Christ Church Church of England Controlled Primary School, Bradford-on-Avon Review 2026

This is a larger-than-average primary in Bradford-on-Avon with a long local history and a clear focus on steady routines, strong reading, and an ambitious curriculum. The current headteacher, Mrs Sue Tudge, has been in post since January 2023, a stabilising point after a period of leadership change.

Academic performance is a standout. In 2024, 84% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the England average of 62%. The school’s higher standard figure is also notably strong. Admissions are competitive for Reception, with 102 applications for 60 offers in the latest data provided. Open days are published for September 2026 starters, which helps families plan early.

A calm, structured feel comes through strongly in the most recent official reporting. Pupils are described as happy and proud of their school, with shared values that pupils can explain and use in day-to-day life. Behaviour is generally managed well, with sensible movement around school and clear expectations, including in the early years.

There is also a practical realism here. A small number of parents have raised concerns about behaviour, and the school response is not to dismiss that, it is to put support in place for pupils who find self-regulation difficult. That kind of approach tends to suit families who want clear boundaries alongside pastoral support rather than a one-size-fits-all behaviour model.

The setting matters to the school’s identity. In the middle of the grounds sits the Christ Church beech tree, presented as a symbolic centrepiece, and outdoor learning is positioned as a meaningful part of school life rather than an occasional add-on. Forest School activity is explicitly referenced as using the school’s grounds to build confidence and self-esteem through hands-on experiences.

As a Church of England controlled school, Christian ethos is part of the fabric, but families should expect it to be inclusive in tone. The school is linked to the Diocese of Salisbury, and church connections show up in regular school life and community relationships.

The data points to performance comfortably above England averages.

In 2024, 84% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 31.33% achieved the higher benchmark in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with an England average of 8%. Reading and mathematics scaled scores are also strong, with reading at 109 and maths at 105.

Rankings reinforce that picture. Ranked 2,786th in England and 1st in Bradford-on-Avon for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), the school sits above England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England.

What this means in practice is that the school appears to convert its curriculum into secure basics, especially in reading, and into confident higher-attaining performance for a meaningful minority of pupils. For parents comparing options locally, the FindMySchool Local Hub and Comparison Tool can be useful for viewing these measures side-by-side with nearby primaries.

A consistent thread is the emphasis on reading as a foundational skill, paired with curriculum planning that is designed to build knowledge over time.

Children start learning to read as soon as they begin school, and staff are described as spotting quickly when pupils start to fall behind and putting targeted help in place so pupils catch up. As pupils move through the school, reading fluency and expression develop steadily. This is backed up by enrichment that makes reading feel like a social activity, not just a classroom task, including author visits and an organised book club offer.

Beyond reading, teaching is described as using subject knowledge well. Music is given as an example where modelling and vocabulary are taught clearly, with pupils using specialist terms such as ostinato while describing compositions on the glockenspiel. Mathematics teaching includes regular retrieval, including “flashbacks” that check what pupils remember and help teachers address misconceptions before pupils move on to harder material.

The main developmental area is also clearly signposted. In some subjects, checking what pupils know and remember is not consistently strong, which can make it harder for pupils to build knowledge securely over time. Another improvement point is adaptation for some pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, where learning is not always adjusted well enough. Families with children who need consistent scaffolding should ask specific questions about how teachers adapt tasks across subjects, not only in English and maths.

As a primary school, the key transition is to secondary education at age 11.

The school’s published information indicates a close relationship with the local secondary, St Laurence School, and states that the vast majority of pupils transfer there at age 11. That is useful context for parents who want continuity of peer group and a straightforward local transition.

Practical planning matters too. The school website highlights that secondary applications for children leaving in July 2026 open on 1 September 2025 and close on 31 October 2025. Even if families are not set on one destination, meeting the coordinated admissions deadline is crucial for keeping options open.

Reception entry is coordinated through the local authority, with the school’s admissions page clearly signposting the process and timeline.

For September 2026 starters, the application window is published as opening on 1 September 2025, with a closing date of 15 January 2026. This clarity is helpful because it encourages early decision-making rather than last-minute scrambling.

Demand is real. The most recent data provided shows 102 applications for 60 offers at the main entry point, with an oversubscribed status and a subscription proportion of 1.7 applications per place. The ratio of first preferences to offers is 1.07, which usually indicates that a large share of applicants placed the school as a top choice.

Open days are also published specifically for September 2026 starters, including dates in September, October and November. Booking is required.

Because distance offered data is not available here, families who are weighing catchment risk should treat any “likely” outcome cautiously. If you are trying to shortlist on geography, FindMySchool’s Map Search is a practical way to understand your real-world distance to the school and compare that against any newly published local authority allocation data.

The school’s approach to wellbeing reads as structured and relational, with systems that encourage pupils to speak up and adults who are expected to listen.

One concrete example is the use of “post boxes” that pupils can use when they want to share worries or concerns. That kind of mechanism tends to work well for children who find it easier to write something down than to speak in front of peers.

Attendance is monitored closely and the school is described as working with families to promote regular attendance. Safeguarding arrangements are reported as effective, which is a baseline expectation but still an important reassurance for parents.

A school’s wider offer is often where parents see whether a setting will fit their child’s personality, not just their attainment level.

A strength here is the mix of creative, practical and responsibility-based opportunities. Pottery and crochet are specifically referenced, alongside football, which suggests a programme that is not limited to the usual sports-and-performance staples. Pupils are also encouraged to take on roles in the eco council and the school improvement council, which builds early leadership habits and gives pupils a sense that they can shape their environment.

Reading culture is not confined to lesson time. The school runs a book club offer, and the reading page describes a Thursday after-school club led by Mr Douglass, with pupils discussing chosen texts together. This kind of routine can be especially positive for children who enjoy ideas, debate, and shared discussion but are less drawn to competitive sport.

Outdoor provision is another distinctive pillar. Alongside Forest School activity, the school participates in the OPAL Primary Programme, described as a mentor-supported improvement programme aimed at strengthening the quality of play opportunities. For many primary-aged children, better play translates into better social skills, better resilience, and smoother afternoons in the classroom.

The school publishes clear timings for the school day. Gates open at 8:40am, lessons begin at 8:50am, and the school day ends at 3:20pm, with a total of 32.5 hours per week.

Wraparound care is available via an on-site provider, with a morning club starting from 7:30am and after-school care offered until 5:45pm on most weekdays (earlier finish on Fridays). Holiday provision is also offered on the school premises.

For travel, the school sits within Bradford-on-Avon and many families will find walking and cycling realistic depending on address. Parking pressure at drop-off is common around popular primaries, so families should ask about recommended approaches and any staggered routines when they visit.

• Competition for Reception places. With 102 applications for 60 offers in the most recent data, demand outstrips supply. Families should plan early, attend an open day, and avoid leaving the application to the final week.

• Curriculum consistency is still being embedded. Some subjects need stronger checks on what pupils know and remember before moving on; this matters most for pupils who need repetition and retrieval to retain learning.

• SEND adaptation may vary by subject. The curriculum is designed for pupils with SEND to learn alongside peers, but adaptation is not always consistently strong across subjects. Parents of children who need reliable scaffolding should probe how support works day-to-day, not only what is written in policy.

• Faith character is real. As a Church of England school linked to the Diocese of Salisbury, Christian ethos will be visible in school life. Families of all faiths and none commonly choose Church schools, but it is still worth checking whether the tone and practice align with your preferences.

Strong results, a coherent reading-led approach, and a well-developed wider offer make this a compelling option for families looking for a high-performing local primary with clear routines and meaningful enrichment. It suits pupils who respond well to structure, enjoy reading, and benefit from a mix of creative clubs and outdoor learning, including OPAL and Forest School activity. The limiting factor is admission, not the experience once a place is secured.