Berkley Church of England First School, Frome

Ofsted's report card from its 21 April 2026 inspection grades Berkley Church of England First School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Leaders have raised expectations of how well pupils should learn and achieve."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have ensured that the school focuses on the foundational knowledge of reading, writing and mathematics."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children enjoy their time in the Reception year and most are well prepared for the challenges ahead."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Every pupil is treated as an individual in this small school."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Following a period of instability, governors acted swiftly to strengthen leadership at the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils benefit from a well-thought-out personal development programme that begins in the Reception class."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that the curriculum, particularly for speaking and listening, is clearly sequenced across early years and the wider school so that pupils build communication skills progressively and explain their learning confidently"; "Those responsible for governance should ensure that they understand more comprehensively how well the school is performing so they can check the impact of leaders' actions on school improvement and pupils' outcomes".

For September 2026 entry, 6 families put Berkley Church of England First School as their first choice and 21 named it as one of their preferences, for 9 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Berkley Church of England First School are Chapmanslade Church of England Primary School (1.4 miles); Hayesdown First School (1.4 miles, Good); Beckington Church First School (1.5 miles); and St John's Church of England Voluntary Aided First School, Frome (2.2 miles, Requires improvement).

12.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 7 pupils (14.3%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

Berkley Church of England First School had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Frome Rail Station, about 1.9 miles away in a straight line.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Primary School and Church (sw-bound), 30 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 1 crime within a mile of the school, most often public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Somerset (22).

Berkley Church of England First School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Berkley Church of England First School are Selwood Academy (1.5 miles) and Frome Community College (1.7 miles).