Combe Pafford School
Steps Lane, Watcombe, Torquay, TQ2 8NLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Combe Pafford School is a special school in Torquay for ages 8 to 19. It is one of the 45 schools in Torbay. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2015.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 20 January 2015, report published 11 February 2015
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Outstanding
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 16 April 2024
Pupils excel at this ambitious, harmonious and happy school. Staff secure positive relationships very effectively. This helps pupils to feel valued, safe and ready to learn. Pupils experience purposeful lessons and many wider opportunities. For example, the school offers an array of residential visits, many of which are abroad, as well as work experience and visitors that link to pupils' learning and pathways into adulthood. All pupils have a special educational need and/or disability (SEND). The school's curriculum is designed to allow pupils to be as well prepared for the world of work as possible. The school ensures that barriers to learning are understood. Pupils benefit from tailored provision linked to their needs and aspirations. As a result, pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education, employment or training. Many go on to secure meaningful and sustained employment. The whole community has high expectations of pupils. Pupils behave very well in lessons and most of the time in and around the school. Staff utilise their honed expertise to get to know pupils extremely well. This helps to ensure they can support pupils effectively when they find things tricky or challenging. Staff and pupils get on well together. Pupils, like parents and carers, say that bullying is not a problem.
What the school should improve
- The implementation of the curriculum varies. This means that pupils' learning is sometimes less secure. The school should look to strengthen the consistency of the implementation of the curriculum so that pupils learn equally well across all subjects.
- Provision in the lower school is not as ambitious and coherent as in the upper school and sixth form. This means pupils are not as well prepared for the curriculum and the pathways to employment as they could be. The school should raise expectations within this part of the school so that pupils secure the foundational knowledge to do even better as they progress further through the school.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
17 pupils took the tests
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
39 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
239 pupils on roll, with places for 244
Schools near Combe Pafford School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayfield School | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Glendinning Academy | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 16.8 |
| Brunel School | 4 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 1.5 |
| Preston Bridge School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 4.3 |
| Fieldstone School | 5 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 3.3 |
School details
- School type
- Academy special converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- COMBE PAFFORD SCHOOL
- Age range
- 8 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Sally Banfield
- Phone
- 01803327902
- Address
- Steps Lane, Watcombe, Torquay, TQ2 8NL
- Local authority
- Torbay
- URN
- 139540
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.