All Saints CofE VC Infants School Review 2026: Small infant school with nursery provision in Dulverton

Because All Saints CofE VC Infants School is an infant school (up to age 7), it does not sit the Key Stage 2 assessments that drive most “primary school results” comparisons. In the current results, there are no published Key Stage 2 performance measures or England ranking positions for this school. That does not indicate weak performance, it indicates that the usual Year 6 benchmarks are not applicable here.

A better way to judge academic direction for an infant school is to look at the substance of early reading, early mathematics, and how well the curriculum is implemented day to day. In that respect, the school publishes specific programmes and teaching approaches, which is often more helpful to parents than generic claims.

Early reading is a clear, named priority. The school states that it uses Read Write Inc. for phonics and early reading, with regular assessment and grouping so pupils work at an appropriate stage, and structured routines for decoding, comprehension discussion, and early writing. The practical implication is consistency. Children benefit when phonics routines are predictable and rehearsed daily, particularly those who need repetition to stick with blending and early spelling.

In mathematics, the school describes using the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) mastery approach for early maths. The useful parent takeaway here is the focus on depth of understanding, not rushing through content. In infant years, that typically shows up as careful sequencing, concrete resources, and plenty of time on number relationships before formal methods.

Religious education is also clearly defined. The school states it follows Jigsaw RE, covering Somerset’s Awareness Mystery and Value syllabus alongside Understanding Christianity, with the right to withdraw set out for parents. For families who value a clear Church of England character without it overwhelming the broader curriculum, this level of transparency is helpful.

The most recent inspection also highlighted an implementation challenge that parents should understand in plain terms. It raised concerns about how consistently the curriculum was being checked and assessed across subjects, and how quickly misconceptions were being identified and addressed. The implication is that, for some pupils, gaps can persist longer than they should unless assessment and subject oversight are tightened.

As an infant school, the main “destination” question is the move at the end of Year 2. Dulverton is unusual in that the infant and junior schools are distinct, and the locality has a named junior school nearby. For most families, the practical planning point is to understand the Year 3 transfer route early, including any local authority processes, transition arrangements, and whether wraparound care continues seamlessly after the move.

For pupils who start in nursery, parents will also want clarity on progression into Reception. Many infant schools treat nursery as part of the early years journey rather than a guaranteed pipeline, so families should check how places are allocated and what the transition looks like in practice.

Reception entry is coordinated by Somerset local authority. For September 2026 entry, Somerset’s published primary admissions guidance states the closing date is 15 January 2026, with outcome notifications on 16 April 2026, and a deadline of 2 February 2026 for exceptional circumstances and supplementary information.

Demand data in the current results is small-number, but still informative. For the most recent recorded cycle there were 10 applications for 8 offers for the main entry route, with the school described as oversubscribed. The implication is that even in a small school, year-to-year cohorts can be tight, so families should not assume there will always be spare places.

For parents trying to shortlist realistically, FindMySchool’s Map Search is useful here, not because distance guarantees a place, but because it helps families check the practicalities of daily travel, especially with nursery-aged children and infant pick-up times.

In an infant setting, pastoral care is mostly about routines, relationships, and early identification of need. The school’s leadership structure explicitly links the Head of School role with safeguarding leadership, and the wider federation publishes safeguarding documentation centrally as well as at school level. That federation set-up can support consistency in training and policy across linked schools, which is often reassuring for parents.

Ofsted also described the school as friendly and inclusive, with positive relationships between adults and pupils, and pupils knowing who to speak to if they have concerns, which matters at this age because confidence to speak up is a safeguarding strength in itself.

For infant schools, extracurricular is often less about niche clubs and more about practical wraparound care plus occasional enrichment. All Saints publishes both.

Wraparound provision is set out clearly. Breakfast Club is available from 8.00am on weekdays, priced at £4 per session, and an Afterschool Club runs from 3.30pm to 5.30pm, priced at £7 per session, with payment handled via ParentPay. The implication is that working families have predictable childcare options built around the school day, rather than relying entirely on informal arrangements.

For wider enrichment, the federation emphasises outdoor learning approaches and named projects such as Generation Exmoor and Farm School, as well as Forest School style experiences. Even when these are delivered differently across individual schools, the practical benefit for young children is obvious, more time learning through doing, language-rich experiences outside, and purposeful physical play that supports attention and self-regulation back in class.

The school publishes the core day clearly: doors open at 8.45am, the register closes at 8.50am, and the school day ends at 3.20pm, with the weekly total stated as 32.5 hours. Breakfast club and wraparound care are presented as available, with an internal link to the clubs page for details.

This is a state school, so there are no tuition fees. Families should still plan for the usual associated costs, uniform, trips, and optional clubs.

• Requires Improvement judgement. The latest inspection rated the school Requires Improvement across the judgement areas, including early years. Parents should read the report carefully and use a visit to test how the school has responded, especially around assessment and curriculum checks.

• Small cohorts can cut both ways. A small school can feel personal and stable, but it can also mean fewer “spare” places in some years. If you are applying for a specific entry point, make sure you understand the local authority process and timelines.

• Transition planning matters. Because the school ends at Year 2, families should think ahead to the Year 3 move, including wraparound care continuity and transport routines.

• Faith character is real. Daily collective worship and a defined religious education approach suit many families, but those wanting a wholly secular experience should explore alternatives.

All Saints CofE VC Infants School is a small infant school with nursery provision, clear early reading and maths programmes, and practical wraparound care that supports working families. The inspection picture is currently a challenge, with the most recent Ofsted report rating Requires Improvement and pointing to weaknesses in how curriculum implementation and assessment are checked.

Who it suits: families in and around Dulverton who want an infant school environment, value a Church of England character, and are willing to look closely at the school’s improvement work and leadership response before committing.