Chew Magna Primary School

About Chew Magna Primary School

Chew Magna Primary School is a small state primary in Bath and North East Somerset that clearly commands strong local loyalty. For entry in 2025/26, the school received 35 applications for just 11 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.18, meaning more than three families applied for every spot. Nine of those applications were first-preference choices, and nine first-preference offers were made, suggesting that almost every family who put it top got in, but that competition for those places is fierce. The school has a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has held across both its most recent inspections, including the graded inspection in September 2023. With just 95 pupils on roll against a capacity of 105, it is operating near full, and the headteacher is Annie Spencer. The school does not have a nursery or sixth form, and it is non-denominational in religious character.

Academically, Chew Magna’s Key Stage 2 results for 2023/24 show a mixed picture. In reading, 93% of pupils met the expected standard and the average score was 107, both strong figures. In maths, 71% met the expected standard with an average score of 104. However, only 57% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is below the local authority average of 62%. This places the school 36th out of 63 primary schools in Bath and North East Somerset, and in the bottom half nationally for this combined measure. No pupils achieved the higher standard in the combined measure, and the school’s progress scores are not available. In writing, 71% met the expected standard and none reached the higher standard. The school’s ranking within the local authority is 37th out of 52 schools when measured by the percentage of pupils achieving the expected standard in all three subjects.

The school offers a range of facilities including music rooms, a forest school, a sensory room, an ICT suite and a chapel. Sports provision includes swimming, rounders, netball and gymnastics, and there is a good selection of clubs such as choir, chess, film club, drama and art club. For children with additional needs, Chew Magna lists SEND provisions covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, physical disability, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties. The school is oversubscribed and small, so it will suit families who value a close-knit, village-school feel and are prepared to apply early. The low proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals (4.2%) suggests a relatively affluent intake. Parents who prioritise strong reading outcomes and a broad range of extracurricular activities may find it a good fit, though those focused on combined academic scores at KS2 may want to compare with higher-ranked local options like Freshford Church School or St Julian’s Church School.

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