Combe Pafford School

Combe Pafford School continues to be an effective institution, maintaining a good standard of education for its pupils, all of whom have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school fosters a positive and inclusive environment where students feel valued and motivated to learn. Positive relationships between staff and pupils contribute significantly to a harmonious school culture that encourages academic success and personal development. While the school has a strong track record of helping students transition to meaningful employment, it recognizes the need for improvements in the implementation of its curriculum to ensure that all subjects, especially in lower year groups, provide a consistent and coherent learning experience.

Strengths

• Strong positive relationships between staff and pupils.
• Ambitious and inclusive curriculum tailored to pupils' needs.
• Effective support for preparing pupils for future employment.
• Wide range of extracurricular opportunities, including residential visits.
• High expectations and well-managed behavior among pupils.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent implementation of the curriculum across different subjects.
• Lower school provision lacks ambition and coherence compared to upper school.

In 2024–25 pupils at Combe Pafford School attended 90.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 29.0% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 10.9% of pupils at Combe Pafford School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). One pupil was permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Combe Pafford School had 7.1 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 13.4% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 Combe Pafford School had 239 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: moderate learning difficulty; physical disability; autistic spectrum disorder.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Combe Pafford School received £22,790 and spent £21,518 for each of its 257 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £353,000 (£1,374 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

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What is Combe Pafford School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Combe Pafford School is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.

When was Combe Pafford School last inspected by Ofsted?

Combe Pafford School was last inspected in May 2024.

How many pupils does Combe Pafford School have?

Combe Pafford School has 239 pupils on roll.

What age range does Combe Pafford School cover?

Combe Pafford School for pupils aged 8 to 19.

What are Combe Pafford School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Combe Pafford School?

Combe Pafford School is at Steps Lane, Watcombe, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 8NL.