Cambian Devon School
Intek House, 52 Borough Road, Paignton, TQ4 7DQOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Cambian Devon School is a special school in Paignton for ages 7 to 18. It is one of the 416 schools in Devon. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 8 May 2024, report published 10 June 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 8 May 2024
Although many pupils have missed a lot of schooling by the time they arrive at Cambian Devon School, they adapt quickly and thrive. Most pupils have social, emotional and mental health difficulties but they learn to manage their behaviour well. The school prioritises the learning and pastoral needs of each pupil. Through the curriculum, pupils learn to form strong relationships with staff and each other. The carefully balanced combination of educational and therapeutic support enables pupils to develop empathy, respect and kindness. Consequently, pupils learn in a calm environment. Pupils relish the opportunities to learn bushcraft skills. They learn to grow and cook their own food both in the kitchen and in the wild using campfires. They develop strong navigational skills through hiking along the coast path. Pupils learn to value the natural world. Through the very well-designed curriculum, pupils' personal development is impressive. Pupils learn about the importance of democracy, inclusion and free speech. They have bespoke opportunities to develop their knowledge of the world through volunteering. For example, pupils volunteer on the steam railway and in charity shops. Pupils are exceptionally well prepared to be citizens in modern Britain.
What the school should improve
- In a few areas, the assessment of pupils' knowledge is not as precise as in other areas. Consequently, staff do not have the most accurate information with which to adapt their teaching of some areas of the curriculum. As a result, pupils do not build their knowledge as well. The school should ensure that the assessment of pupils' knowledge is precise in all areas of the curriculum so that pupils can learn well in all areas.
- The teaching of writing is not as well structured as the teaching of reading. Consequently, some pupils struggle with many aspects of writing. The school should ensure a more coherent approach to the teaching of writing so that pupils are supported to write with confidence and fluency.
Pupil numbers and mix
25 pupils on roll, with places for 30
Schools near Cambian Devon School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preston Bridge School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 4.3 |
| Brunel School | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 1.5 |
| On Track Education Totnes | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 2.8 |
| Redwood River School | 5 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Combe Pafford School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 5.6 |
School details
- School type
- Other independent special school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 7 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Abigail Salisbury
- Phone
- 01803524537
- Address
- Intek House, 52 Borough Road, Paignton, TQ4 7DQ
- Local authority
- Devon
- URN
- 135803
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.