SchoolScoresCombe St Nicholas CofE VA Primary School
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Combe St Nicholas, Chard, TA20 3NG
0146063116 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 26 September 2012.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 21 September 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
9 pupils in this year group.
Only 9 pupils took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.
67% — 10 points above the Somerset average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 67% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 11% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 67% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 78% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 67% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 103 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Somerset. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 9 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 9 |
| Of those, offered a place | 9 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 21 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 6 state primary schools in Chard. Higher than 20% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.8% | 20.9%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 6 state primary schools in Chard. Higher than 49% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.9% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 6 state primary schools in Chard. Higher than 14% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.8% | 12.8%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 6 state primary schools in Chard. Higher than 28% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.9% | 12.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 6 state primary schools in Chard. Lower than 42% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.3% | 5.4%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 6 state primary schools in Chard. Lower than 56% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 10.7% | 12.7%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 6 state primary schools in Chard. Lower than 16% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 4.9 | 3.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 6 state primary schools in Chard. Lower than 19% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.0% | 1.5% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 6 state primary schools in Chard. Higher than 72% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.5 | 21.3 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 6 state primary schools in Chard. Higher than 53% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.9 | 10.0 | 10.6 |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26.
Nearby primary schools
- The Redstart Primary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Chard School 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Manor Court Community Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2024 · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- Buckland St Mary CofE Primary School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2021, before conversion) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Avishayes Community Primary School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 46% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Combe St Nicholas CofE VA Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Combe St Nicholas CofE VA Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 September 2012. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 21 September 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Combe St Nicholas CofE VA Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 5 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Combe St Nicholas CofE VA Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 9 families put Combe St Nicholas CofE VA Primary School as their first choice for 9 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 9 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 123828.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.