North Curry CofE Primary School Review 2026, a village primary with strong outcomes and an ambitious curriculum

A smaller Somerset primary can sometimes mean limited breadth. That is not the trade-off here. North Curry CofE Primary School runs mixed-age classes from nursery through to Year 6, but keeps expectations high and the curriculum carefully sequenced so pupils build knowledge step by step. It also sits within a wider trust structure, which matters for staffing, training, and consistency.

The most recent inspection (21 to 22 January 2025) reported Good judgements across quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.

Academically, the school’s 2024 Key Stage 2 outcomes are a clear strength. In combined reading, writing and mathematics, 82% reached the expected standard compared with 62% across England.

North Curry’s identity is anchored in three overlapping strands, a Church of England foundation, a deliberately inclusive village-school feel, and a modern “team effort” ethos that shows up in how older pupils support younger ones. The 2025 inspection describes a calm, orderly environment where pupils are role models for each other, including sharing books together at lunchtimes.

Mixed-age teaching shapes day-to-day life. Classes are organised in bands (for example, a Year 1 to 2 class and a Year 2 to 4 class), and this influences everything from curriculum planning to how children learn independence. The benefit is continuity and a strong sense that pupils belong to a small cohort where everyone is known. The potential challenge, sometimes, is curriculum coverage. Here, the school’s approach is to map what knowledge pupils should secure and when, then identify gaps that can arise in mixed-age cycles and actively plug them.

As a faith school, collective worship and Christian values sit naturally within the rhythm of the day. The school’s SIAMS inspection (March 2022) graded its distinctive Christian vision and collective worship as Good, which is useful context for families who want faith to be present, but not overbearing.

Nursery provision, how it changes the feel

North Curry includes Little Herons Nursery, and it is more than a bolt-on. A major refurbishment and a new nursery opening were marked in September 2024, following a £100,000 investment in indoor and outdoor spaces.

For families, this matters in two ways. First, it can create a genuinely joined-up early years pathway. Second, it increases the “all-through” feel on site, with younger children using outdoor areas such as the sensory garden, adventure playground, playing fields, and forest school area (as described in the nursery materials).

This is a state primary, so the most meaningful published outcome set for many parents is Key Stage 2 performance at the end of Year 6.

Where the school sits in England and locally

North Curry ranks 2,469th in England for primary outcomes and 3rd locally (Taunton) in the FindMySchool ranking, which is a proprietary ordering built from official attainment data. In plain English, that places it above the England average, within the top 25% of schools in England (10th to 25th percentile).

Key Stage 2 attainment, the headlines

In 2024:

• 82% reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with 62% across England.

• Reading scaled score was 108.

• Mathematics scaled score was 107.

• Grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) scaled score was 108.

• Science expected standard was 88%, compared with 82% across England.

The “higher standard” style measure is also notable. Around 31% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with 8% across England. That gap suggests the school is not only getting most pupils over the expected threshold, but also stretching a meaningful proportion into deeper attainment.

Taken together, these numbers point to consistently strong core outcomes. For parents, the implication is practical. Pupils typically move into Key Stage 3 with secure literacy and numeracy, which reduces the risk of catch-up needs later and can make transition to secondary smoother.

Curriculum design is a stated priority, and the 2025 inspection describes an ambitious curriculum with careful attention to the small steps pupils need to know and remember, particularly in mathematics.

The operating reality is mixed-age teaching, and North Curry’s response is collaborative planning. Teachers work together to make sure pupils revisit prior learning and build knowledge coherently over time. The inspection also flags a development point, in some wider subjects the school had not yet identified the important knowledge with enough precision. That is a common “next step” issue when schools strengthen curriculum sequencing, and it is useful for parents to ask about, especially if your child is highly curious about foundation subjects such as history and geography.

Early years and phonics

Early years provision is judged Good in the latest inspection.

For families using Little Herons, the nursery documentation emphasises a key person approach and regular settling-in, plus frequent outdoor access.

For a village primary, the “next step” question is as much about logistics as it is about academic readiness.

Most pupils typically move into secondary schools serving the Taunton area, using Somerset’s coordinated admissions process for Year 7. The practical implication is that travel time becomes part of daily life for many families, whether that is by bus routes or car journeys into town.

For pupils who are academically confident, the Key Stage 2 profile suggests they should be well placed for the demands of secondary English and mathematics from the outset. Parents who are considering selective routes or independent options for Year 7 should treat Key Stage 2 outcomes as one indicator, but still look closely at the child’s temperament and appetite for change, especially if they have thrived in a smaller mixed-age environment.

This is a state school, so there are no tuition fees. Admissions for Reception are coordinated by Somerset Council rather than handled privately by the school.

Demand, what the numbers suggest

For the most recent admissions snapshot provided, 38 applications resulted in 22 offers for the entry route measured, a ratio of 1.73 applications per place. That indicates oversubscription rather than spare capacity. The implication is straightforward, if North Curry is a priority, families should treat the application timeline as non-negotiable and make sure preferences are strategically ordered.

Dates and deadlines for September 2026 entry

Somerset’s published guidance states that the on-time application deadline for starting school in September 2026 was 15 January 2026, with outcomes issued on 16 April 2026. As today is 27 January 2026, that deadline has passed, and late applications are handled as late under Somerset’s process.

For future years, the same national pattern usually applies. Families should still confirm dates each autumn, as published windows can vary by local authority process updates.

A practical tip, especially in a village where streets can sit close to the school, is to use the FindMySchool Map Search to check distances and walking routes, then sanity-check the plan against oversubscription risk.

Nursery entry

Little Herons Nursery is presented as open to children beyond those who intend to start Reception at North Curry. The Somerset childcare listing describes its funded-hours registrations, and the nursery materials set out its settling-in and key person approach. Nursery fees and session pricing can change, so it is best to rely on the nursery’s current published information rather than second-hand figures.

Pastoral systems are unusually visible for a small primary. The staff list identifies an ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) role alongside senior mental health leadership, which suggests structured support rather than purely informal help.

Safeguarding is treated as a baseline, and the latest inspection confirms that safeguarding arrangements are effective.

For children who need routine and predictability, the published school-day structure is also a quiet strength. Clear blocks for mathematics, phonics and reading skills, literacy, collective worship, and afternoon theme sessions create a day that is consistent and easy for children to understand.

A small school can still run a properly specific clubs programme, and North Curry is unusually concrete about what is on offer.

Examples from the published clubs lists include:

• Scratch and Coding Club

• Games, Films and Lego Club

• Multiskills

• Creative Club

• Football

• Year 6 booster provision such as Maths SATs Booster Breakfast Club and a SPaG booster club

Clubs typically run to 4.15pm, which is helpful for working families who want structured enrichment before wraparound care begins.

The wider “pupil leadership” picture is another distinguishing feature. The 2025 inspection references roles including “worship warriors” and a rights, eco and wellbeing team that runs weekly initiatives such as Waste Free Wednesdays. This is more distinctive than a generic school council model and will suit children who like responsibility and visible roles.

The school day runs from 8.40am to 3.15pm, with registration at 8.45am. Collective worship sits in the early afternoon.

Wraparound care (Heron Club) operates before school from 7.30am to 8.30am, and after school with sessions running up to 6.00pm on most weekdays. Published session pricing is available, and there are Friday limitations for late sessions, so families relying on end-of-week childcare should check availability early.

Transport is typical for a village setting. Many families will find walking and short car journeys are the default, with school-run routines encouraging safe drop-off patterns rather than heavy on-site parking.

• Recent inspection context. The latest inspection (January 2025) reports a fully Good profile across key areas. Families who previously assumed an Outstanding label from earlier eras should read the newer report to understand what is praised and what still needs tightening, particularly in the precision of curriculum knowledge in some wider subjects.

• Oversubscription reality. With more applications than offers in the admissions snapshot available, this is not a “decide in August” sort of school. If it is your first preference, treat the council deadline as essential.

• Mixed-age classes are not for every child. Many pupils thrive with older role models and a small-school feel, but some children prefer strictly single-year peer groups. Ask how grouping works for your child’s year and how stretch and support are managed within each class.

• Nursery pathway needs clarity. Little Herons is open to families beyond those planning Reception at North Curry. If you are hoping nursery attendance leads naturally into the main school, ask what that looks like in practice, as admissions are still governed by the local authority process.

North Curry CofE Primary School combines small-school familiarity with outcomes that compare strongly across England. It suits families who value calm routines, visible pupil leadership, and a Church of England ethos that sits within everyday school life rather than feeling separate. The main constraint is entry, oversubscription means you need to be organised, realistic, and deadline-driven.