck by the quality of teaching, student behaviour, and the breadth of opportunities on offer. The college sits in the top 25% of schools in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), and its A-level performance places it comfortably in line with national norms. Perhaps most tellingly, the school retained Outstanding status in five consecutive Ofsted inspections before the framework changed in 2024, making it one of only a handful of schools in the UK to have achieved this record.

Step through the gates at drop-off and you encounter a school buzzing with purposeful energy. Pupils move between lessons with visible focus; behaviour is calm and consistent. The sprawling campus, one of the largest in Devon with capacity for 2,500, somehow avoids feeling impersonal. This is partly because staff deliberately foster what they call the PACE culture, setting high standards while ensuring every student knows they matter.

Rachel Hutchinson has led a quiet revolution since her appointment. Her background as a competitive gymnast brings an athleticism to her vision that extends far beyond the sports hall. In interviews and public statements, she emphasises that academic excellence and wellbeing are inseparable, and this philosophy appears embedded throughout the college. Teachers speak overwhelmingly positively about workload management and support, according to the 2025 inspection. Governance is described as "very strong," with the board of trustees holding the school to account whilst providing genuine support.

The physical environment reflects investment. The college occupies a single site, meaning students are not scattered across multiple buildings, they share facilities and bump into each other constantly. A Learning Resource Centre with computers and books anchors intellectual life. Sensory rooms and lifts ensure accessibility for pupils with complex needs. The college caters explicitly for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, with 14% registered on the SEN register and dedicated support staff.

GCSE Performance

The 2024 GCSE outcomes mark the college's best ever results. An Attainment 8 score of 54.7 sits well above the England average of 45.9, indicating substantially stronger achievement across the curriculum. Progress 8, measuring how much students improve from their starting points at age 11, stands at +0.35, above the England average and demonstrating that the college's teaching lifts achievement at all prior attainment levels, not just the highest.

The college ranks 1101st for GCSE results, placing it in the top 25% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking) and 1st locally among secondary schools in the Ivybridge area. Breaking this down further: 21% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects (English, maths, sciences, languages, history/geography), markedly above the England figure of around 16%. The college's Ebacc average point score of 4.75 exceeds the England average of 4.08.

A-Level Performance

Sixth form results in 2024 were equally strong, again the best on record. At A-level, 54% of grades were A*-B, compared to the England average of 47%. This means the college is producing A-level entry grades that position students well for Russell Group universities and beyond. The college ranks 979th in England for A-level outcomes, placing it comfortably within the middle tier of schools, matching national norms. Despite being a non-selective comprehensive, the college has successfully created a sixth form atmosphere where academic aspiration is normalised.

The college offers 30+ A-level subjects across two academic years, allowing genuine breadth of choice. A-level take-up in facilitating subjects (sciences, mathematics, languages, humanities) is strong, suggesting the teaching of these areas at GCSE builds sufficient confidence for students to progress.

The curriculum at Ivybridge balances breadth with structure. French and Spanish are both taught at Key Stage 3, with some pupils taking a second language. Science is allocated six hours per week in Years 7-9 compared to three hours each for English and maths, reflecting a deliberate emphasis on scientific reasoning. This generous time allocation shows in outcomes: pupils develop solid scientific literacy and many progress to biology, chemistry, and physics at GCSE.

Teachers demonstrate expertise. The 2025 inspection noted that pupils value "the breadth of subjects they can study and the exceptional support they receive to achieve well." In mathematics and geography specifically, pupils achieve above national averages, with curriculum design cited as a particular strength. Subject departments have access to good resources and facilities, the Drama Department, for instance, operates a purpose-built studio with full LED lighting rigs and a Performance Hall with a proscenium arch stage.

Learning is structured with high expectations. Teachers have impressed pupils' "high levels of self-confidence" and "excellent attitudes to learning" through careful scaffolding of tasks and use of assessment to set demanding targets. The college's PACE framework, Pride, Attitude, Conduct, Excellence, is woven throughout both classroom and extracurricular life, creating consistency in how expectations are conveyed.

Sixth Form Entry & Progression

Approximately 43% of leavers at 16 progress to university, with 2% entering further education and 6% starting apprenticeships. This diversity reflects the college's commitment to multiple pathways, not all students are university-bound, and the college acknowledges and supports that reality. For those pursuing sixth form within the college, progression from Year 11 to Year 12 is not automatic; students must meet entry criteria, typically including five GCSEs at grades 4-5 (standard pass) and grades 5-7 (higher) in A-level subject choices.

University Destinations

In the 2024 leavers cohort, a small number of students (7) applied to Oxbridge, reflecting the college's comprehensive intake and realistic approach to these ultra-selective universities. The college has focused instead on building strong pathways to a diverse range of universities, with sixth form students receiving "highly effective guidance regarding their next steps" according to inspectors. Popular destinations include universities across the UK, with the sixth form benefiting from Cambridge visit sessions where university admissions staff speak directly to Year 12 and 13 pupils about application processes.

The college actively recruits sixth formers from partner primary schools and beyond, creating a sixth form cohort of around 300-350 students. This size allows the college to maintain the community feel of earlier years whilst offering specialist teaching. Senior students gain leadership experience through formal roles, the college deliberately creates opportunities for Year 12 and 13 students to voice views on school improvement and shape college direction. Volunteering and work experience are embedded, with many sixth formers undertaking placements during Year 12, developing real-world understanding of potential career fields.

Extracurricular life at Ivybridge is genuinely expansive, spanning sport, performing arts, and STEM activities. The college operates on the principle that all students should find something, whether they are elite athletes or those coming to activities for the first time.

Sports: The Central Pillar

The college boasts four dedicated Sports Academies: Football, Rugby, Gymnastics, and Netball, each with a specialist head of department and professional coaches. These operate at two tiers, Development Squads open to all interested students, and Elite Squads for high-performing athletes. Facilities are exceptional: a 200-metre running track with adjacent synthetic long jump area, four tennis courts, 3G synthetic pitch, four basketball courts, two large sports halls, and a dedicated fitness suite. A Tennis Academy runs in partnership with the local tennis centre, extending reach beyond campus.

Sports achievements extend beyond local competition. The college has represented England at the Sanix World Rugby Youth Invitational Tournament. Individual student athletes have been selected for England squads, including representatives at Under 16, Under 18, and elite levels in rugby, netball, and badminton. Recent years have seen success in rugby 7s tournaments, netball league fixtures, swimming at regional galas, fencing (with students qualifying for national championships), and acrobatics. The rugby programme, now expanded to include Senior Rugby for Years 11-13, trains at professional intensity whilst maintaining academic focus.

Performing Arts: Drama and Music

The Drama Department runs two company-based schemes, Limelight for Years 7-9 and Spotlight for Years 10-13, providing ensemble experience and ensemble creativity for younger and older students respectively. The Musical Theatre Group (MTG) operates audition-based productions, with recent shows including Aladdin and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. These are not small-scale affairs; the 2015 Oliver! production involved over 200 performers, including primary school partners, and the college regularly stages musicals at significant scale in its Performance Hall.

The Music Department supports a large programme of ensembles and events: a chapel choir, symphony orchestra, and smaller chamber groups perform throughout the year. The college runs RSL Winter Concerts and stages a Battle of the Bands event featuring student-led bands. A Primary Musical Theatre Academy extends opportunities to younger students, with productions now a biennial fixture in the college calendar.

Drama Studio (C308) features full LED lighting rigs and sound equipment; the Performance Hall offers extensive rigging, large projector facilities, and tiered seating. Two dedicated dance studios function as both classrooms and rehearsal spaces. The department provides LAMDA qualifications (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art), offering students formal credentials in drama alongside GCSEs and A-levels. Numerous former students have progressed to leading drama schools including Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, and East 15.

STEM and Technology

The college has invested in robotics and engineering through programmes like EKO Robotics Challenge, where Year 9 students constructed and programmed their own robots to solve real-world problems. Computer science provision is strong, with coding central to both GCSE and A-level computer science curricula. The college timetable includes dedicated STEM enrichment opportunities, and sixth form students are encouraged to explore specialisms through project work.

Broader Clubs and Leadership

Beyond the major pillars, the college sponsors numerous clubs operating across lunchtime and after-school slots. The college sitemap references extra-curricular timetables and enrichment pages, and staff-led clubs span academic, creative, and recreational interests, from gymnastics and football to debating to photography. The college website emphasises that approximately 90% of parents feel their child can take part in clubs and activities, and this is reflected in visible participation across year groups.

NHS Mental Health Champions

A notable initiative: 13 Year 12 students successfully completed NHS Mental Health Service training, becoming mental health champions within the college. This suggests deliberate investment in student voice and wellbeing support beyond traditional pastoral structures.

Ivybridge Community College is a rare secondary school in the town of Ivybridge itself, making it a local anchor institution. Admissions at Year 7 are non-selective. The college draws from 14 contributory primary schools spread across the South Hams, a catchment area spanning roughly 100 square miles. The school is typically oversubscribed at reception, with approximately 1.47 applications per place in recent years (494 applications for 336 places), meaning distance from the school and sibling priority become significant factors.

Entry into the sixth form is more selective: students typically require five GCSEs at grades 4-5, with higher grades (5-7) required in subjects they intend to study at A-level. The college is transparent about these criteria on its website.

Student safety and wellbeing are treated as non-negotiable. The 2025 inspection found "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective." Inspection language noted that "relationships between pupils and staff are warm and nurturing," creating an environment where students feel comfortable raising concerns.

The college offers formal counselling support (delivered by trained counsellors with regular access) and peer support structures. Students with special educational needs and disabilities receive "bespoke support to enable them to achieve well," though the 2025 inspection also flagged that provision for some SEND students remains variable, an area leaders are actively revising.

The college maintains a calm, orderly environment without resorting to rigid authoritarianism. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the college, resulting in what inspectors described as a "calm, harmonious learning environment." Behaviour policies are explicit and fairly applied. The wearing of blazers and formal uniform supports a sense of community and shared identity.

The college day runs from approximately 8:50am to 3:20pm (verify exact times on the school website). School meals are provided through the college canteen, with options for packed lunches. Transport is coordinated through Devon County Council for many students from the wider South Hams; the college sits on Harford Road and is accessible via local bus routes. Parking is available for staff and some visitors.

Music lessons, specialist coaching in sports academies, and school trips carry additional costs. The college website details specific charges for each offering. As a state school, there are no tuition fees.

Distance and catchment. With one application to every 0.68 places (1.47:1 ratio), families living outside Ivybridge itself cannot assume entry. The primary schools from which the college draws (14 partner schools) include those in neighbouring villages such as Modbury, Cornwood, and others within the South Hams. Families should check their distance from Harford Road and discuss catchment implications with the college admissions office before assuming a place.

Selective sixth form. The college does not guarantee progression from Year 11 to sixth form. Students not meeting the five-GCSE threshold, or those with weak grades in intended A-level subjects, may not secure a place. This is stated clearly on the college website and families should plan accordingly.

Sports and music require commitment. The Elite Squads in football, rugby, gymnastics, and netball extract students from some PE lessons and require discipline, practice, and tournament attendance. Similarly, the Musical Theatre Group demands significant time. These are genuinely high-level programmes, not casual clubs. Students should be realistic about balancing elite-level extracurricular commitments with academic coursework, particularly in Years 10-11 and 12-13.

SEND provision is improving. The 2025 inspection noted that provision for some pupils with SEND is "too variable." The college acknowledges this and is revising approaches. Families with children with identified SEN should discuss specific provision and support structures directly with the SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator) before admission.

Ivybridge Community College is a school firing on multiple cylinders. It combines strong academic outcomes, ranking in the top 25% in England for GCSE, with consistent A-level results, with genuine breadth of opportunity in sport, performing arts, and community engagement. The college's scale (2,400 students) should theoretically feel impersonal, but Hutchinson's leadership has cultivated a culture where high expectations and individual care coexist. The 2025 Ofsted finding of significant improvement across all areas suggests the college is on an upward trajectory.

The school is best suited to families living within the South Hams catchment, or those lucky enough to secure places through sibling priority or genuine distance from the gates. Families seeking a comprehensive education with exceptional sports facilities, active performing arts culture, and good academic outcomes will find much to value here. The main limiting factor is oversubscription, this is a sought-after school, and entry is not guaranteed by proximity alone. Those seeking entry should verify current distance criteria with the college and plan accordingly.