Brayford Academy
Brayford, Barnstaple, EX32 7QJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Brayford Academy is a primary school in Barnstaple for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 416 schools in Devon. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 4 May 2023, report published 2 July 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 4 May 2023
Brayford Academy is a small, supportive school. Leaders have created a nurturing ethos and parents say the school is like a big family. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils. Staff have high expectations of pupils' behaviour, and pupils meet these expectations. Bullying is extremely rare, but pupils are confident that if it does happen, leaders will deal with it quickly. In the pre- school unit, children play well together and enjoy learning. Pupils enjoy a wide range of extracurricular clubs, including archery and choir. Pupils take part in many trips, for example in visiting London and Exmoor. Pupils take on responsibilities with pride, including being a reading buddy for a younger pupil and helping with clubs at lunchtime. There are strong relationships between pupils and staff. Pupils are well cared for and they feel happy and safe. As a result, they enjoy coming to school.
What the school should improve
- Assessment is not used well enough in some areas to check that all pupils have remembered the knowledge that they have been taught. As result, some pupils do not build their knowledge well over time. Leaders need to ensure that all staff use assessment effectively across all subjects to inform future learning.
Pupil numbers and mix
32 pupils on roll, with places for 49
Schools near Brayford Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bratton Fleming Community Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 33% met the expected standard |
| North Molton Primary School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 65% met the expected standard |
| Filleigh Community Primary School | 5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 20% met the expected standard |
| Swimbridge Church of England Primary School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 69% met the expected standard |
| South Molton Community Primary School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- TEAM MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Daniel Polak
- Phone
- 01598710345
- Address
- Brayford, Barnstaple, EX32 7QJ
- Local authority
- Devon
- URN
- 141761
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.