Athelney Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 June 2026

Pupils arrive at school very keen and enthusiastic to start their day. They love their school. As one pupil put it, it’s ‘simply perfect'. Staff care deeply about pupils and welcome them warmly. Pupils feel safe and cared for and that they really belong at Athelney. The day starts calmly. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are given time and space to settle into learning. The learning environments are spacious and enhance the broader curriculum on offer, with gardens, play areas and science-focused areas that entice pupils to learn. Pupils behave well in and around the school and have positive attitudes to learning. They are polite and welcoming, and have a great sense of fun. Pupils are rightly confident that any bullying is sorted out quickly and effectively. Pupils, including those who face additional barriers to their learning, learn a broad, rich and interesting curriculum where reading is a given the highest priority. Pupils leaving the school at the end of key stage 2 have not achieved well in the past. Although current pupils' achievement is improving, it is sometimes hampered by levels of attendance that are not high enough. Although rates of attendance are rising, too many pupils still miss too many days of school. Most parents and carers speak highly of the school. Some say the school has changed their children's lives for the better.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to embed the strategies which have led to recent successes in improving attendance, so that attendance continues to improve and is sustained over time.
• Leaders should continue to raise pupils' achievement further, so that it is reflected in the outcomes of national tests, by further strengthening how pupils' misconceptions or gaps in learning are addressed swiftly and fully.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)