Bowerhill Primary School
Halifax Road, Melksham, SN12 6YHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Bowerhill Primary School is a primary school in Melksham for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 262 schools in Wiltshire. It ranks 3rd of 8 primary schools in Melksham. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 11 June 2024, report published 7 July 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 11 June 2024
Pupils are proud to attend Bowerhill Primary. They feel safe due to the strong relationships they have with staff. Pupils are keen to take on roles of responsibility such as eco-councillors and school ambassadors. These help them understand the meaning of democracy and respect. Staff expect pupils to work hard, and they do. In lessons, most pupils settle down to learning promptly. They focus well and willingly offer their views and ideas. Around the school, pupils are well mannered and courteous to each other and adults. Pupils are confident that they can rely on adults to resolve any worries or concerns they have. Staff use the school's values expertly to guide pupils to make the right choices and shape their character. For example, pupils show 'responsibility' by raising money for charity and 'respect' by treating everyone fairly. This makes for an inclusive and kind school community. Beyond the classroom, pupils enjoy an impressive range of experiences that complement their learning. These include taking part in clubs, visiting places of worship and trips to culturally diverse places such as London. Older pupils spoke with delight about how they act as 'buddies' to younger children. They set about this role with great maturity.
What the school should improve
- In some of the more recently developed subjects, pupils' recall of knowledge is less secure. This means that pupils do not have a deep body of knowledge in these subjects. The trust and school should ensure that the curriculum is fully embedded in all subjects so pupils can build and retain their knowledge over time.
- The implementation of the school's agreed teaching strategies is not consistently applied in some subjects. This does not help pupils practise the knowledge they need and slows their learning. The trust and school should continue to develop staff's understanding of the agreed teaching methods to maximise pupils' learning across all subjects.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
60 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
378 pupils on roll, with places for 420
Schools near Bowerhill Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aloeric Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 42% met the expected standard |
| Forest and Sandridge Church of England Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | 77% met the expected standard |
| The Manor CofE VC Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted judgements: Good | 48% met the expected standard |
| River Mead School | 1 mile | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 38% met the expected standard |
| St George's Church of England Primary School, Semington | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 100% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- THE WHITE HORSE FEDERATION
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Christopher Light
- Phone
- 01225700964
- Address
- Halifax Road, Melksham, SN12 6YH
- Local authority
- Wiltshire
- URN
- 146343
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.