Preston CofE Primary School Review 2026, high-performing Church of England primary in Yeovil

A 150th anniversary is not just a photo opportunity, it is a statement of continuity. Founded in 1875, Preston CofE Primary School now sits as a large, near-capacity primary with a published capacity of 420 pupils and an age range of 4 to 11.

The academic picture is consistently strong. In the most recent published Key Stage 2 outcomes, 94% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, and 43% reached the higher standard, well above the England comparator figures shown alongside these results. (FindMySchool data)

Leadership is settled and visible. Mrs Claire Hodgson has been headteacher since 2019, and the school operates within Preston Primary Academy Trust.

This is a Church of England primary where the faith dimension is explicit, but framed as inclusive rather than narrowly confessional. The school’s Christian vision emphasises high expectations, personal growth, and community contribution, and it describes its learning environment as inclusive and rooted in shared values.

Culture is reinforced through structured pupil roles and a clear sense of responsibility. The most recent inspection material describes pupils as focused, respectful, and proud of their school, with meaningful opportunities for leadership such as wellbeing ambassadors and eco-leaders. That blend of academic ambition and personal development tends to suit pupils who like clear routines and enjoy being trusted with responsibility.

The school also puts its community links to work in a practical way. Examples referenced in official inspection evidence include curriculum-linked visits and local initiatives that help pupils connect classroom learning to real places and purposes. For parents, the implication is straightforward, this is a school that aims to develop capability and character side by side, not as a bolt-on.

For a state primary, the outcomes sit well above what many families will be used to seeing locally and nationally (England). In the FindMySchool dataset, Key Stage 2 performance is particularly strong:

• 94% reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined (England comparator shown: 62%).

• 43% reached the higher standard (England comparator shown: 8%).

• Average scaled scores are high across reading (108), mathematics (110), and grammar, punctuation and spelling (111).

(FindMySchool data)

Rankings reinforce that picture. Preston CofE Primary School is ranked 561st in England and 1st in Yeovil for primary outcomes in the FindMySchool ranking (based on official data), placing it well above the England average and within the top 10% tier nationally (England) for this phase. (FindMySchool data)

The practical implication for families is twofold. First, the school is likely to suit pupils who enjoy learning and respond well to challenge. Second, high attainment often correlates with strong demand, which is relevant when thinking about admissions.

The curriculum is described in official inspection evidence as carefully sequenced, with deliberate choices about the knowledge and skills pupils build over time, and with purposeful links between subjects to support retention. That matters in a primary context, because strong outcomes are rarely the product of last-minute test practice alone.

Reading is treated as foundational. Inspection evidence highlights frequent practice opportunities, careful attention to vocabulary, and early reading books matched to pupils’ developing phonics knowledge, followed by broader reading as pupils move up the school. For families, this usually translates into confident readers by the end of Key Stage 2, which in turn makes the transition to secondary curriculum texts less daunting.

Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is presented as precise and early, with trained staff and targeted planning. In day-to-day terms, that tends to mean needs are identified quickly and support plans are actionable rather than generic.

As a Somerset primary, secondary transfer is coordinated through local authority processes, and most families will be considering a range of Yeovil secondary options depending on address and preference.

What can be evidenced from the school’s own communications is that Year 6 pupils have links with local secondary experience, including a visit to Preston Secondary School for a performance, framed explicitly as a taste of secondary school life and a chance to see former pupils involved in wider school activities.

The wider implication is that transition is treated as a process rather than a single handover moment. For families weighing different secondary paths, it is still sensible to discuss likely destinations directly with the school during a visit, particularly if you are considering transport logistics or have a child who benefits from additional transition support.

Demand is a defining feature here. For the most recent admissions cycle shown the Reception entry route recorded 129 applications for 59 offers, with an overall status of oversubscribed and a subscription ratio of 2.19 applications per place. (FindMySchool data)

For normal round Reception entry, applications are coordinated by Somerset. The school’s admissions page directs families to the local authority process and states that parents are responsible for meeting the annual closing date, which it describes as 15 January each year.

For September 2026 entry specifically, Somerset’s published primary admissions guidance gives these dates: closing date 15 January 2026, exceptional circumstances and supplementary information deadline 2 February 2026, and outcomes issued 16 April 2026 (with appeals closing 18 May 2026 for those notified on 16 April).

In-year admissions are handled differently. The school states that in-year applications are submitted directly to the school using its form, considered weekly with a 4pm Friday deadline, and a decision issued within ten school days.

A practical tip for parents comparing options, use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check your home location against likely local alternatives, then shortlist by admissions criteria and travel time rather than reputation alone.

Wellbeing is not treated as a soft add-on. The school’s safeguarding structure is clearly published, with the headteacher named as safeguarding lead and identified deputies. For families, the key point is transparency, you can see who holds responsibility and how concerns are escalated.

Inspection evidence also frames staff as highly attuned to pupils’ wellbeing, with a clear emphasis on social and emotional development alongside academic progress. This usually suits pupils who value consistent adult support and clear boundaries, especially in the early years where routines are explicitly highlighted as strong.

As a Church of England school, spiritual and moral development is part of the stated model, but the school also references religious education representing multiple faiths through the agreed Somerset syllabus. The implication is that families do not need to be practising Christians for the ethos to make sense day-to-day, but they should be comfortable with a school where collective worship is a normal part of the week.

Extracurricular life is unusually well-evidenced here because it appears in both school-published club listings and inspection material.

From official inspection evidence, clubs explicitly referenced include The Invincibles military club, ukulele, and sports options such as football, plus additional options introduced to widen participation such as bench ball and homework club. The implied intent is inclusion, not just enrichment for the already-confident joiners.

From the school’s own clubs page, after-school provision is published term-by-term, with a current example list labelled After School Clubs, January 2026, alongside prior seasonal schedules. Specific named strands include Choir and KS2 Cooking, and the school also publishes a dance club letter in its club materials.

There is also evidence of broader trips and experiences. The school’s published event archive references, for example, a Houses of Parliament visit for Years 5 and 6, alongside wider themed days and community activity. For families, the implication is that enrichment is used to broaden horizons and connect learning to real institutions and experiences.

The published school day runs 08:50am to 3:20pm, Monday to Friday.

Breakfast club is clearly described as operating 8:00am to 8:50am on weekdays in term time, with a published cost of £3 per session per child and advance booking via the school’s payment platform.

After-school clubs are referenced, but the school does not present one single after-school care offer to a fixed end time in the material reviewed, so families needing wraparound beyond clubs should confirm arrangements directly.

• Competition for places: Reception entry is oversubscribed, with 129 applications for 59 offers in the most recent dataset snapshot. Families should approach admission planning early and keep credible alternatives in mind. (FindMySchool data)

• Faith character is real: Collective worship and a Christian framing of values are central. This will suit many families, but those who want a wholly secular school culture should weigh fit carefully.

• A high-attainment environment: Strong outcomes often come with high expectations and structured routines. Pupils who need a gentler pace may still thrive, but parents should ask specifically how stretch and support are balanced for different learners.

• Wraparound clarity: Breakfast provision is well-defined, but after-school care beyond clubs is not set out as a single, clearly timed offer on the pages reviewed, so confirm practicalities if you need late collection.

Preston CofE Primary School combines very strong primary outcomes with a clearly articulated Church of England ethos and a well-structured approach to learning. The latest inspection evidence supports a picture of high ambition, purposeful classrooms, and pupils taking real responsibility.

Best suited to families who want a high-expectation state primary, are comfortable with a Christian framework in daily school life, and can engage early with a competitive admissions process. The primary hurdle is entry rather than what follows.