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Foundation school · Torbay

The Spires College

  • 11–18Ages
  • 1,154Pupils
  • SecondaryPhase
  • Sixth formAges 16–18
  • 113526URN

Westlands Lane, Torquay, TQ1 3PE · School website

Applications per placeCircle size: applicationsThis school
Latest Ofsted
Graded GoodApr 2017
School remains GoodUngraded inspection · Nov 2022
What Ofsted found
Applications per place · Sept 2026
2.9per place
1.1 above Torbay median (1.8)
Fewer applicationsMore

This schoolOther secondary schools in TorbaySelective

561 applications for 194 places · 1st of 8 in Torbay
Every year since 2014
Attainment 8 · 2025/26 (provisional)
45.1of 90
5th of 8 in Torbay
All GCSE results

What did Ofsted find?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026
Graded GoodApr 2017
School remains GoodUngraded inspection · Nov 2022

Inspection history

  1. 16 November 2022
    Ungraded inspection: School remains Good
  2. 19 April 2017
    Graded inspection: Good

Full reports on the Ofsted website · How to read Ofsted grades

About these grades

Ofsted's report cards (from November 2025) grade each area on five steps and give no overall grade. Earlier grades come from a different framework; Ofsted says the two cannot be compared, so they are never converted here. Ofsted: "We normally inspect schools every 4 years or at any time if we have concerns." Methodology.

How hard is it to get a place?

DfE · Sept 2026 entry
2.9applications per place, Year 7
1.1 above Torbay median (1.8) 0.7 above England median (2.2)

561 applications · 194 places offered · 199 named it first

  1. 2026 2.9; Torbay median median 1.8
  2. 2025 2.7; Torbay median median 1.9
  3. 2024 2.9; Torbay median median 1.9
  4. 2023 2.5; Torbay median median 1.9
  5. 2022 3.0; Torbay median median 1.9
  6. 2021 2.8; Torbay median median 2.1
  7. 2020 2.6; Torbay median median 1.7
  8. 2019 1.8; Torbay median median 1.8
  9. 2018 1.7; Torbay median median 1.7
  10. 2017 2.0; Torbay median median 1.9
  11. 2016 1.8; Torbay median median 1.8
  12. 2015 1.9; Torbay median median 1.7
  13. 2014 2.4; Torbay median median 1.6
  • This school
  • Torbay median

Year 7 applications for September 2027 close 31 October 2026, through your council

How this is measured

Applications per place: every application naming the school at any preference, divided by places offered on National Offer Day. It is not your chance of a place. Methodology.

EntryPlacesApplicationsPer placeFirst preferencesFirst-pref. ratio
Sep 20261945612.91991.03
Sep 20252185832.72130.98
Sep 20241955612.92231.14
Sep 20232095202.51990.95
Sep 20221975863.02231.13
Sep 20212015692.82351.17
Sep 20202035302.61980.98
Sep 20192414371.81660.69
Sep 20182073581.71460.71
Sep 20171402812.01020.73
Sep 20161632981.81040.64
Sep 20151412631.9950.67
Sep 20141323122.41050.80

How did pupils do at GCSE?

DfE KS4 · 2025/26 provisional

199 pupils took GCSEs in 2025/26.

Attainment 8 (out of 90)45.15th of 8 in Torbay
Grade 5 or above in English and maths46%5th of 8 in Torbay
Grade 4 or above in English and maths66%
  • This school
  • Torbay median
  • England median
Progress 8 (2023/24, the latest published)−0.15
−20 = national average+2
Every year as a table
YearPupilsAttainment 85+ Eng & maths4+ Eng & mathsProgress 8
2025/26 (prov.)19945.146%66%–
2024/2518344.551%61%–
2023/2421143.640%57%−0.15
2022/2320540.834%56%−0.49

Progress 8 is not published for 2024/25 or 2025/26: those pupils had no key stage 2 tests in 2020 and 2021.

Schools nearby

The 8 nearest secondary schools in a straight line, in any local authority

  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement
  • Does not apply

Eight dots, one per area: inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, personal development, early years, post-16, leadership. Colours follow Ofsted's report card scale; Schoolfile is independent of Ofsted.

School details

Type
Foundation school
Phase
Secondary
URN · DfE number
113526 · 880/4117
Trust
Westlands School Trust
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Capacity
1,304 pupils · 1,154 on roll
Free school meals
31.8% of pupils (England median 23%)
Address
Westlands Lane, Torquay, TQ1 3PE
Local authority
Torbay

Data last changed 19 October 2026 · Report an error · Corrections · Sources