Fairlands Middle School
About Fairlands Middle School
Fairlands Middle School sits within Somerset local authority as a state secondary for pupils aged 9 to 13, a middle-school model that bridges primary and upper secondary years. Among the 38 same-type schools in the county, the top-performing peers by ranking score are The Kings of Wessex Academy, Brymore Academy, and Sexey's School, though Fairlands holds its own with a Good Ofsted rating confirmed in its most recent graded inspection in September 2024. The school is led by headteacher Rebecca Bennett and serves 411 pupils against a capacity of 508, meaning there is some room for growth. Its religious character is listed as not applicable, and it operates as a mixed, non-boarding state school. With 15.6 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school reflects a broadly typical Somerset intake. The Ofsted report noted Good across all graded areas, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, though the overall effectiveness was not judged in this inspection.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 70 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 Sept 2024From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.
Source: Ofsted, 22 Oct 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Fairlands Middle School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications