Best secondary schools in Paignton (2026)
Paignton has 3 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is Torquay Girls' Grammar School, in the top 4% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 58.8, against 46.1 for England. 2 are in England's top 10%, and 1 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 2 grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Top 4% in England |
Torquay Girls' Grammar School Paignton · Grammar · Girls |
69.2 | 68.6 | 90% | Outstanding | |
2 Top 4% in England |
Torquay Boys' Grammar School Paignton · Grammar · Boys |
68.0 | 70.8 | 93% | Report card | |
3 Bottom 11% in England |
Paignton Academy Paignton |
37.8 | 36.9 | 25% | Not judged |
Other towns in Devon
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Paignton?
On exam results over the last three years, Torquay Girls' Grammar School is the top-ranked secondary school in Paignton, in the top 4% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.