ACE Schools Plymouth
Martins Gate, Bretonside, Plymouth, PL4 0ATOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
ACE Schools Plymouth is an alternative provision school in Plymouth for ages 4 to 19. It is one of the 103 schools in Plymouth. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 13 February 2019, report published 14 March 2019
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 22 October 2024
ACE Schools Plymouth provides a calm and nurturing environment. Pupils have arrived from multiple failed placements elsewhere. Parents and carers are highly positive about how staff look beyond their child's special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), accepting them for who they are. Pupils experience success because staff understand their individual needs extremely well and have high expectations of what they can, and do, achieve. Pupils comment how staff 'massively look after us' and 'want to see us get far in life.' As a result, many pupils' attendance improves. The school places high importance on the curriculum, especially the core skills of reading, writing and mathematics. Built into the curriculum is a highly individualised therapeutic approach. Staff have high expectations for pupils' behaviour. Pupils and staff follow the school's approach to behaviour. Pupils behave well in lessons and social situations. When pupils struggle with their emotions, staff take effective and supportive action, enabling pupils to re-engage with their learning. Excellent pastoral support and positive relationships with adults help pupils to feel valued. Pupils have a voice. They comment on how staff listen to them and 'don't jump to conclusions.' Pupils trust adults and know they are there to help and support them.
What the school should improve
- The school has not checked the impact of the curriculum in some subjects across all the provisions. This means they are not sure how well the curriculum is being implemented for all pupils. The trust should ensure that rigorous systems are in place to check the effectiveness of the curriculum and its impact on pupils' learning.
- Most of the local governing committee are new to the school. Therefore, they have not had the time to assure themselves of the impact of the school's work in all areas. The trust needs to continue to develop the role of the governors so they can hold leaders to account and fully develop the strategic oversight of the school's work.
Pupil numbers and mix
236 pupils on roll, with places for 264
Schools near ACE Schools Plymouth
| School | Distance | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Caradon Alternative Provision Academy | 16 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding |
| River Dart Academy | 19 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good |
| North Cornwall Alternative Provision Academy | 27 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| The Lodestar Academy | 27 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| Restormel Academy | 29 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy alternative provision converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- REACH SOUTH ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 4 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Ms Ruth Westwood
- Phone
- 01752396100
- Address
- Martins Gate, Bretonside, Plymouth, PL4 0AT
- Local authority
- Plymouth
- URN
- 142835
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.