Torquay Academy
Torquay Academy is a state-funded co-educational secondary school and academy in Torquay, UK, serving students aged 11-18 (Years 7-13) under the Torquay Boys' Grammar School Multi Academy Trust. It delivers GCSE and A-Level curricula alongside an extensive extracurricular portfolio including Combined Cadet Force, Adventure Academy, Greenpower Motorsport, and Performing Arts Academy, funded primarily by UK government per-pupil grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersTorquay, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Torquay Academy does
Torquay Academy is a state-funded co-educational secondary school and academy located on Cricketfield Road in Torquay, Devon, England, serving students aged 11-18 (Years 7-13). The school is part of the Torquay Boys' Grammar School Multi Academy Trust and operates under the Torquay Academy legal entity, having previously been known as Torquay Community College and Audley Park School. It offers a full Key Stage 4 (GCSE) curriculum across approximately 24 subject areas and a Key Stage 5 (A-Level and equivalent) curriculum spanning Sciences, Humanities, Arts, and vocational pathways, delivered through a standard educational technology stack comprising Google Classroom, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, and ParentPay for payments.
The core educational product is supplemented by an extensive extracurricular portfolio that functions as the school's primary differentiator. This includes a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) with Army and RAF sections and nearly 200 cadets, an Adventure Academy offering climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, coasteering, and Ten Tors navigation challenges, a Greenpower Motorsport programme competing at venues including Goodwood and Silverstone, a Performing Arts Academy staging productions in the school's multi-million-pound theatre (The Platform), Football and Performing Arts Year 7 specialist academies, and a wide range of sports clubs. The school has invested in dedicated facilities including the Platform theatre, climbing wall, fleet of bikes, kayaking boats, and a motorsport workshop.
Revenue is generated primarily through government per-pupil funding from the UK Education Funding Agency (DfE), supplemented by subsidised fee income from instrumental music lessons (standard £70/term, Pupil Premium £30/term, LAMDA £100/term). The school is heavily oversubscribed with a waiting list, indicating demand exceeds physical capacity. As a state academy, core education is free at point of use; ancillary fee income is modest and policy-constrained. The school has no commercial revenue diversification, no investor base, and no expansion via M&A activity. Its primary growth constraint is site capacity rather than demand.
Torquay Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Torquay Academy
- Legal name
- Torquay Academy
- Website
- https://tqacademy.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Torquay Academy is a state-funded co-educational secondary school and academy in Torquay, UK, serving students aged 11-18 (Years 7-13) under the Torquay Boys' Grammar School Multi Academy Trust. It delivers GCSE and A-Level curricula alongside an extensive extracurricular portfolio including Combined Cadet Force, Adventure Academy, Greenpower Motorsport, and Performing Arts Academy, funded primarily by UK government per-pupil grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Torquay Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Secondary Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Magnet & Specialty Schools (STEM/Arts/IB/CTE) (EDAJAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Single-Sport Skill Academies (Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, etc.) (MPAKAJAB)
Keywords
Where Torquay Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Torquay
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Torquay Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Government Funding (Education Funding): As a state-funded secondary academy, Torquay Academy receives government funding based on student enrollment numbers. This is the primary revenue source for operational costs including staff salaries, facilities maintenance, and educational programs.
- Instrumental Music Lessons: The school provides subsidised one-to-one instrumental music lessons on piano, vocals, guitar, bass, drums, music technology, music theory, and LAMDA (acting and musical theatre). Revenue generated from lesson fees supplements the music program.
- Music Tuition Fees: Standard rate: £70 per term for 10 x 20-minute lessons. Pupil Premium discounted rate: £30 per term. LAMDA (Acting/Musical Theatre): £100 per term for 10 x 30-minute lessons.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Termly | Standard Instrumental Lessons |
| Subscription | Termly | Pupil Premium Discounted Lessons |
| Subscription | Termly | LAMDA Acting and Musical Theatre |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Torquay Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Torquay Academy is a state-funded co-educational secondary school for students aged 11–18 (Years 7–13) that delivers GCSE and A-Level academic programmes alongside an extensive extracurricular offer. Its offerings span the Key Stage 4 Curriculum (24 GCSE subject areas), the Key Stage 5 Sixth Form Curriculum, plus specialised academies in Football, Performing Arts and Sixth Form Sport, and extracurricular programmes including Adventure Academy, Combined Cadet Force (Army/RAF), Greenpower Motorsport, instrumental music lessons, and sports clubs. Core education is free at the point of use, funded by the UK government.
Product overview
Torquay Academy is a secondary school (ages 11-18) offering a comprehensive educational program structured around its KS4 Curriculum (24 GCSE subjects) and KS5 Curriculum (A-Level and equivalent courses). The school operates a platform of extracurricular programs including specialized academies (Football Academy, Performing Arts Academy, Sixth Form Sports Academies), outdoor/adventure programs (Adventure Academy, Combined Cadet Force), creative programs (Performing Arts Academy productions, Art Club, Music Academies, Creative Writing Club), sports programs (Sports Clubs across 14 disciplines), and academic support programs (121 Instrumental Lessons, Fun Friday awards, revision sessions). The KS4 Curriculum spans subjects from Art to Statistics, while the KS5 Curriculum offers A-Level equivalents in Sciences, Humanities, Arts, and vocational areas. The Greenpower Motorsport program represents a distinctive engineering-focused extracurricular offering.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- KS4 Curriculum Key Stage 4 GCSE curriculum covering 24 subject areas including Art, Business Studies, Construction, Dance, Engineering, English, French, Geography, History, Mathematics, Media Studies, Music, Physical Education, Product Design, Religious Studies, Science, Spanish, and more, for students in Years 10–11.
- KS5 Curriculum (Sixth Form) Key Stage 5 A-Level and equivalent curriculum for Sixth Form students, including Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Further Mathematics, Health & Social Care, Information Technology, Music Performance, Performing Arts, Photography, Physics, Psychology, and Sport.
- Adventure Academy Outdoor activities programme including climbing, mountain biking, coasteering, kayaking, Ten Tors navigation challenges, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels for students across all year groups.
- Greenpower Motorsport Engineering motorsport programme where students aged 11–16 design, build and race electric racing cars, developing engineering and soft skills including teamwork, resilience and commitment. Races take place at venues including Goodwood, Silverstone, Castle Combe and Dunsfold Park.
- Year 7 Football Academy Specialised football training and development programme designed for Year 7 students entering the academy.
- Year 7 Performing Arts Academy Specialised performing arts programme for Year 7 students focused on acting, singing and dancing.
- Sixth Form Sports Academies Sports development programmes designed for Sixth Form students at the academy.
- Performing Arts Academy (PAA) Large-scale theatrical productions staged in the school's multi-million-pound theatre "The Platform". Past productions include Aladdin, Fame, Annie, Guys & Dolls, High School Musical, Oliver and Matilda. Open to all experience levels, meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.
- Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Military-style training programme with Army and RAF sections open to students from Year 8, with near 200 cadets regularly participating in Wednesday parades. Activities include command tasks, leadership skills, survival, first aid, navigation, drills, weapons training (air rifles, paintball, L98A2 Cadet GP rifle), flying (gliders and fixed wing), and overnight camps on military bases, including live firing at Royal Navy Base Chivenor.
- 121 Instrumental Lessons Subsidised one-to-one private music and acting lessons from specialist teachers in piano, vocals, guitar, bass, drums, music technology, music theory, and LAMDA acting and musical theatre. Standard rate £70 per term for 10 x 20-minute lessons; Pupil Premium rate £30 per term; LAMDA rate £100 per term for 10 x 30-minute lessons.
- Sports Clubs Competitive and recreational sports clubs including Football Academy (Years 7–11), Girls' Football, Netball Academy, Table Tennis Academy, Badminton, Rugby (boys and girls Years 7–10), Cricket, Rounders, Basketball, Athletics and Running Club.
Quantifiable outcome
- Progress 8 score of 0.59 achieved in 2016, making it top 5 schools in South West and one of most improved in UK
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Torquay Academy
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Torquay Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Torquay Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Royal Navy Base ChivenorcoreCCF (Combined Cadet Force) programme includes access to Royal Navy Base Chivenor for live firing marksmanship training (LFMT). Cadets travel to the base for training with L98A2 Cadet GP rifles on the 25-metre range. This provides authentic military training experiences unavailable at standard school facilities.
- Army Cadet ForcecoreThe CCF Army section provides military training including command tasks, communication, leadership skills, survival, bush craft, first aid, navigation, and drills. Students participate in Ten Tors Challenge organised by the Army. Access to military training camps around the country delivered by Cadet Training Teams.
- Royal Air ForcecoreCCF RAF section provides cadets with regular flights in gliders and fixed wing propeller aircraft. Enables unique aviation experiences for students developing leadership and discipline through military aviation connections.
- Wetumpka High School, AlabamaminorInternational yearbook collaboration where Torquay Academy's Yearbook Committee leaders (Molly and Oscar) connected with American counterparts via video call to share yearbook strategies and best practices. Cross-continental brainstorming session for student-led project.
- De Montfort University, LeicesterminorRC Car racing team visited university for inaugural competition. Students received campus tour providing first taste of higher education and exposure to university life. Partnership supports career exploration and aspiration building.
- Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, AlabamaminorGreenpower motorsport team visited the world-famous museum during their Alabama trip. Students received personalised tour exploring engineering, innovation, and motorsport history. Visit inspired students and brought concepts from their own racing experiences to life.
- Challenge PartnerscoreEducational peer review network providing annual external verification of school's judgments. Governors participate in learning walks and lesson observations. Challenge Partners review identified pupil premium work as area of national excellence. Membership supports continuous school improvement.
- Torquay Golf ClubminorStudents George and Ethan represented their team at the prestigious Torquay Golf Club Pro-Am, finishing 2nd overall. Competition is on the South West PGA circuit and dates back to the 1970s where Nick Faldo secured his first professional victory.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights9 records
Torquay Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Marine Academy Plymouth: Coastal state secondary academy in Plymouth with similar transformation narrative, sponsored academy status, and South West catchment. Comparable operating model as a state-funded academy serving a coastal community.
- Exeter School: Independent co-educational day school in Devon covering ages 6-18 with extensive extracurricular offering including CCF, performing arts, and sports academies. Competes for aspirational South West families in the same regional market.
- Blundell's School: Independent co-educational school in Devon with strong CCF, sports and outdoor education heritage. Comparable as a South West secondary competitor for aspirational families.
- Sherborne School: Independent boys' school in Dorset with strong CCF, sports and performing arts programmes. Comparable in extracurricular depth and reputation as a leading South West secondary provider.
- Devonport High School for Boys: Selective state grammar school in Plymouth serving a similar South West demographic. Principal Mr Margetts previously served as Deputy Headteacher here, indicating direct leadership lineage and similar academic positioning.
- The Maynard School: Independent girls' day school in Exeter offering GCSE and A-Level provision with strong performing arts and sport. Comparable secondary cohort and academic outcomes focus in the Devon market.
- Taunton School: Independent co-educational day and boarding school in Somerset serving similar 11-18 age range with comparable breadth of academic and extracurricular programmes across the South West.
- Plymouth College: Independent co-educational day and boarding school in Plymouth with comparable age range (3-18), broad extracurricular programme including CCF and adventure sport, and similar South West coastal positioning.
Direct peers
- South Devon UTC: University Technical College in the South West offering secondary education with specialist STEM and technical focus. Similar state-funded status and 14-19 age range, competes for technical-aspirational families in the same region.
- Torquay Boys' Grammar School: Sister school within the same Torquay Boys' Grammar School Multi-Academy Trust. Serves overlapping Torbay catchment with secondary and sixth-form provision; directly comparable operating model, governance, and leadership pipeline.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Torquay Academy social profiles
Digital presenceTorquay Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Torquay Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Torquay Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Torquay Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Torquay Academy
What does Torquay Academy do?
Torquay Academy is a state-funded co-educational secondary school for students aged 11–18 (Years 7–13) that delivers GCSE and A-Level academic programmes alongside an extensive extracurricular offer. Its offerings span the Key Stage 4 Curriculum (24 GCSE subject areas), the Key Stage 5 Sixth Form Curriculum, plus specialised academies in Football, Performing Arts and Sixth Form Sport, and extracurricular programmes including Adventure Academy, Combined Cadet Force (Army/RAF), Greenpower Motorsport, instrumental music lessons, and sports clubs. Core education is free at the point of use, funded by the UK government.
Is Torquay Academy a public or private company?
Torquay Academy is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Torquay Academy founded?
Torquay Academy was founded in 2014. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Torquay Academy based?
Torquay Academy is headquartered in Torquay, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Torquay Academy make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Funding (Education Funding) is the primary driver. The others are instrumental Music Lessons and music Tuition Fees.
Who are Torquay Academy's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Marine Academy Plymouth, Exeter School, Blundell's School, Sherborne School, Devonport High School for Boys, The Maynard School, Taunton School and Plymouth College. Direct peers are South Devon UTC and Torquay Boys' Grammar School.
Does Torquay Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Torquay Academy.
What industry is Torquay Academy in?
Torquay Academy's product category is Secondary Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAF, Public Magnet & Specialty Schools (STEM/Arts/IB/CTE), with a secondary code of MPAKAJAB, Single-Sport Skill Academies (Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, etc.). Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.