Fairlands Middle School
Masons Way, Cheddar, BS27 3PGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Fairlands Middle School is a middle school in Cheddar for ages 9 to 13. It is one of the 301 schools in Somerset. It ranks 74th of 153 primary schools in Somerset. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in September 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 24 September 2024, report published 22 October 2024
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 24 September 2024
Pupils enjoy attending this school. They are happy, safe and well supported. They have trusted adults they can talk to if they have any worries. Staff act promptly when pupils need help. The school has high aspirations for what all pupils can achieve. The curriculum is suitably ambitious. Historically, pupils have not always secured the best possible outcomes in key stage 2 tests. However, recent changes mean that pupils now know and remember more. Theatre visits, competitions hosted at universities and outdoor education broaden pupils' horizons, giving them access to experiences they might not otherwise have. Visits to local rivers and places of interest support learning and enthuse pupils. Pupils appreciate the raised expectations of behaviour. Most pupils behave well and are keen to learn. At social times they share play equipment and cooperate well with one another. Pupils have many opportunities to develop beyond the academic curriculum. Pupil leaders in sports and languages make a tangible contribution to the life of the school. For instance, Year 8 'buddies' help younger pupils to settle into school. Communications with families are strong. Parents and carers know what their child is learning and how they are getting on at school. They find staff approachable and responsive.
What the school should improve
- Sometimes, teachers' explanations and instructions are not clear enough. As a result, pupils cannot always complete the tasks expected of them, or understand the root of misconception they may have. The school needs to ensure that teaching consistently enables all pupils to learn the curriculum effectively.
- Some pupils' behaviour in lessons does not meet the high expectations that the school has of them. Learning is sometimes interrupted as a result. The school needs to ensure that low-level disruption does not prevent pupils from learning.
- A minority of pupils use discriminatory language, particularly that which is homophobic. This makes their peers uncomfortable. The school needs to strengthen the curriculum further to ensure that this minority of pupils understand and use language that is acceptable in modern Britain.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
104 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
405 pupils on roll, with places for 508
Schools near Fairlands Middle School
| School | Distance | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Cheddar First School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good |
| Draycott & Rodney Stoke Church of England First School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good |
| Axbridge Church of England First School Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| Shipham Church of England First School | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good |
| Weare Academy First School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- WESSEX LEARNING TRUST
- Age range
- 9 to 13
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Rebecca Bennett
- Phone
- 01934743186
- Address
- Masons Way, Cheddar, BS27 3PG
- Local authority
- Somerset
- URN
- 147825
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.