SchoolScoresFairlands Middle School
Academy · Secondary, ages 9 to 13 · Mixed
Part of WESSEX LEARNING TRUST
Masons Way, Cheddar, BS27 3PG
01934 743186 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 24 September 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
70 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Somerset comparisons use the 22 of its 36 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 14 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 5th highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 78% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 9th highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 49% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 80% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 13th highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 32% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 72% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 39 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 4th highest of 20 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 69% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 56% | 48% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 58 parents who had raised a concern 12th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 40% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 67% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 20 parents of children with SEND 8th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 14% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 40% | 50% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 9th highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 58% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83%said yes | 76% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 17%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Somerset figures pool parents at the Somerset schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
104 pupils in this year group.
54% — 3 points below the Somerset average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 54% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 8% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 74% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 72% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 65% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 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 secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 30th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 19% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.1% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 35th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 4% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.5% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 17th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 65% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.8% | 15.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 18th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.1% | 9.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 81% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.4% | 9.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 81% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 24.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 93% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.2 | 38.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 92% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.7% | 9.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 10th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 78% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.2 | 17.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 9th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 66% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.5 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 9th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 80% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 19.8% | 14.2%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary 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; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- The Kings of Wessex Academy 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Fairlands Middle School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 24 September 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
Would parents recommend Fairlands Middle School?
83% of the 70 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Fairlands Middle School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 147825.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- 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.