The Mendip School

  • Special
  • Free school
  • Ages 4 to 19
Ofsted: Good

Edmund Rack Road, Prestleigh, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4FZOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Mendip School is a special school in Shepton Mallet for ages 4 to 19. It is one of the 301 schools in Somerset. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2018.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 12 July 2018, report published 14 September 2018

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 October 2023

Pupils follow an ambitious curriculum and achieve well. They receive strong pastoral support from trusted adults. The curriculum is closely tailored to pupils' learning and development needs. Typically, pupils are attentive in lessons and work hard. They take pride in their work. Children in the early years receive very precise teaching across the curriculum. This develops their early communication skills and physical development superbly. The curriculum prepares pupils for their future lives as independent citizens exceptionally well. Older pupils learn to voice their views confidently in discussions about healthy relationships, physical health and ethical dilemmas. Everyone learns how to cook. Many extra-curricular activities build well on pupils' prior knowledge. For example, travelling to London by train enables pupils to apply what they know about reading timetables. Working in the community café develops pupils' confidence, self-esteem and use of money. All pupils experience a residential visit. Camp is a highlight for many. Pupils and staff eat lunch together. This reinforces the importance of maintaining positive behaviours and social interactions brilliantly. Pupils enjoy talking about their day and wider interests. Staff join in with outside games and the 'golden mile'. Pupils value using the outdoor gym equipment, keeping fit, and playing games, such as cricket.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

16 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 62 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Maths, average scaled score84

84, 21 below the England average of 105.

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

11 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score15.4

15.4, 30.7 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths18.2%

18.2%, 27.2 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths27.3%

27.3%, 37.5 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc0%

0%, 40.5 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score0.86

0.86, 3.23 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

151 pupils on roll, with places for 152

Eligible for free school meals37.7%

37.7%, 11.2 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language7.9%

7.9%, 13.7 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support1.3%

1.3%, 13.5 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan98%

98%, 92 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Mendip School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Newbury Manor School8 milesReport card: Needs attention to strong standardNot published
Fosse Way School9 milesReport card: Needs attention to strong standardAttainment 8: 4.2
Marchant Holliday School9 milesOfsted: OutstandingNot published
Critchill Special School9 milesOfsted judgements: Outstanding0% met the expected standard
Wessex Lodge School10 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 3.8

School details

School type
Free schools special
Sector
Free school
Trust
THE PARTNERSHIP TRUST
Age range
4 to 19
Gender
Mixed
Headteacher
Mrs Natalie Hanna
Address
Edmund Rack Road, Prestleigh, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4FZ
Local authority
Somerset
URN
142118

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.