Bowlish Infant School
Bowlish, Wells Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5JQOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Bowlish Infant School is a primary school in Shepton Mallet for ages 4 to 7. It is one of the 301 schools in Somerset. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2012.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 7 November 2012, report published 23 November 2012
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 27 April 2022
This is a friendly and welcoming school where staff and pupils know one another well. Pupils feel safe and happy because they are taught to be kind to one another. They are keen to learn and keep going with work even if they find it challenging. Their enthusiasm for the school makes it a vibrant place to be. Pupils behave well. They learn how to follow the 'golden rules' and are often reminded of these. Kindness is a key value of the school and is clear in the way the pupils work and play together. Some older pupils are 'kindness ambassadors'. They take special responsibility for noticing and celebrating the kindness of others. Pupils and children in Reception cooperate well and enjoy the many activities they do at playtimes. Bullying is very rare. Children and parents agree that staff deal with it well when it does happen and so it does not continue. Reception Year staff help children to develop independence and to learn basic skills. This means that children are ready to start key stage 1. There are high expectations for all pupils. Staff know what learning is essential for future progress.
What the school should improve
- Teachers do not always identify gaps in pupils' knowledge quickly enough. This means that some children fall behind their peers. Leaders need to ensure that gaps in learning are identified promptly so that children can receive the help they need and catch up quickly.
Pupil numbers and mix
114 pupils on roll, with places for 117
Schools near Bowlish Infant School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shepton Mallet Community Infants' School & Nursery | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| St Paul's Church of England VC Junior School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 56% met the expected standard |
| Croscombe Church of England Primary School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Not published |
| St Aldhelms Church School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 64% met the expected standard |
| Oakhill Church School | 3 miles | Report card: Needs attention to strong standard | 53% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 7
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Miss Rebecca Eldred
- Phone
- 01749342514
- Address
- Bowlish, Wells Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5JQ
- Local authority
- Somerset
- URN
- 123672
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.