Great Torrington School Review 2026: A Purposeful Community Secondary with Strong Local Standing

Serving the historic market town and surrounding North Devon villages, Great Torrington School (GTS) operates as a foundation school with a clear sense of local identity. It provides a co-educational secondary experience for approximately 900 students aged 11 to 16. In an area where the next nearest secondary options often involve significant travel, GTS serves as a vital educational hub. The school currently holds a Good rating from Ofsted, with a 2024 performance profile that places it at the top of the local rankings for Torrington. While it sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), its solid attainment and community-focused leadership make it a steady choice for Devon families seeking a mainstream environment without the anonymity of a larger urban academy.

The school occupies an elevated site on Calvesford Road, overlooking the rolling Devon countryside. The atmosphere is frequently described as purposeful and welcoming, avoiding the overly corporate feel sometimes found in large multi-academy trusts. Instead, GTS maintains a community-centric ethos where staff and students appear to value mutual respect and personal responsibility.

Mr Andy Bloodworth has served as the Headteacher since January 2019, having previously served as the school's Deputy Head. This internal progression has provided a high degree of stability for the staff and student body. Under his direction, the school has focused on a relationship-based approach to learning, where the development of character is seen as equally important as academic success. This is reflected in the school's commitment to the GTS Way, a set of principles that guide student behaviour and interactions.

The physical environment is a mixture of established 20th century buildings and more modern additions. Recent investments have improved the specialized facilities, ensuring that the rural setting does not limit the technical or creative opportunities available to students. During transition, the school works closely with local primary schools to ensure that the move to secondary feels like a natural step rather than an intimidating leap.

The 2024 GCSE results tell a story of consistent, solid performance. The school achieved an Average Attainment 8 score of 44.6, which reflects a stable academic standard. While the Progress 8 score of -0.1 indicates that students make progress slightly below the England average from their primary starting points, the school remains the highest-ranked secondary in the immediate Torrington area.

Great Torrington School ranks 1,859th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and holds the 1st position in the local Torrington area. This performance sits within the national typical band, representing a reliable educational standard that meets the needs of a broad ability intake. Approximately 21.8% of students achieved Grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), reflecting a commitment to a balanced academic core including languages and humanities.

The curriculum at GTS is designed to be broad and inclusive, ensuring students have access to both traditional academic subjects and creative or vocational pathways. In the lower years (Key Stage 3), students follow a diverse programme that includes specialist teaching in the arts and technology from the outset.

Teachers at the school are noted for their subject enthusiasm and their ability to tailor lessons to different learning styles. The school makes effective use of digital technology to support learning, but the core of the GTS approach remains high-quality classroom interaction. Science and mathematics are delivered with a focus on practical application, while the English department encourages a genuine engagement with literature.

For students with additional needs, the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) leads a team that provides targeted support within the classroom. This ensures that the curriculum remains accessible to all, with interventions designed to build confidence alongside academic skills.

Pastoral care is a significant pillar of the GTS experience. The school uses a vertical tutoring system or house-based structure that allows students of different ages to interact, fostering a sense of mentorship and belonging. This system ensures that every student is known well by at least one member of staff who oversees their academic and emotional development over the full five years.

The school has been proactive in addressing mental health and wellbeing, providing access to trained staff and external support services when needed. Safeguarding is treated with the highest priority, and the culture of the school encourages students to speak up if they have concerns. Behaviour is generally well-managed, with a focus on restorative justice and helping students understand the impact of their actions on others.

The extracurricular life at GTS is surprisingly varied for a school of its size. Sport is a major draw, with students competing in local and regional fixtures in rugby, netball, and athletics. The school’s facilities support a wide range of physical activities, and participation rates are high.

In the creative arts, the school is known for its musical and dramatic productions. The GTS Music Department offers various ensembles and peripatetic lessons, while the annual school production is a highlight of the local calendar, involving students in performance, technical support, and set design.

STEM activities are also well-represented. The school has participated in challenges such as the Faraday Challenge and various robotics competitions, encouraging students to apply their scientific and mathematical knowledge to real-world problems. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a popular choice for students in the upper years, taking advantage of the school's proximity to Dartmoor and Exmoor for expeditions.

Great Torrington School is a foundation school, and admissions are coordinated by Devon County Council. The school has a capacity of 900 students and has recently experienced high demand. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school was oversubscribed, with 225 applications for 170 available places.

Proximity to the school is a key factor in the allocation of places, particularly for families living within the designated transport area. Parents interested in securing a place should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their distance from the school gates relative to local trends. As the school serves a large rural area, transport links are well-established, with many students arriving via dedicated school bus routes.

Fees & Financial Aid

Great Torrington School is a state-funded academy, which means there are no tuition fees for students to attend. As a result, the school does not offer bursaries or scholarships in the traditional sense of an independent school.

Families eligible for support can apply for Free School Meals, which also unlocks Pupil Premium funding for the school to support the student's learning and enrichment. The school provides assistance with costs for certain educational visits and activities for eligible families to ensure that all students can participate in the full breadth of the GTS experience.

The school day typically runs from 8:45 am to 3:15 pm. For students arriving from outlying villages, transport is often the primary logistical consideration; Devon County Council provides information on eligibility for free school transport based on distance and the designated catchment area.

While GTS does not have an on-site sixth form, it maintains strong links with local post-16 providers, including Petroc in Barnstaple and Bideford College. Transition planning for Year 11 students begins early, with dedicated careers advice and guidance to help students navigate their next steps into further education or apprenticeships.

• No On-site Sixth Form: Students must leave GTS at age 16 to pursue A-levels or vocational qualifications. This requires a second transition at a pivotal age, though the school provides robust support for this move.
• Rural Transport: For families living outside Great Torrington itself, reliance on school buses is almost universal. This can limit participation in some after-school activities if private transport is not available.
• Oversubscribed Entry: With 1.32 applications for every available place, GTS is becoming increasingly popular. Families living on the fringes of the traditional catchment area should have a clear secondary backup plan.
• Consistent but Typical Results: While the school is the strongest in Torrington, its progress scores are currently in line with national averages. Families seeking an "exam factory" environment may find the pace more measured here than at some urban selective schools.

Great Torrington School is a reliable and warm community secondary that successfully balances academic expectations with a strong pastoral heart. It is a school that understands its local context and works hard to provide North Devon students with a broad, inclusive education. Best suited to families who value a stable, community-focused environment where their child will be a known individual rather than just a statistic. The main challenge for prospective parents is navigating the oversubscribed entry process to secure a place.