Combe St Nicholas Church of England VA Primary School
Combe St Nicholas, Chard, TA20 3NGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Combe St Nicholas Church of England VA Primary School is a primary school in Chard for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 301 schools in Somerset. It ranks 1st of 6 primary schools in Chard. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2012.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 26 September 2012, report published 18 October 2012
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 21 September 2022
This is a welcoming village school which is at the heart of the community. Parents say their children thrive here. The Christian ethos is an important part of the school's distinctiveness. Pupils enjoy many activities beyond the classroom, such as residential trips, art club, cookery and musical performances. The 'Combe St Nicholas pathway' provides clear and ambitious expectations for every aspect of school life. Pupils understand these and are proud to attend this school. Staff encourage pupils to contribute to the wider life of the school. This includes fundraising for a range of charities. As they move up to the older years, many pupils strive to become a house captain or a buddy for new starters to the school. Pupils feel safe and know whom they can talk to if they have a concern. There is a calm and friendly atmosphere during playtimes. Pupils interact positively with their peers and are respectful towards the adults supervising them. In lessons, most pupils are focused and show a positive attitude to their learning. Bullying is rare. If it does occur, leaders take swift and effective action.
What the school should improve
- In some areas of the curriculum, adults do not always present subject matter clearly enough when recapping prior knowledge or introducing new learning. This leads to some pupils losing focus and not completing work to the best of their ability. Leaders should ensure that all staff deliver clear instructions and model their expectations consistently to pupils so they can learn effectively.
- Not all staff have received full training in the school's adopted phonics programme. This means that some staff do not have all the knowledge to effectively support pupils in the development of their reading. Leaders should ensure that all staff receive full, timely training to support the effective implementation of the school's chosen early reading phonics programme.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
9 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
117 pupils on roll, with places for 120
Schools near Combe St Nicholas Church of England VA Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Redstart Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
| Chard School | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Manor Court Community Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 75% met the expected standard |
| Buckland St Mary Church of England Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 71% met the expected standard |
| Avishayes Community Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 46% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Miss Joanna Rousseau
- Phone
- 0146063116
- Address
- Combe St Nicholas, Chard, TA20 3NG
- Local authority
- Somerset
- URN
- 123828
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.