Cheddar First School Achieves ‘Good’ Rating in Ofsted Inspection
January 14, 2025
We are thrilled to announce that Cheddar First School has been rated ‘Good’ across all key areas in its recent Ofsted inspection, a major milestone for the school and the wider community. This fantastic achievement reflects the school’s commitment to providing high-quality education, nurturing student development, and fostering positive relationships among pupils and staff.
The school, located in the heart of Cheddar and part of The Wessex Learning Trust, received commendations for its strong leadership, outstanding behaviour and attitudes, and the high expectations placed on its pupils. Ofsted praised the school’s ambitious curriculum, which starts in the early years, and the dedication of the staff to ensuring pupils thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Key Highlights from the Report:
- Quality of Education: The curriculum meets the needs of pupils well, setting clear expectations for what pupils should learn at each stage. Teachers’ high-quality training ensures confident delivery of subjects across the curriculum, enabling students to achieve well.
- Behaviour and Attitudes: Pupils demonstrate exemplary behaviour, consistently following the school’s ‘ready, respectful, safe’ ethos. They are polite, well-mannered, and motivated to succeed. The strong relationships between pupils and staff provide a solid foundation for academic success.
- Personal Development: The school offers extensive opportunities for pupils to develop their leadership skills and participate in extracurricular activities, including sports, art, and residential trips. Pupils also engage in charitable work, supporting causes such as local food banks.
- Early Years Provision: From pre-school to Reception, Cheddar First School excels in providing a nurturing environment that prepares children for future learning. The curriculum in early English and mathematics ensures that children are well-equipped for Year 1.
- Safeguarding: Effective safeguarding practices ensure that pupils feel safe, supported, and valued. The school maintains strong relationships with families and offers targeted support to pupils with additional needs.
The Wessex Learning Trust and Cheddar First School leadership team are committed to continually enhancing the school’s provision to further secure the best outcomes for all pupils.
Headteacher Suzi Smith and the entire staff team, along with the support of the Wessex Learning Trust, have worked tirelessly to achieve this result. We extend our congratulations to everyone at Cheddar First School for their hard work and dedication.
This ‘Good’ rating is a testament to the school’s success and its positive impact on the local community. We look forward to seeing even greater achievements in the future as Cheddar First School continues to provide an enriching educational experience for its pupils.