Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton, Taunton
Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton is a primary school for pupils aged 5 to 11 in Taunton. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in May 2013. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in October 2023 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 8th-highest of the 36 schools in Taunton with published results, and 4,096th of 14,452 across England. It was full in 2025, at 102% of capacity.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2013)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Somerset (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton in detail
Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton in its own words
Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 4 November 2026 at 9.30am, an open day on Monday 9 November 2026 at 2pm, an open day on Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 9.30am and an open day on Wednesday 25 November 2026 at 9.30am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Somerset
Open days on the school's site (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 86% of Year 6 pupils at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton reached the expected standard in reading and 81% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 71% in Somerset and 77% and 75% across England.
Results were similar in 2024 (83% in reading, 81% in maths).
Getting a place at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton
For September 2026 entry, 47 families put Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton as their first choice and 114 named it as one of their preferences, for 50 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton are Parkfield Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 73% reading, 73% maths); Orchard Grove Primary School (0.6 miles); Bishops Hull Primary School (0.8 miles, 76% reading, 76% maths); and Trull Church of England VA Primary School (1 mile, Good, 97% reading, 97% maths).
Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.
Parkfield Primary SchoolOrchard Grove Primary SchoolBishops Hull Primary SchoolTrull Church of England VA Primary School
Who goes there
12.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 65 pupils (15.4%) received SEN support and 12 (2.8%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Taunton Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ferndown Close (ne-bound), 200 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 217 crimes within a mile of the school, most often shoplifting, violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Somerset (22), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton issued 22 suspensions, 5.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton are The Castle School (0.7 miles) and Bishop Fox's School (1.2 miles).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoThis judgement is from May 2013, 13 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Good.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its May 2013 inspection - down from Outstanding.
Rated Good for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
12.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has remained stable at around 86% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 81% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 86% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
30.2
Avg class size
27.8
Infant (KS1)
32.0
KS2
14
Total classes
8 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Latest from Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton
Day two - high ropes with Class 13
10 Sep 2026
More photographs from Day 2
10 Sep 2026
Year 6 arrive safely and enjoy an afternoon of fun!
9 Sep 2026
Fun on the night walk
9 Sep 2026
Issue 22
20 Mar 2026
Issue 21
6 Mar 2026
From Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Keep up with Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton.
- AO Sports Coaching at Parkfield PS Holiday Club630m away · Not yet graded
- Stagecoach Taunton630m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
You apply to the council where you live. Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton is in Somerset; for families living there:
Apply to Somerset for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 8
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 2
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 8 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 6 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
2 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Somerset is 3 (the median across 307 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton
Will you get a place at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Somerset, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Somerset got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
102%
Over capacity
428 pupils
420 places
8 pupils over capacity in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Taunton
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Taunton
Across Somerset council
Places available
6,414
Applications
4,928
Got 1st preference
95.0%
Got preferred school
99.0%
All primary applications across Somerset council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(6)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
65
SEN Support
12
EHC Plans
18.2%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
423
Total Pupils
215
Boys
208
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
25
Teachers
16.9:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£48,520
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£4,976
Per pupil
£2341k
Total funding
£86k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.6%
Overall absence
8.9%
Persistent absence
384
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton
Questions parents ask about Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton
What are SATs results like at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton?
Of the pupils at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 86% reached the expected standard in reading and 81% did so in maths.
What is Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton's Ofsted rating?
Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton's most recent Ofsted inspection, in October 2023, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in May 2013, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton?
No fixed boundary. When Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton is oversubscribed, Somerset allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton?
Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton was full in 2025, at 102% of its capacity, so places are allocated on the oversubscription criteria.
How big are the classes at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton?
Classes at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton average 30.2 pupils (2025/26). 8 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton?
Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton has around 423 pupils on roll. 13% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton?
4.6% of sessions were missed at Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton in 2024/25. 8.9% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton?
Apply through Somerset's coordinated admissions process, naming Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists 2 out-of-school clubs within a kilometre of Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton: AO Sports Coaching at Parkfield PS Holiday Club (630m away, registered, not yet graded) and Stagecoach Taunton (630m away, registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 8 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 2 serious and 6 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 2 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Somerset is 3 (the median across 307 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton?
Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton is at Henderson Close, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4TU.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)