Thurlbear Church of England Primary School
97%
Capacity
203
Pupils
2.2x
Demand
About Thurlbear Church of England Primary School
Thurlbear Church of England Primary School is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Somerset community, welcoming children from age 5 to 11. The school has 203 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (97% of 210 places).
Ofsted has rated Thurlbear Church of England Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Steve Gillan, it falls under Somerset local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 72% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, ranked 3567th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 32nd out of 134 in Somerset.
Thurlbear Church of England Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 65 applications for 29 places, making it 2.2x oversubscribed. Of these, 38 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 4 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 1 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Thurlbear Church of England Primary School include ICT Suite, Dining Hall, Art Studios, Music Rooms, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Netball, Gymnastics, Football, Dance and 2 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Choir, Gardening, Coding and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 6.9%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Somerset, Thurlbear Church of England Primary School is one of the options available in the South West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 5 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Thurlbear, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 5BW |
| Headteacher | Steve Gillan |
| Local Authority | Somerset |
| Number of Pupils | 203 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 6.9% |
| School Capacity | 203 / 210 (97% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 May 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (2 May 2024): School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next
Source: Ofsted, 19 Dec 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (72%)
3567th of 13,686
Nationally
307th of 1,469
In South West
32nd of 134
In Somerset
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
72%
Expected Standard
7%
Higher Standard
'22/23
73%
'23/24
72%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed29
65
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
38 families put this school as their 1st choice (58% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thurlbear Church of England 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
Thurlbear, Taunton
Somerset, TA3 5BW
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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