Huish Episcopi Primary School Review 2026: Elite Performance in the Heart of Somerset

At drop-off, the gates reveal a school that feels like the quintessential village primary, yet one that operates with the academic precision of a high-performing academy. Huish Episcopi Primary School serves the Langport community as a single-form entry setting, where a capacity of 210 pupils ensures a tight-knit, familiar atmosphere. While the stone buildings and Somerset backdrop suggest a traditional pace, the 2024 results tell a more ambitious story. The school currently sits in the top 10% of schools in England (national high band), outperforming 94% of primary providers across the country.

Miss Jenny Chadbourne took over as Headteacher in September 2025, succeeding Mrs Tiffany Doughty Davis, who led the school through its successful transition into the Preston Primary Academy Trust in 2021. The school remains a cornerstone of the local community, blending rural warmth with exceptional outcomes. For families in Langport and the surrounding levels, this is a school that consistently punches above its weight, combining a small-school feel with results that rival the most competitive urban primaries.

The atmosphere at Huish Episcopi Primary is defined by its scale. With only one class per year group, pupils move through their educational journey with the same cohort, fostering deep-seated friendships and a strong sense of collective identity. The physical environment is well-maintained, blending functional modern additions with the traditional character of its North Street location.

Since joining the Preston Primary Academy Trust, the school has benefited from increased collaboration, yet it retains a distinctively local energy. The culture here is quiet and purposeful. There is an absence of the frantic energy often found in larger urban schools. Instead, pupils appear settled and confident, benefiting from an environment where every staff member knows every child by name and learning trajectory.

The school's values are not merely decorative but are woven into daily life. Respect and responsibility are key themes, with older pupils encouraged to take on leadership roles and act as mentors to the younger years. This "family" feel is a significant draw for local parents who want their children to remain in a protected, nurturing environment during their formative years without sacrificing academic quality.

The academic data for Huish Episcopi Primary School is, by any metric, exceptional. In 2024, 92% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. To put this in perspective, the England average for the same period was 62%. This puts the school in a different league from many of its regional peers.

Ranked 1st locally in Langport and 904th in England (FindMySchool proprietary ranking), the school sits comfortably within the elite tier of primary education. Performance at the higher standard is particularly striking; 42% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, compared to an England average of just 8%.

The granular scores confirm this strength across the board. In reading, the average scaled score was 108, while grammar, punctuation, and spelling (GPS) reached an impressive 111. Mathematics also saw a scaled score of 108. These figures indicate that the school is not just helping pupils pass; it is pushing a significant portion of the cohort toward genuine mastery of the curriculum.

The curriculum at Huish Episcopi Primary is structured to ensure no child is left behind while providing enough "ceiling" for the most able. Teaching is rigorous, with a clear emphasis on the core disciplines of literacy and numeracy. The 2024 results, where 94% of pupils reached the expected standard in GPS and science, suggest that the teaching of technical and factual content is a particular strength.

The latest Ofsted inspection in April 2025 confirmed that the school continues to maintain high standards. While the school was officially rated Good in 2020, the 2025 ungraded inspection found evidence suggesting the school's work may have improved significantly across all areas since that time. Inspectors described the school as "highly ambitious," noting that pupils achieve "exceptionally well."

Writing is also a highlight, with 41% of pupils achieving greater depth. This suggests a curriculum that moves beyond basic competency to encourage creative and sophisticated expression. Small class sizes, capped at 30, allow for significant individual attention, ensuring that interventions are timely and effective.

The vast majority of pupils transition to Huish Episcopi Academy, located just a short distance away. While the primary school is part of the Preston Primary Academy Trust, it maintains close geographic and social links with the local secondary academy.

The transition is well-managed, with staff from both schools working together to ensure a seamless move into Year 7. For those considering other options, the school provides support for 11 plus applications to Somerset’s selective schools, though the strength of the local secondary option means the majority choose to stay within the local community.

Securing a place at Huish Episcopi Primary is becoming increasingly challenging. For the most recent intake, the school received 42 applications for just 25 offers, representing a subscription proportion of 1.68. This means there are nearly two applications for every available desk, placing the school firmly in the "oversubscribed" category.

As a state academy, admissions are coordinated by Somerset Council. After children with EHCPs and looked-after children, priority is typically given to siblings and those living within the designated catchment area. Parents should be aware that 100% of those who put the school as their first preference were offered a place in the last cycle, suggesting that while competitive, the school is currently able to meet the demand of its core local cohort.

Pastoral care is a natural byproduct of the school’s size. The latest official assessments highlight a culture where pupils feel safe and valued. There is a strong focus on emotional regulation and mental health, with staff trained to identify early signs of struggle.

The school provides a stable environment for pupils with additional needs, with Mrs Claire Monk serving as the SENCo. Because the school is small, there is nowhere for a child to "hide," which in a pastoral sense is a great advantage; changes in mood or behaviour are noticed and addressed rapidly. The Preston Primary Academy Trust also provides additional oversight to ensure safeguarding and wellbeing remain central to the school's mission.

Extracurricular life at Huish Episcopi is surprisingly broad for a school of its size. The school makes excellent use of its Somerset surroundings, with outdoor learning and Forest School activities featuring in the younger years.

STEM & Creative Arts

The school encourages engagement with technology and the sciences, evidenced by the high percentage of pupils hitting expected standards in science (94%). Science is a core strength within the broader STEM curriculum. Music and drama are celebrated through seasonal performances, and the school often participates in local community events in Langport, reinforcing its role as a civic anchor.

Sports clubs run after school, often utilizing the school's hall and outdoor field. These include various activity-based clubs that allow pupils to explore their interests and develop their talents beyond the formal school day.

The school day typically runs from 8:50am to 3:30pm. While the school does not have an on-site nursery, it maintains close links with local pre-school providers to ensure a smooth transition into the Reception class.

Wraparound Care

The school provides its own popular wraparound care known as "Early Birds" and "Busy Bees." Early Birds breakfast club runs from 7:30am until 8:50am, and Busy Bees after-school provision operates from 3:30pm until 6:00pm. Both are housed in the Coronation Room and are staffed by school employees.

Travel

The school is located on North Street, where parking is strictly for staff only. Vehicles using the car park to drop off or collect children risk places being withdrawn for extended school care. Most local families walk to school, which contributes to the community feel at the gates.

• Oversubscribed status: With 1.68 applications per place, the school is popular. Families moving into the area mid-term may find it difficult to secure a place outside of the normal Reception entry cycle.
• Single-form entry: While the small size is a strength for many, it means a very consistent peer group for seven years. Parents should consider if their child would thrive in such a close-knit environment or if they might prefer the social variety of a two or three-form entry school.
• Staff parking only: The school is very strict regarding its parking policy. Parents must park elsewhere and walk to the top gate for drop-off and collection.

Huish Episcopi Primary School is an academic powerhouse disguised as a friendly village school. Its results are among the strongest in Somerset and place it in the top 10% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking). It offers a rare combination: the intimacy and safety of a small school with the rigorous outcomes usually associated with high-pressure urban academies.

It is best suited to local families who want a traditional, community-focused education for their children but refuse to compromise on academic standards. For those who can secure a place, it provides an exceptional foundation for the move to secondary education.