Thurlestone All Saints Church of England Academy

Perched near the dramatic Devon coastline in the village of Thurlestone, this academy offers an educational experience that is as high-performing as its setting is picturesque. Serving the Kingsbridge area, Thurlestone All Saints Church of England Academy is a small, vibrant primary school that consistently punches above its weight. The school is part of the Learning Academy Partnership, a multi-academy trust known for its collaborative approach to excellence.

With a capacity of just 133 pupils, the school maintains a close-knit atmosphere where every child is a known individual rather than a statistic. Current outcomes remain strong, with the school ranked 913th of 14,978 primary schools academically and 2,159th overall in England. This combination of a nurturing, faith-based environment and strong academic performance makes it one of the more notable state primaries in the South Hams.

The atmosphere at Thurlestone All Saints is defined by its Christian character and its unique geographical context. The school serves a mix of village families and those from the surrounding rural coastal area, creating a community that feels grounded and inclusive. As a Church of England academy, the school's ethos is built on a foundation of Christian values, which are integrated into daily life through collective worship and a focus on social responsibility.

Mrs Hannah Ruston serves as the Headteacher, leading a team that prioritises both academic ambition and the personal development of every pupil. She took over the role in January 2024, continuing the school's trajectory of excellence after it joined the Learning Academy Partnership in 2017. This trust membership has provided staff with extensive professional development opportunities and shared resources with other high-performing schools in the region.

The physical environment is clean, bright, and reflective of its seaside location. Classrooms are well-ordered, and the outdoor spaces are utilised effectively for both play and learning. There is a palpable sense of calm in the corridors, with pupils moving between activities with a level of independence and courtesy that speaks to the school's high expectations for behaviour.

The academic performance at Thurlestone All Saints remains strong. In the current KS2 data, 90% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined. The depth of learning is also positive, with 30% reaching the higher standard in all three subjects.

According to FindMySchool rankings based on official data, the school is ranked 2nd in Kingsbridge for overall primary outcomes and 913th of 14,978 primary schools academically in England. This keeps the academy in a strong national band, though not the top-3% position described in the previous dataset.

Subject-specific scores further reinforce this positive picture. In reading, 100% of pupils met the expected standard, with an average scaled score of 110. In mathematics, 90% met the expected standard, with a scaled score of 106. Writing was 90%, grammar, punctuation and spelling was 70%, and science was 100%, showing a strong profile with the clearest signal in reading.

Teaching at Thurlestone All Saints is characterised by high levels of subject expertise and a curriculum designed to engage and challenge. The school follows the National Curriculum but enriches it with local context, making use of the Devon landscape to bring subjects like geography and science to life.

The latest ungraded inspection in February 2025 confirmed that the school continues to provide a high quality of education. Inspectors found that pupils behave in an exemplary manner and that teachers have very high expectations of what children can achieve. The school is a calm, harmonious place where pupils demonstrate excellent manners and a genuine love for learning.

The small school size allows for highly personalised instruction. Teachers are able to track the progress of each pupil with precision, intervening early if a child struggles and providing extension materials for those who are ready to move faster. As a member of the Learning Academy Partnership, the school benefits from a subject lead model, where specialist teachers across the trust collaborate to refine the curriculum.

Nursery Provision

The school includes nursery provision for children from the age of two, which is fully integrated into the life of the academy. This early start allows children to become familiar with the school's environment, staff, and routines long before they enter Reception.

The nursery focus is on developing communication, social skills, and physical coordination through a mix of structured play and teacher-led activities. Practitioners work closely with the Reception teacher to ensure a seamless transition into the primary phase. For current nursery fee details and availability, parents should visit the school website. Government-funded hours are available for eligible families; parents can refer to the FindMySchool guide to nursery funding for further information.

Most pupils from Thurlestone All Saints transition to Kingsbridge Community College (KCC), which is the main secondary provider for the area. The school maintains strong links with KCC to ensure that the move at age 11 is as smooth as possible. Transition activities typically include visit days, joint projects, and the sharing of academic data to ensure Year 7 teachers can hit the ground running.

The strong foundation provided at Thurlestone means that pupils are generally well-prepared for the rigours of secondary education. A significant proportion of leavers enter secondary school having already achieved greater depth in core subjects, putting them in an excellent position to access top-set classes and accelerated pathways.

Securing a place at Thurlestone All Saints is becoming increasingly competitive due to its reputation for excellence. In 2024, the school was oversubscribed, receiving 23 applications for only 15 available places in the Reception intake. This resulted in 1.53 applications per place, meaning there were roughly one and a half applications for every seat.

For Reception entry in September 2027 in Devon, applications close on 15 January 2027, with offers issued on 16 April 2027. Admissions are coordinated by Devon County Council, with national offer day on 16 April 2027. While the school serves the local village, its high rankings often attract interest from families further afield. Parents are encouraged to attend open events to understand the school's ethos and to use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their proximity to the school gate.

As a Church of England school, pastoral care is woven into the very fabric of the academy. The school's "Small School, Big Family" feel is not just a slogan; it is a reality of the daily experience. Staff are highly attentive to the emotional wellbeing of pupils, and the small cohort sizes mean that changes in a child's mood or behaviour are spotted quickly.

The school promotes a culture of kindness and respect, which is reflected in the excellent behaviour noted by external observers. Older pupils are encouraged to take on leadership roles and act as buddies for younger children, encouraging a sense of responsibility and community. Support for pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is managed carefully, with tailored plans and targeted interventions to ensure every child can access the full curriculum.

Despite its small size, the school offers a varied range of extracurricular activities. The extracurricular programme includes specific clubs such as Choir, which meets weekly on Tuesdays, and various multi-sports sessions provided after school. Peripatetic music lessons are also available for guitar, piano, and violin, with parents arranging these directly with visiting teachers.

The school's location is a significant asset for outdoor learning. Pupils frequently engage in Forest School or Beach School sessions, taking advantage of the nearby coastline to learn about the environment and develop teamwork skills. These sessions are a highlight for many pupils and contribute significantly to their physical and mental wellbeing.

The school day typically begins at 8:50am and ends at 3:15pm. Given the rural location, many pupils arrive by car, and parking in the immediate vicinity of the school can be limited during peak drop-off and pick-up times. Families are encouraged to walk or car-share where possible.

Wraparound care is an important consideration for working parents. Thurlestone All Saints offers both a breakfast club and an after-school club, providing care from approximately 7:45am until 5:30pm. These sessions include a snack and a range of supervised activities. Parents should contact the school office for the most current schedule and booking procedures.

• Oversubscription: With 1.53 applications per place in 2024, the school is popular and frequently full. Families moving into the area should contact the school early to check for mid-year vacancies, as Reception entry is often settled well in advance.
• Small Cohort Dynamics: While small classes offer personalised attention, they also mean that social circles are smaller. Most pupils find this creates a strong sense of belonging, but those coming from larger urban settings may find the transition to a village environment takes some adjustment.
• Rural Accessibility: Transport is largely dependent on private vehicles. While the setting is beautiful, families must consider the practicalities of rural Devon lanes during the winter months for the daily school run.

Thurlestone All Saints Church of England Academy is an outstanding example of how a small village school can achieve world-class results. It offers a rare combination: a gentle, faith-based environment that nonetheless pushes its pupils to perform at the very top of the England average. It is best suited to families in the South Hams who want a nurturing, community-focused education for their children without compromising on academic rigour. The main challenge for parents is simply securing one of the few available places.