Fairlands Middle School, Cheddar

In its own words: "Fairlands Middle School is a school at the heart of the community. At Fairlands we have a caring and respectful culture where there is no limit to what our pupils can accomplish."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am so excited to have begun my journey as the new headteacher here and I have been overwhelmed by the warm welcome I have had from the children and staff. It really is a wonderful Fairlands family to be part of."

In 2025, 74% of Year 6 pupils at Fairlands Middle School reached the expected standard in reading and 65% 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 (75% in reading, 64% in maths).

Across Somerset, 92% of families were offered their first-choice secondary school for 2026 entry, and 98% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Somerset lodged 133 appeals against secondary school offers; 99 reached a hearing and 10 succeeded (10.1% of those heard).

The nearest other state secondary schools to Fairlands Middle School are The Kings of Wessex Academy (0.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47.2); Churchill Academy & Sixth Form (4.6 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 49); and Hugh Sexey Church of England Middle School (4.7 miles, Good).

Fairlands Middle School is one of 23 schools run by Wessex Learning Trust, an academy trust.

70 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Fairlands Middle School (as of September 2025): 83% would recommend the school, 89% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (89%); the weakest, that the school supports their child's wider development (63%).

4.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 63 pupils (15.6%) received SEN support and 12 (3%) 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 a moderate learning difficulty.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Fairlands Middle School.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Church Street (n-bound), 360 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 48 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and burglary. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Somerset (22), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Fairlands Middle School issued 9 suspensions, 2.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Fairlands Middle School are Cheddar First School (0.5 miles) and Draycott & Rodney Stoke Church of England First School (1.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.