Instow Community Primary and Pre-School
Rectory Lane, Instow, Bideford, EX39 4LUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Instow Community Primary and Pre-School is a primary school in Bideford for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 416 schools in Devon. It ranks 4th of 12 primary schools in Bideford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2011.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 15 November 2011, report published 5 December 2011
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Requires improvement
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 4 May 2023
Pupils say they love their school. They benefit from being part of an inclusive community. Pupils display their actions by following the school's values of friendship, aspiration, inclusion, resilience and respect. Pupils feel safe. When they have concerns, they know they can speak to any adult for support. Pupils and staff have respectful relationships. For example, pupils meet with the headteacher to discuss how the school can make improvements. This has led to pupils developing their own anti-bullying charter. Leaders have high expectations for pupils. As a result, pupils' behaviour throughout the school is to a high standard. Pupils play well together in the well-resourced playgrounds. They are polite. Pupils are proud of their work and have positive attitudes to their learning. They are quick to respond to instructions from adults. As a result, the school is calm, and pupils are focused. Pupils take part in a wide range of activities, which prepares them for their next steps. They describe this as being 'world ready'. House captains lead their house teams and read to the younger children. Peer mediators help to resolve differences in the playground. Parents and carers appreciate that staff are supportive of their children's needs.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, the curriculum has not been implemented effectively. Learning does not consistently build on what pupils have previously learned. Leaders need to ensure that all subjects are implemented consistently well so that pupils know and remember more in every subject.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
18 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
136 pupils on roll, with places for 140
Schools near Instow Community Primary and Pre-School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appledore School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 79% met the expected standard |
| Fremington Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 46% met the expected standard |
| St George's CofE Infant and Nursery School | 2 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Not published |
| St Margaret's Church of England Junior School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 46% met the expected standard |
| St Mary's CofE Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 57% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Foundation school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Trust
- Atlantic Coast Co-Operative Trust
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Lucy Mardling
- Phone
- 01271860545
- Address
- Rectory Lane, Instow, Bideford, EX39 4LU
- Local authority
- Devon
- URN
- 113156
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.