Paignton Academy is a secondary school in Paignton, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.
Paignton Academy currently has around 1582 pupils on roll, which is about 99% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 54.7% boys and 45.3% girls. Around 32.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 12.6%. Persistent absence is recorded at 36%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (88.4%).
Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 92% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (88%) , including 17% who stay in school sixth forms and 69% progressing to further education , while 2% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Waterleat Road, Paignton, TQ3 3WA |
| Website: | http://www.paigntonacademy.org |
| Telephone: | 01803403005 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Torbay |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Derwyn Williams |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 138863 |
Ofsted inspection date: 03/12/2024
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 16 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1590 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1582 |
| Number of Boys: | 865 |
| Number of Girls: | 717 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 12.6% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 36% | 8.2% |
| White British | 88.40% | 1399 |
| Other White | 2.80% | 45 |
| Unclassified | 1.80% | 29 |
| Other Asian | 1.40% | 22 |
| White and Asian | 1.30% | 21 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.90% | 14 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.80% | 13 |
| Indian | 0.70% | 11 |
| Other Mixed | 0.50% | 8 |
| White and Black African | 0.40% | 6 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.30% | 4 |
| African | 0.30% | 4 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.10% | 2 |
| Irish | 0.10% | 2 |
| Chinese | 0.10% | 1 |
| Other Black | 0.10% | 1 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Pakistani | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayes School Hayes Road , TQ4 5PJ | - not rated | 621 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Hayes School Hayes Road , TQ4 5PJ | - not rated | 621 yd | Foundation school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Michael's Church of England Academy Fisher Street , TQ4 5EW | 3out of 4 | 1,202 yd | Free schools | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Collaton St Mary Church of England Primary School Blagdon Road , TQ3 3YA | 3out of 4 | 1,234 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Collaton St Mary Church of England Primary School Blagdon Road , TQ3 3YA | - not rated | 1,234 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paignton Academy Waterleat Road , TQ3 3WA | - not rated | 0 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Paignton Community and Sports College Waterleat Road , TQ3 3WA | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Devon College Vantage Point , Long Road TQ4 7EJ | - not rated | 1,884 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambian Devon School Intek House , 52 Borough Road TQ4 7DQ | - not rated | 682 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Tower House School Fisher Street , TQ4 5EW | - not rated | 1,243 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Torbay PRU Higher Polsham Road , TQ3 2SZ | - not rated | 1,835 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Torhill @ the Polsham Centre 25 Higher Polsham Road , TQ3 2SZ | - not rated | 1,835 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Garage 19 Torbay Road , TQ4 6AA | - not rated | 1,851 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.