Combe St Nicholas Church of England VA Primary School
Chard, TA20 3NG · Somerset · primary school
Check the area around this school
41st 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.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,194 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.5/10 among them, against 6.2/10 nationally. 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 | 67.0 · 57 | 40% | 2.28 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 11.0 · 71 | 25% | 1.77 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Combe St Nicholas Church of England VA Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 67.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 11.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2022. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.5 out of 10 among them, against 6.2 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 117 pupils against a stated capacity of 120. 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 to reach the higher standard in core subjects? What specific activities are available within the breakfast and after-school clubs? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Combe St Nicholas Church of England VA Primary School
Overview
Combe St Nicholas Church of England VA Primary School continues to be a “good school,” described as a “welcoming village school which is at the heart of the community.” The inspection confirms that pupils thrive within a distinct Christian ethos, benefiting from an “ambitious curriculum” and a culture that prioritises reading and personal development.
Strengths
- Leaders have created an “ambitious curriculum” with a “project-based approach” that is “carefully designed” and “adaptable for mixed-age classes.”
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “well supported” and their needs are met through personalised adaptations.
- Reading is prioritised, with a “consistent phonics scheme” and a “literary canon of recommended reads” that pupils discuss “enthusiastically.”
- The school fosters a “calm and friendly atmosphere” where pupils feel safe, interact positively, and bullying is “rare.”
- Staff report being “well supported by leaders,” with well-being considered when introducing new initiatives.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure all staff deliver “clear instructions” and model expectations consistently, as some pupils lose focus when subject content is not explained clearly enough.
- Leaders must ensure all staff receive “full, timely training” in the school’s adopted phonics programme to effectively support early reading development.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with “robust systems” for safe recruitment and leaders acting quickly to secure support for pupils at risk of harm.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 75% |
| 2023/24 | 100% |
| 2024/25 | 67% |
| 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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