SchoolScoresSt Paul's CofE VC Junior School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Paul Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5LA
01749 343250 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 3 October 2023.
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
75 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Shepton Mallet comparisons use the 3 of its 7 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 4 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 | Shepton Mallet | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shepton Mallet. Higher than 62% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 98% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shepton Mallet. Higher than 59% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 98% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shepton Mallet. Higher than 78% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 96% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 18 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 66 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 94% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 78% | – | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 54 parents who had raised a concern Joint 12th highest of 101 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 86% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | – | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Shepton Mallet. Higher than 77% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97%said yes | 97% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Shepton Mallet figures pool parents at the Shepton Mallet 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
75 pupils in this year group.
56% — about the same as the Somerset average, and 6 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 56% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 7% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 67% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 67% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 65% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 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 primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
This is a Church of England school, but as a voluntary controlled school its admissions are set by the council, which usually doesn't prioritise by faith. Check the council's admissions criteria.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 7 state primary schools in Shepton Mallet. Higher than 60% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 26.7% | 20.9%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 7 state primary schools in Shepton Mallet. Higher than 72% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 7 state primary schools in Shepton Mallet. Higher than 61% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.9% | 12.8%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 7 state primary schools in Shepton Mallet. Higher than 66% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.7% | 12.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 7 state primary schools in Shepton Mallet. Lower than 34% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.6% | 5.4%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 7 state primary schools in Shepton Mallet. Lower than 30% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 15.5% | 12.7%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 7 state primary schools in Shepton Mallet. Lower than 10% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 7.1 | 3.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 7 state primary schools in Shepton Mallet. Lower than 6% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 4.0% | 1.5% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 7 state primary schools in Shepton Mallet. Higher than 70% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.3 | 21.3 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 7 state primary schools in Shepton Mallet. Higher than 30% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.6 | 10.0 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 5 state primary schools in Shepton Mallet. Higher than 62% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 16.1% | 15.7%* | 14.4%* |
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; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Shepton Mallet Community Infants' School and Nursery 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024
- Bowlish Infant School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022
- St Aldhelms Church School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2021, before conversion) · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Croscombe CofE Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion)
- Oakhill Church School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 4 expected, 1 needs attention · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Paul's CofE VC Junior School's Ofsted rating?
St Paul's CofE VC Junior School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 3 October 2023.
How did St Paul's CofE VC Junior School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 56% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 6 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend St Paul's CofE VC Junior School?
97% of the 75 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend St Paul's CofE VC Junior 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 123783.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.