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Original poster

Secondary schools around Exeter and Torbay/St Cuthbert Mayne School

40 replies

curiousfather · 18/09/2023 14:08

Hi all. Need some guidance on secondary schools around the area for my 2 sons. We'll hopefully soon be moving to the area and need to explore in advance school options. My sons are in primary catholic school and would ideally want them to continue attending catholic schools. If we decide to move in before year 6, I have options in Exeter/Exmouth/Newton Abbott for primary schools.
However, there seem to be only 1 secondary catholic school in the area which is St Cuthbert Mayne School near Torquay. I wonder if I'm missing anything or if that's the case. Also, I have looked at their reviews and they're 50/50 plus Ofsted has dropped their rating earlier this year from good to requires improvement. Does anyone want to share their thoughts of this school/maybe your kids still attend or attended not long ago? It is rather unsettling to know 1 possibly have 1 option and the school is performing worse and worse over time.
Any comments are appreciated. Thanks

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Dadzzz · 25/10/2023 23:03

All the Exeter stations are on the Exmouth to Paignton line that would stop at Torre.

ShanghaiDiva · 25/10/2023 20:30

Newcourt is a newer station.

Iwasafool · 25/10/2023 10:54

curiousfather · 25/10/2023 10:36

Hey, it depends I think which side of Exeter you're on? It must be easier to catch the train when you're on St David's or Thomas side. I will try searching for bus to Torquay school too, thanks

I haven't been to Exeter for a while but there are some new stations, don't know if the Torquay train uses them. I think one is near the rugby ground. I could be wrong but might be worth investigating. I'm thinking of hold ups with road traffic although again I think the Newton Abbot link road has improved the access to Torbay.

Original poster
curiousfather · 25/10/2023 10:37

Thanks a lot, that is really helpful. Now hopefully will find the same for Torquay school

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Original poster
curiousfather · 25/10/2023 10:36

Hey, it depends I think which side of Exeter you're on? It must be easier to catch the train when you're on St David's or Thomas side. I will try searching for bus to Torquay school too, thanks

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Iwasafool · 24/10/2023 22:21

Wouldn't the train be easier. I asked GS, he's just left TBGS, and he says all his friends from Exeter used the train.

Dadzzz · 24/10/2023 22:02

I can't see the Torquay grammar bus times but worth speaking to dartline. I'm sure there is a bus from tesco rydon lane and one from darts farm, around 730/8.

For Colyton look here and can download all the Exeter bus times https://www.colytongrammar.com/97/getting-here

Getting here - Colyton Grammar School

Colyton Grammar School is a co-educational grammar school located in the village of Colyford in East Devon, England that teaches students from years 7 to 13. The school has been classified by Ofsted a..

https://www.colytongrammar.com/97/getting-here

Original poster
curiousfather · 24/10/2023 21:14

Thanks again all for great comments. I wonder if anyone knows routes of these buses to Colyton and Torquay? I am trying to google these and can't find anything that has any value! Unless I need to ask the school directly as they're the ones who organize transport. Also, do they charge much for kids using these buses?

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TrumpetOfTheMatriarchy · 24/10/2023 08:11

I have two children in West Exe. You hear mixed reviews but mine are happy and thriving. Check out their exam results if you want to judge on some concrete evidence. There have been issues but I would say the school is trying to engage parents more and listen to any concerns when they are raised.

Iwasafool · 24/10/2023 07:44

Loads of kids get the train from Exeter to the Torquay grammar schools, it is walking distance from Torre station.

Churston is a mixed sex grammar if you aren't interested in single sex, I've had children/grandchildren at both and found the pastoral care at Churston to be very high. Not great for an Exeter commute though.

Dadzzz · 24/10/2023 07:35

Have dc at colyton and St peters. Live East of Exeter and they use/can use public transport or the school bus. Also friends her who have dc at Torquay grammar who use school bus also know kids get the train from Topsham through exeter down to Torquay

Original poster
curiousfather · 24/10/2023 06:49

Thanks for your message. Did you mean St David's side to be on? :) And do you know this bus route - I wonder whether it crosses the river maybe and collects children from Eastern suburbs too? I haven't given up completely on that area, or I should say school, but would prefer living closer to Exeter. Obviously this creates a challenge and question how do kids get to school. I know people send kids on school bus even to Colyton, but I don't know how I'd feel about pushing such young kids to spend on the bus probably 2h if not more each day, 5 times a week. Plus considering demanding learning pace. Torquay would be definitely closer even when using public transport/dedicated school bus. We are yet still to observe kids and decide whether they'll cope with accelerated learning pace. As much as parents we'd like the best for our kids, sometimes you need to realistically look and judge. Anyway, St Peter's seems good too and I hear rather positive feedback. I wouldn't mind hearing extra feedback from anyone from Exeter or nearby who decided to send their kids to one of the grammar schools, whether this is Torquay or Colyton. Just to understand how this works in practice for them and children :) thanks!

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HowDidThisHappen1 · 23/10/2023 23:33

As a prospective parent I can share what we saw on open day at Torquay Boys Grammar. They have 35 acres of grounds for lots of sport (more than many local private schools) and a wonderfully varied curriculum. Their art dept and design technology centre are very impressive. They think carefully about things like how to engage boys in reading and English through innovative teaching methods. The pastoral care also looks strong.

There is a direct train connection from Exeter to Torquay Grammar, and they run a dedicated bus on that route. So if youre on the right side of Exeter near a station it could work.

Grammar school tests are getting increasingly competitive though, so worth being in catchment for a good comprehensive school just in case your boys dont pass (or one does and not the other). St Peters Exeter has a good reputation and we have friends who are very happy there.

Original poster
curiousfather · 12/10/2023 21:28

Thanks again all for your recommendations and suggestions. I think we will stick to original plan and choose Exeter. I am not yet 100% sure what schools to choose but at least I have narrowed down the search for sure. Now off to explore in depth Heavitree, Pinhoe, maybe little bit lower towards Monkerton and Digby. In search for healthy balance between schools and property price...😀

OP posts:
Rufus27 · 09/10/2023 08:15

I have sent you a message @curiousfather .

BeastOfBODMAS · 08/10/2023 22:32

If you can, get a feel for summer holiday traffic before you decide how far things are away from other things!

Kingskerswell does seem really nice, I wanted to look at a house there but husband wasn’t keen as doesn’t drive.

Don’t spend silly money on a house with beautiful views in Maidencombe, they’ve been trying to ruin it with massive developments for a decade.

Original poster
curiousfather · 08/10/2023 22:27

Also - this Tedd Wragg Academy Trust - can someone share their views/experiences?
I was shocked when came across this.

Not sure what this is all about??

I was thinking maybe if I'm on St Thomas side, I have WestExe as an option. ISCA one of the options in Heavitree. There are St Peters or Clyst Vale but I think would need to be closer there...I hope that this below blog is outdated and these schools have improved since. I think i need more fresh parental feedback from secondary schools:) anything from 5 years ago can mean a little today :)

https://www.tedwragg.com/#ContactUs

Ted Wragg Trust Failing Our Kids

The Ted Wragg Trust isn't working for our children. This website is a forum for frustrated parents/carers who have exhausted the school complaints process and gotten nowhere. You aren't alone.

https://www.tedwragg.com/#ContactUs

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Original poster
curiousfather · 08/10/2023 21:25

BeastOfBODMAS · 08/10/2023 19:24

Would you say that there is high % of future doctors or researchers etc leaving grammar schools? How do we know which school suits more academic children or different cohort?

Yes. To get into the grammar schools, the kids have to score highest in academic tests. Only the top 25% or so would get in.

There is, or use to be, quite a strong culture of aiming for a good university and getting into a profession.

There are good non-school sports clubs and outdoor activities around, so personally I wouldn’t make sport a deciding factor for choosing a school.

The A380 runs all the way to Paignton, depending on traffic it can be quicker to get to Exeter from the top of Paignton than say, St Marychurch or Babbacombe (which is ‘north Torquay’).
I’d seriously look at Marldon and the Preston area of Paignton, as well as Kingskerswell and Coffinswell.

Good Luck! Can you rent for a bit to get the feel of the place?

Thanks. Not sure if I want to explore suburbs of Paignton. However my kids love Paignton Zoo 😅 But from all the conversations so far, I'd rather be higher up on the map, closer to Exeter, maybe outside of it but closer to Exeter than Torquay.
Yes - we'd rent for minimum 6months, probably more to have a feel of a place and then search for a place to buy, what again takes long time. But - I am asking lots of questions and exploring all of the suggested areas, as I'd rather narrow down my search to 1-2 places, probably close driving distance to each other, so that I can rent in one and visit the other regularly too and check out both 😀

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BeastOfBODMAS · 08/10/2023 19:24

Would you say that there is high % of future doctors or researchers etc leaving grammar schools? How do we know which school suits more academic children or different cohort?

Yes. To get into the grammar schools, the kids have to score highest in academic tests. Only the top 25% or so would get in.

There is, or use to be, quite a strong culture of aiming for a good university and getting into a profession.

There are good non-school sports clubs and outdoor activities around, so personally I wouldn’t make sport a deciding factor for choosing a school.

The A380 runs all the way to Paignton, depending on traffic it can be quicker to get to Exeter from the top of Paignton than say, St Marychurch or Babbacombe (which is ‘north Torquay’).
I’d seriously look at Marldon and the Preston area of Paignton, as well as Kingskerswell and Coffinswell.

Good Luck! Can you rent for a bit to get the feel of the place?

Original poster
curiousfather · 07/10/2023 15:03

Thanks Postapocalypticcowgirl
I stsrt understanding more about higher education system:)
I like schools that promote sport and exercise, my kids are definitely very active and like different activities and team sports.
Would you say that there is high % of future doctors or researchers etc leaving grammar schools? How do we know which school suits more academic children or different cohort? Is it all written in schools curriculum that's usually on their website? Trying to understand where to read about school to know their focus/speciality etc
Thanks

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Postapocalypticcowgirl · 07/10/2023 14:32

curiousfather · 26/09/2023 13:47

Thanks.
I have started learning about differences between 6th form and non-6th form. I agree, I'd rather have my children go more difficult route to potentially be in a better position in the future.
Shame none of the schools in Exeter have 6th form. I would have thought at least 1 would be ambitious to offer something extra and stand out!
I have had a look at grammar schools in Torquay and that one for boys only seems good and reasonably high in rankings.
Questions to you as to experienced teacher:

  • is it again worth while sending children to a grammar school which I believe has entry exams so don't just accept based on catchment etc and possibly has higher standards of education compared to a state school?
  • I believe you have A-level exams after those extra 2 years - what is the difference between applying to a Uni with and without A-levels? Does it mean you have more options when applying with A-levels? Sorry, some questions may have straightforward answer, but for someone who is only starting walking, anything seems like an ocean of unknown:) thanks!

I feel like Exeter is really limited in terms of choices post 16 compared to cities in the rest of the country. I would want my children to have options at post 16, both staying on at school and going to college, if possible. Different things suit different children.

In terms of grammar schools, they can really suit very academic children. The Torquay grammars are also very sporty in my experience. It's about the right school for the child, really.

In terms of going to uni, you need to have Level 3 qualifications to apply. This could be A-levels, or it could be a more vocational qualification like a BTEC depending on the course you want to apply for. You can't apply to uni with just GCSEs, so students do need to do something between 16-18 before uni.

Original poster
curiousfather · 06/10/2023 22:43

Thanks for your message.
I was mainly thinking of north suburbs so that it's easy to access a380.
So let's say anything above grammar schools and St Cuthbert, including Kingskerswell. Any suggestions?:)
Not sure if I want to go that south to be around Brixam, must be lovely there, but far from everything and everywhere.

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Rufus27 · 06/10/2023 19:20

Speaking as someone who went to an Exeter high school, then college and then uni, @curiousfather , I totally agree with you. I found it unnecessarily disruptive and would have preferred 11-18 straight through, as you say. Sadly that wasn’t an option at the time.

There are some lovely towns and villages within commuting distance of Torquay. I’d possibly look at Chudleigh, Coffinswell, Ipplepen, or towards Stoke Gabriel or even Maidencombe etc rather than Kingsteignton or Kingskerswell but it’s personal preference and depends what you want .

BeastOfBODMAS · 06/10/2023 15:16

Coffinswell, Abbotskerswell and Chudleigh are nice villages on main roads that might suit you, on the Newton Abbot side

BeastOfBODMAS · 06/10/2023 15:13

Torquay isn’t that big, there’s no ‘far suburbs’ really.
I’ve lived in the middle and on the edge and in between, so if there’s an area you’re looking at, I will tell you if I’d bring up my own child there!

I would suggest looking at Churston Grammar, as well as Torquay boys. It’s mixed sex, has a 6th form and good reputation, and there are some nice residential areas and villages in the catchment - Galmpton, Churston, Stoke Gabriel, Hookhills, White Rock, Broadsands, Compton and Marldon.

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