Cheddar Grove Primary School

About Cheddar Grove Primary School

Cheddar Grove Primary School holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, but the detail beneath that headline tells a more interesting story. Inspectors awarded the top grade of Outstanding in three of the five categories: behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision. Leadership and management was also rated Outstanding, while quality of education was judged Good. On the key academic measure for primary schools, 66% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined in the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments. That is comfortably above the local authority average of 58% for Bristol, and it places the school 27th out of 85 primary schools in the city — firmly in the top third. The school also ranks in the top 50% nationally. Compared with its previous inspection in 2013, which also rated overall effectiveness as Good, the school has clearly strengthened its provision in several areas.

Looking more closely at the 2023/24 exam results, the picture is one of solid core skills with some variation between subjects. In writing, 83% of pupils reached the expected standard, and in maths it was 80%, while reading was slightly lower at 71%. At the higher standard, 31% achieved in reading, 22% in maths, but only 7% in writing and just 3% across all three subjects combined. Average scaled scores were 104 in both reading and maths, which is in line with the national average of 100. The school does not publish progress scores, so it is not possible to say how much value it adds relative to pupils' starting points, but the attainment data suggests a school that delivers consistent, above-average outcomes. The Ofsted inspection noted that early years provision is Outstanding, which bodes well for children joining the nursery. With 453 pupils on roll against a capacity of 480, the school is nearly full and clearly popular with local families.

Cheddar Grove is a state primary for mixed genders aged 3 to 11, with nursery provision on site. It was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, receiving 118 applications for 55 places, with all 55 first-preference applicants offered a spot — a ratio of 2.15 applicants per place. The school offers a broad range of facilities including a library, playing fields, music rooms, a gymnasium, sports hall, sensory room and even a chapel. Sports on offer include rounders, netball, tennis, football and gymnastics, while clubs cover drama, choir, art and eco club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social emotional and mental health needs, speech language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. With 17% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a reasonably diverse intake. This is a well-regarded local option for families who want strong pastoral care and personal development alongside solid academic results, particularly in the early years.

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