Bishops Lydeard Church School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 2 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Mount Street, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, TA4 3ANOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Bishops Lydeard Church School is a primary school in Taunton for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 301 schools in Somerset. It ranks 19th of 35 primary schools in Taunton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 27 September 2022, report published 9 November 2022

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 27 September 2022

The school's values of 'respect, endurance, friendship' are lived up to by pupils. Pupils celebrate difference. They are adamant that 'everyone is welcome' at their school. Pupils say they feel happy and safe in school. They know the difference between bullying and falling out. Pupils say that if another pupil is unkind, staff help them sort it out. They are confident to share worries with a trusted adult. For example, pupils use the 'what I wish my headteacher knew' post box to ask questions and share their thoughts. Some parents say they would appreciate clearer communication from the school. Leaders are acting to rectify this. During the school day, pupils learn and play well together. Most know how to share, take turns and show each other respect. Some pupils have additional support from adults to understand how to get along with others. This work is successful. Pupils are proud to take on roles of responsibility, such as play leaders and eco- councillors. They are confident to express their own opinions and recognise the importance of listening to others. Pupils value the opportunity to play musical instruments and represent their school at sporting events. Their personal development, talents and interests are nurtured well.

What the school should improve

  • Leaders have not identified the essential knowledge they want pupils to know and remember across some foundation subject curriculums. As a result, teaching does not check on the important concepts that pupils need to learn. Pupils are unable to make connections between concepts that would help them to build on prior learning. Where this occurs, leaders need to identify essential subject content, ensuring assessment is precise, so that pupils know and remember more in the foundation subject curriculums.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

26 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths42%

42%, 20 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths12%

12%, 4 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score105

105, 1 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score101

101, 4 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score106

106, 1 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

196 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals19.9%

19.9%, 6.6 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language5.1%

5.1%, 16.5 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support13.8%

13.8%, 1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2%

2%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Bishops Lydeard Church School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Cotford St Luke Primary School2 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to good44% met the expected standard
Oake, Bradford and Nynehead VC Primary3 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to good40% met the expected standard
Norton Fitzwarren Church School3 milesOfsted: Good53% met the expected standard
Lydeard St Lawrence Community Primary School3 milesOfsted judgements: Good40% met the expected standard
Kingston St Mary Church of England Primary School3 milesReport card: Urgent improvement to expected standard45% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
THE BATH AND WELLS DIOCESAN ACADEMIES TRUST
Age range
2 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Church of England
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mr James Dakin
Address
Mount Street, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, TA4 3AN
Local authority
Somerset
URN
142402

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.