Devon is, in many ways, the dream location. Eminently well connected, London is under two hours away by train from Exeter and the airport can take you far and wide. The county itself is also geographically magnificent, offering something to suit most idyll seekers. From surfing at Croyde, Putsborough and Woolacombe on the North Devon coast to sailing around salubrious Salcombe and the picturesque harbours of the South Devon ‘English Riviera’. Carry on through Brixham via Torquay to Paignton before ending at the palaeontologist’s dream of the Jurassic Coast near Lyme Regis in East Devon. The coastal experiences are rich and varied. Add to this two flourishing cities: Exeter with its Russell Group university and resultant cosmopolitan culture and Plymouth with its rich maritime history and enviable location. No surprise then that the county is attracting its fair share of re-locators searching for a wilder, freer and more adventurous life.
| Local Education Authorities in Devon |
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| Devon County Council |
| Plymouth City Council |
| Torbay Council |
Families are somewhat spoilt for choice with the educational options in Devon and this is a big lure for those relocating. The county has some fabulous independent schools, all renowned for their adventurous extra-curricular offerings and inclusive entrance policies, but it also has a widely praised grammar school system and some of the most academically successful non-selective state schools in the UK.
Devon’s three local authorities (Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council) use catchment or ‘school designated’ areas for allocating places at schools. Roughly, in rural areas this allows pupils to have designated school places if they live within a ten-mile radius (primary schools) or a 15-mile radius (secondary schools). Please note that catchments are dramatically smaller in urban areas. There are also several denominational schools whose admissions policies prioritise those of faith.
Grammar intakes are based on 11+ exam scores and are open to applicants from any location. Those children applying to multiple grammars in Torbay need only sit one 11+ entrance assessment thanks to the schools seeing sense and setting a single exam which serves them all.
We have split the county into five areas: Exeter, Plymouth, North Devon, South Devon and East Devon and taken a deeper look at the schooling on offer here including the 30 schools in the county that are reviewed by The Good Schools Guide.
Looking for the best schools in Devon? Our education consultants can help
The Good Schools Guide education consultants work with parents from all over the world to successfully find schools that are the perfect fit for their children. With experts spread out across the country, we are sure that we would be able to help your family too whether in Devon or elsewhere. Read about education consultancy services or get in touch by emailing consultants@goodschoolsguide.co.uk
Your experience of education in Devon
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We examined the value-added from KS2 to GCSE for 2022 to see which state selective grammar schools added the most value to their offspring. A note of caution - the more highly selective a grammar school, the less scope there will be to add value.
Grammar schools are state-funded, academically selective senior schools. The education a child receives at grammar school is paid for by the state unlike at private schools which provide education for a fee. There are currently around 163 located in 36 English local authorities, with around 167,000 pupils between them. Northern Ireland has a further 67 grammar schools, but there are none in Wales or Scotland. A word of caution: there are private schools that have the word 'grammar' in their name but this is purely for historical reasons.
At specialist music, dance or performing arts schools, the arts aren't optional extras. They’re intrinsic to the school curriculum. Students are expected to fit in high level training and hours of practice alongside a full academic provision. It's a lot to ask any child to take on, but for those with exceptional performing ability this kind of education can be transformative.