Bishops Lydeard Church School
Taunton, TA4 3AN · Somerset · primary school
Check the area around this school
85th of 156 primary schools in Somerset we can score, 219 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 3.2/10 against 3,042 of them, against 3.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 42.0 · 10 | 40% | 0.38 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 12.0 · 74 | 25% | 1.85 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bishops Lydeard Church School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 42.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. A higher 12.0% achieved the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (3.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2022.
Getting in
The published school roll is 196 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are below the expected standard in literacy? What specific steps are taken to raise attainment in maths? How accessible are the wraparound care provisions for families with varying work schedules?
What Ofsted said about Bishops Lydeard Church School
Overview
Pupils at Bishops Lydeard Church School feel happy and safe, embodying values of ‘respect, endurance, friendship’. The school provides a high-quality education with a ‘clearly sequenced and coherent curriculum’ that supports strong personal development and effective early years provision.
Strengths
- Children in the early years ‘get off to a flying start’ through a carefully sequenced curriculum and high-quality talk and play.
- Phonics teaching is secure, with staff quickly identifying those needing help and using books that ‘match their phonics knowledge accurately’.
- Pupils demonstrate good behaviour, moving around the school in a ‘calm and orderly way’ with staff having ‘consistently high expectations’.
- Leaders work effectively with external services to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, putting ‘appropriate support... in place swiftly’.
- The personal social and health education curriculum helps pupils become ‘responsible, active citizens’ prepared for life in modern Britain.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must identify essential knowledge in some foundation subject curriculums, as current teaching does not always help pupils ‘make connections between concepts’ or retain important content.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders completing necessary checks and staff receiving appropriate training including e-safety.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 78% |
| 2023/24 | 61% |
| 2024/25 | 42% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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