Buckland Brewer Primary School
Buckland Brewer, Bideford, EX39 5LXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Buckland Brewer Primary School is a primary school in Bideford for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 416 schools in Devon. It ranks 12th of 12 primary schools in Bideford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Requires improvement, from an inspection in March 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 5 March 2024, report published 25 April 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Requires improvement
- Quality of education
- Requires improvement
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Requires improvement
- Early years provision
- Requires improvement
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 5 March 2024
The school is ambitious for all pupils to succeed. Since the previous inspection, the school has made changes to the curriculum to promote high expectations for all pupils. These actions are making a difference. However, it is still early days. The curriculum does not yet support pupils to build their knowledge well enough. Pupils enjoy coming to Buckland Brewer Primary School. This is reflected in their high attendance. Staff create a positive learning environment where successes are celebrated. Pupils are respectful and treat others equally. Pupils feel safe. They know that adults will always help them if they have any worries. Pupils' personal development is a strength. Trips enrich the curriculum. For example, pupils learn about the industrial revolution through their trip to Morwellham Quay. There are a variety of clubs that pupils are involved in. Interschool sport competitions across the federation, such as football, are enjoyed by pupils. Pupils value their leadership roles. For example, 'family captains' are elected to lead the 'stingray, tiger shark and seahorse' families. All pupils take part in an annual production to help build confidence.
What the school should improve
- Some staff do not have the subject knowledge they need to deliver the new curriculum effectively. As a result, some pupils do not build their knowledge well. The school must ensure that all staff develop their subject knowledge and expertise to deliver the new curriculum effectively across all subjects.
- Some pupils with SEND do not have their needs met well enough. This is because the school has not identified with enough precision the support required. This prevents some pupils from building their knowledge securely over time. The school must ensure that precise support for pupils with SEND is identified and put in place so these pupils can learn the curriculum well.
- Some identified weaknesses in the teaching of the curriculum are not addressed quickly enough. This is because the school does not check the implementation of the curriculum with enough precision. As a result, some pupils have unaddressed gaps in their knowledge. The school needs to ensure that improvements are accurately identified and followed up with rigour to enable all pupils to learn the curriculum well.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
6 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
49 pupils on roll, with places for 49
Schools near Buckland Brewer Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkham Primary School | 2 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 50% met the expected standard |
| Monkleigh Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 80% met the expected standard |
| Langtree Community School and Nursery Unit | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
| St Helen's Church of England School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 57% met the expected standard |
| West Croft School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 38% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Foundation school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Trust
- Atlantic Coast Co-Operative Trust
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Matt Cole
- Phone
- 01237451315
- Address
- Buckland Brewer, Bideford, EX39 5LX
- Local authority
- Devon
- URN
- 113141
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.