Mells Church First School

About Mells Church First School

Mells Church First School is a small primary in Somerset that parents clearly want to get into. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 34 applications for just 17 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2:1. Fifteen of those applications were first-preference choices, and 15 first-preference offers were made, meaning every family who put it top of their list got a place. That level of demand is a strong signal from local parents, though the school doesn't publish a formal parent satisfaction survey percentage. With just 59 pupils on roll against a capacity of 90, the school is comfortably undersubscribed in terms of total numbers, but the oversubscription for Reception places shows it's a popular choice for families entering at the youngest age. The headteacher is Sally Jefferies, and the school has a Church of England character, which may appeal to families looking for a faith-based setting.

Academically, Mells Church First School holds a Good rating from Ofsted, which it has maintained since its last graded inspection in 2016. The most recent ungraded inspection in 2021 confirmed the school 'remains Good'. In the previous graded inspection back in 2014, the school was rated Requires Improvement overall, so the improvement to Good represents a clear upward trajectory. Ofsted judged leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all as Good in the 2016 inspection. The school serves a relatively affluent intake, with only 8.5% of pupils eligible for free school meals, well below the national average. For Key Stage 2 outcomes, the local authority average for similar schools is 59, but Mells Church First School is a first school covering ages 5 to 9, so it doesn't have published KS2 SATs results in the same way as a standard primary. Parents should check directly with the school for its most recent attainment data.

The school offers a solid range of facilities for its size, including an ICT suite, library, gymnasium, sports hall, sensory room, and a chapel. Outdoor provision includes playing fields and a playground, and sports on offer include tennis, gymnastics, athletics, and swimming. There's a good selection of clubs such as gardening, science club, film club, chess, coding, and book club. For children with additional needs, the school lists support for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, social and emotional mental health needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. With only 59 pupils, class sizes are likely small, which can be a real advantage for families who want a close-knit, village-school feel. The school doesn't have a nursery or sixth form, and it's not a boarding school. It will particularly suit families in the Mells area who want a Church of England first school with strong local demand and a Good Ofsted rating.

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