Glendinning Academy

Glendinning Academy has made a strong start since its opening in September 2020, achieving a 'Good' overall effectiveness rating in its first inspection. The school excels in creating a supportive and nurturing environment for its pupils, who appreciate the high expectations set by staff, which facilitates their academic and personal growth. The curriculum is well-planned and ambitious, allowing pupils to explore a variety of subjects. However, the school acknowledges areas for improvement, particularly in establishing effective assessment systems to help pupils retain knowledge and build upon their prior learning effectively.

Strengths

• Calm and productive atmosphere created by staff
• Strong sense of belonging among pupils
• High expectations and support for all pupils
• Ambitious and well-planned curriculum
• Effective early reading and phonics instruction
• Positive relationships and communication between staff and pupils
• Engagement in various extracurricular activities

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent recall of prior learning due to lack of effective assessment systems
• Concerns from some parents about the impact of staffing changes on education

In 2024–25 pupils at Glendinning Academy attended 90.3% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 26.9% 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, 7.7% of pupils at Glendinning Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were 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 Glendinning Academy had 7.5 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 3.4% 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 Glendinning Academy had 131 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: 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 Glendinning Academy received £28,512 and spent £26,395 for each of its 130 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £996,000 (£7,664 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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All schools in Newton Abbot · Devon local authority: places and applications

What is Glendinning Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Glendinning Academy is Good, from an inspection in September 2023.

When was Glendinning Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Glendinning Academy was last inspected in September 2023.

How many pupils does Glendinning Academy have?

Glendinning Academy has 131 pupils on roll.

What age range does Glendinning Academy cover?

Glendinning Academy for pupils aged 7 to 19.

What are Glendinning Academy's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 28.4, and 28% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

What are Glendinning Academy's SATs (KS2) results?

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

Where is Glendinning Academy?

Glendinning Academy is at Sandringham Road, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 4HD.