Perched on the hills of Torquay, St Cuthbert Mayne School holds a distinctive place in the educational landscape as a Joint Faith school, co-sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth and the Church of England Diocese of Exeter. This dual identity is the school's heartbeat; it is a place where two traditions converge to serve the community. Under the leadership of Headteacher Mr James Down, the school has navigated a significant turnaround, culminating in an Ofsted rating of Good in April 2025. This marks a new chapter for the school, validating the rigorous improvements made in culture, behaviour, and curriculum planning.
The campus on Trumlands Road feels expansive, a mix of functional mid-century blocks and modern additions like the cantilevered glass façade. The atmosphere is purposefully communal, often described by staff and students as the "St Cuthbert Mayne family". The dual faith heritage is visible not just in the chapel at the site's heart but in the daily rhythm of school life.
Mr James Down leads with a vision anchored in the scripture "Educating for life in all its fullness" (John 10:10). His leadership has been pivotal in shifting the school's culture. The "Ready to Learn" policy, introduced to raise behavioural standards, has established a calmer, more focused environment. While the faith character is central, the school welcomes students of all backgrounds, creating a community that is inclusive yet distinctively Christian.
The house system, often named after Christian martyrs, breaks the large cohort of over 1,000 students into smaller, supportive units. This structure fosters a fierce but friendly rivalry in house competitions, which range from sports to debating.
Academic outcomes present a complex picture of a school in transition. While the 2025 inspection confirmed the quality of education is Good, the published results from 2024 reflect the legacy of previous challenges.
In 2024, the school's Progress 8 score was -0.75, placing it in the lower 40% of schools in England This indicates that, on average, students achieved grades lower than peers with similar starting points. The Attainment 8 score of 37.3 was also below the England average of 45.9.
However, headline data often lags behind rapid school improvement. The discrepancy between these historical results and the recent "Good" judgement suggests current students are receiving a stronger education than the raw data implies. The school ranks 3,437th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 5th in Torquay.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
25.49%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is broad and ambitious, resisting the trend to narrow choices early. Students in Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) enjoy a full suite of subjects, including Drama, Music, and Design Technology, aligning with the school’s "life in all its fullness" ethos.
Inspectors in 2025 noted that the curriculum is now well-planned and sequenced, addressing previous inconsistencies. Teachers have strong subject knowledge, and the "Ready to Learn" policy ensures lessons are free from low-level disruption.
Support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is coordinated through "The Hub", a dedicated space for intervention and support. The school employs a graduated response, ensuring students receive help tailored to their specific needs.
Quality of Education
Requires Improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires Improvement
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Pastoral care is the anchor of the St Cuthbert Mayne experience. The Christian ethos translates into a genuine duty of care, with a pastoral team that includes non-teaching Heads of Year to ensure availability throughout the day.
The Chaplaincy is a standout feature, offering "The Sanctuary" as a safe haven at break and lunchtimes for students of all faiths and none. It provides a quiet counterpoint to the busy playground. Safeguarding is robust, with students reporting they feel safe and knowing who to turn to if worries arise.
Extracurricular life is vibrant and driven by staff commitment.
A major pillar of the school. The annual production is a professional-standard event, recently featuring Disney's Frozen, for which the school won exclusive rights.
The "Sports Leaders" programme allows older students to coach primary pupils, while teams compete regularly in South Devon fixtures.
The Ten Tors challenge is a rite of passage, with teams training on Dartmoor through the winter months. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is also popular.
Admission is coordinated by Torbay Council. As a Voluntary Aided school, the governors are the admissions authority.
The school welcomes all but gives priority to children from practising Christian families (Catholic and Anglican), followed by other faiths. Crucially, a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) must be returned to the school by 31 October for those applying under faith criteria.
Despite the faith priority, the school serves the wider neighbourhood comprehensively. In 2024, it was oversubscribed, with 209 applications for places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 1.08.
Applications
209
Total received
Places Offered
194
Subscription Rate
1.1x
Apps per place
Destinations reflect diverse aspirations. In 2024, 50% of Year 13 leavers progressed to university, while 29% moved directly into employment. The Sixth Form prepares students effectively for both academic and vocational pathways, with alumni securing places at universities including Exeter and Plymouth.
The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm. Located in Ellacombe, the site is well-served by local buses, which are the primary mode of transport for many students given the lack of parent parking.
St Cuthbert Mayne offers a unique proposition in Torbay: a "Good" school (Ofsted 2025) anchored in a deep, dual-faith tradition. It is a community that cares profoundly for the whole child, balancing a warm pastoral heart with a newfound academic rigour. Best suited to families who value a faith-based environment and are looking for a school on a firm upward trajectory.
Yes. In April 2025, Ofsted rated the school Good in all areas. Inspectors highlighted the improved curriculum, better behaviour, and strong leadership as key factors in the school’s transformation.
No. While the school gives priority to children from Christian families, it welcomes applications from other faiths and those of no faith. It serves the entire local community.
This is a state-funded Voluntary Aided school with no tuition fees.
Applications for Year 7 are made through Torbay Council. If you are applying under faith criteria, you must also complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) and return it directly to the school by 31 October.
This is the school’s behaviour policy, designed to ensure disruption-free learning. It sets clear, high expectations for conduct and uniform, which has led to a calmer school environment.
Get in touch with the school directly
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