Cheddar First School

About Cheddar First School

Cheddar First School was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2024, with inspectors awarding Good across every category they judged: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school has held a Good rating consistently, with its previous inspection in 2011 also returning a Good overall effectiveness score. While the 2024 inspection was a graded visit, the overall effectiveness was not judged on that occasion, but the pattern of strong performance is clear. On the most informative exam metric available, the school’s Key Stage 2 results sit against a local authority average of 59 per cent reaching the expected standard. That figure places Cheddar First School in a competitive position within Somerset, where only six out of 219 primary schools have achieved an Outstanding rating. The school’s own academic story is one of steady, reliable quality rather than headline-grabbing peaks, and the Ofsted report confirms that pupils achieve well across the curriculum.

Parent feedback reinforces the academic picture. In the Parent View survey conducted between September 2024 and September 2025, 92 per cent of the 66 respondents said they would recommend the school. Strong majorities agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy at the school (95 per cent combined) and feels safe (95 per cent combined). On academic specifics, 94 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that the school has high expectations for their child, and 91 per cent said their child does well. The school’s capacity is 300 pupils, but it currently has 352 on roll, which means it is oversubscribed. For the 2025/26 admissions round, there were 67 applications for 49 places, with all 49 first-preference applicants receiving an offer. That oversubscription ratio of 1.37 suggests strong local demand, and parents should be aware that securing a place may require a first-preference application.

The school serves children from age 2 to 9, with nursery provision on site, and is a mixed, non-religious state primary in Somerset. Facilities include a sports hall, playing fields, a sensory room, and a chapel, and the school offers a range of sports including football, netball, cricket, and gymnastics, plus clubs such as coding, eco club, and choir. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. In the Parent View survey, 73 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the school gives SEND children the support they need, though 20 per cent said they did not know. This is a school that suits families looking for a solid, well-regarded local option with a strong parent community and a clear track record of Good outcomes, but who are prepared for the reality of oversubscription.

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