The Redstart Primary School
102%
Capacity
461
Pupils
1.5x
Demand
About The Redstart Primary School
The Redstart Primary School stands out sharply against the Somerset local authority average for Key Stage 2 outcomes. While the LA average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined sits at 59%, Redstart achieves 78% — a significant 19 percentage points higher. This places the school in the top 25% nationally and 16th out of 219 primary schools in Somerset, comfortably ahead of the county's typical performance. The school is also oversubscribed, with 70 applications for 48 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, and all 48 first-preference applicants received an offer. That level of demand suggests local families recognise the strong academic picture, though it's worth noting the school is running slightly over its official capacity of 452, with 461 pupils currently on roll.
Digging into the detail of the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, Redstart's strengths are consistent across the core subjects. In maths, 92% of pupils reached the expected standard and 38% achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 108. Reading saw 85% at expected and 38% at higher, with an average score of 107. Writing was similarly strong at 85% expected and 25% higher. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in April 2025, confirmed that standards are being maintained following its previous graded inspection in February 2020, when it received a Good rating across all categories including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership. That 2020 inspection marked a change from the school's previous Outstanding rating in 2014, but the current Good judgement is backed by solid, above-average outcomes.
The school offers a broad range of facilities including a library, sports hall, gymnasium, music rooms, sensory room and chapel, plus extensive playing fields and an outdoor playground. Sports provision covers swimming, athletics, netball, cross country, dance, tennis and cricket, while clubs include science, art, coding and book club. For families with children who have additional needs, the school's SEND provisions address specific learning difficulties, speech and language needs, autistic spectrum disorder, and social and emotional mental health support. Parent View responses from 74 families between September 2024 and September 2025 show 76% would recommend the school, with strong majorities agreeing their child is happy and feels safe. However, only 45% agreed that SEND children receive the support they need, and 28% disagreed — a point worth investigating further if your child has an education, health and care plan.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Redstart Road, The Redstart Primary School, Chard, Somerset, TA20 1SD |
| Headteacher | Rebecca Collins |
| Local Authority | Somerset |
| Number of Pupils | 461 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 20.7% |
| School Capacity | 461 / 452 (102% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 Apr 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (2 Apr 2025): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 12 Mar 2020. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (78%)
1977th of 13,686
Nationally
177th of 1,469
In South West
17th of 134
In Somerset
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
78%
Expected Standard
12%
Higher Standard
'22/23
71%
'23/24
78%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
74 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed48
70
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
48 families put this school as their 1st choice (69% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British82.4%
- White (other)8.2%
- Mixed3.1%
- Asian0.6%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
4
Total schools
4
Oversubscribed
3
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Redstart Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Redstart Road, The Redstart Primary School, Chard
Somerset, TA20 1SD
Redstart Road, The Redstart Primary School, Chard
Somerset, TA20 1SD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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