Torquay Girls' Grammar School is a mainstream secondary school in Torquay, Torbay, for girls aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 73 of its 1,058 pupils (6.9%) were getting SEN support and 2 (0.2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,058 pupils
- Girls only
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Torbay.
6.9% get SEN support
73 of 1,058 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
0.2% have an EHC plan
2 of 1,058 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health35
- Autism19
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia10
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Girls only
- Pupils
- 1,058 (places for 1,200)
- Admissions
- Selective (a grammar school)
- Headteacher
- Ms Sarah Forster
- Part of
- Torquay Girls' Grammar School
- Free school meals
- 6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Torbay
- School reference (URN)
- 136506
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Torbay council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Outstanding, November 2023
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in November 2023.
- Quality of educationOutstanding
- Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Sixth formOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
30 Shiphay Lane, Torquay, TQ2 7DY
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Lift Barton Hill Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
- Eat That Frog C.I.C Independent · Ages 16–25 1.2 miles
- Preston Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.5 miles
- Combe Pafford School Special school · Ages 8–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.7 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Torquay Boys' Grammar School Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 2.7%, EHC plans 0.5% 0.2 miles
- Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 23.4%, EHC plans 9% 0.2 miles
- Sherwell Valley Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 4%, EHC plans 1.9% 0.4 miles
Questions about Torquay Girls' Grammar School
How many pupils at Torquay Girls' Grammar School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 73 of the 1,058 pupils (6.9%) were getting SEN support and 2 (0.2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Torquay Girls' Grammar School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (35 pupils), autism (19 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (10 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Torquay Girls' Grammar School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Torquay Girls' Grammar School?
Through Torbay council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Torquay Girls' Grammar School?
You can ask for Torquay Girls' Grammar School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Torquay Girls' Grammar School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Lift Barton Hill, about 1.0 mile away.
Where is Torquay Girls' Grammar School?
30 Shiphay Lane, Torquay, TQ2 7DY, in Torbay.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.