Coxley pupils praised but Ofsted calls for improvements

By Laura Linham 12th May 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 11 minutes ago

Ofsted has praised pupils at Coxley Primary School near Wells, while saying the school requires significant improvement.

Pupils at Coxley Primary School have been praised by Ofsted, despite inspectors finding the village school requires significant improvement.

The school, in Harter's Hill Lane near Wells, was inspected on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.

Inspectors described Coxley as a close-knit school where children behave well, attend well and are proud to belong.

The report says pupils form positive relationships with staff and with each other. It also says they feel safe, know who to speak to if they are worried, and help create a calm and friendly atmosphere in school.

Ofsted also highlighted the way pupils live out school values such as working together and respect.

Community links were another strength. Inspectors noted that children take part in local events and raise money for charities, helping them develop compassion and empathy.

Children who join Coxley during the school year are warmly welcomed, with staff getting to know them quickly and helping them settle in.

Reading was also praised. Ofsted said phonics teaching helps pupils learn and remember key knowledge, with published phonics and key stage 2 reading outcomes at or above national averages.

Safeguarding standards were met.

However, the report also set out clear areas where improvement is needed.

Inspectors said too many pupils are not achieving as well as they could because teaching does not consistently help them build and remember important knowledge and skills.

Achievement, curriculum and teaching, early years and inclusion were all judged as needing attention.

Leadership and governance was judged to require urgent improvement.

The report said governors had not fulfilled their statutory responsibilities and had not provided the level of support and challenge needed to secure sustained improvement.

In a letter to parents, Coxley School thanked families for their support following the publication of the report.

The school said: "Your children are at the heart of our school culture and we feel very fortunate to be part of such a supportive community, working together, always, to achieve the best for them."

Leaders said staff had already made "considerable progress" in the areas identified as needing attention and remained committed to improving the school.

The school also confirmed the former governing body had been removed partly as a result of the Ofsted findings.

Ofsted has told the school to strengthen governance, improve staff training, sharpen school improvement work and make sure gaps in pupils' learning are identified and addressed.