Weare Academy First School, Axbridge
Weare Academy First School is a primary school for pupils aged 2 to 9 in Axbridge, part of Wessex Learning Trust. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in December 2022. It was 86% full in 2025.
- Ofsted
- Good (2022)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Better than England average
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
Weare Academy First School in detail
Weare Academy First School in its own words
In its own words: "Our vision for Weare Academy Church of England First School is that: Our mission is to instil a lifelong love for learning; empowering our pupils to develop into Aspirational and Resilient individuals, who are Kind, Respectful, and Responsible members of society. We strive to deliver high-quality education in a safe and inclusive environment with Christian Values at its core."
From the headteacher's welcome: "It is my pleasure to welcome you to Weare Academy Church of England First School - a small, family-friendly village school where every child is known, valued and celebrated for who they are. Set in beautiful rural surroundings at the heart of our caring village community, Weare Academy is a happy and nurturing place to learn, play and grow."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include STEM and forest school.
The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)Clubs (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Getting a place at Weare Academy First School
For September 2026 entry, 20 families put Weare Academy First School as their first choice and 33 named it as one of their preferences, for 20 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Weare Academy First School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Weare Academy First School are Axbridge Church of England First School Academy (1.7 miles, Good); Cheddar First School (3 miles); Winscombe Primary School (3.2 miles, 79% reading, 76% maths); and Wedmore First School Academy (3.7 miles, Good).
Axbridge Church of England First School AcademyCheddar First SchoolWinscombe Primary SchoolWedmore First School Academy
The trust
Weare Academy First School is one of 23 schools run by Wessex Learning Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 67% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
Who goes there
10.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 18 pupils (12.1%) 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 a moderate learning difficulty.
Staffing
Weare Academy First School had 9 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Weare Academy First School.
2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Weare First School (n-bound), 60 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Somerset (22).
Suspensions and exclusions
Weare Academy First School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; 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 · 4 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its December 2022 inspection.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
10.1%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
24.2
Avg class size
20.3
Infant (KS1)
30.0
KS2
5
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Weare Academy First School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Weare Academy First School.
- Future Stars Coaching at Weare Academy C of E First SchoolAt the school · Not yet graded
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Weare Academy First School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Weare Academy First School 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)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
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 Weare Academy First School
Will you get a place at Weare Academy First School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Weare Academy First School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Weare Academy First School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Weare Academy First School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Somerset, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Weare Academy First School 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
86%
Available places
129 pupils
150 places
21 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Axbridge
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Axbridge
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(2)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
18
SEN Support
0
EHC Plans
12.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
149
Total Pupils
83
Boys
66
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
9
Teachers
16.6:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£50,595
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,456
Per pupil
£778k
Total funding
£21k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.9%
Overall absence
1.9%
Persistent absence
106
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Weare Academy First School
What is Weare Academy First School's Ofsted rating?
Weare Academy First School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in December 2022. At its previous graded inspection in 2007 it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Weare Academy First School?
No fixed boundary. When Weare Academy First School is oversubscribed, Somerset allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Weare Academy First School?
Weare Academy First School was not full in 2025: it ran at 86% of its 150 places.
How big are the classes at Weare Academy First School?
Classes at Weare Academy First School average 24.2 pupils (2025/26). 1 class has more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Weare Academy First School?
Weare Academy First School has around 149 pupils on roll. 10% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Weare Academy First School?
3.9% of sessions were missed at Weare Academy First School in 2024/25. 1.9% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Weare Academy First School?
Apply through Somerset's coordinated admissions process, naming Weare Academy First School 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 Weare Academy First School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Future Stars Coaching at Weare Academy C of E First School (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 Weare Academy First School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Somerset is 3 (the median across 307 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Weare Academy First School?
Weare Academy First School is at Notting Hill Way, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2JS.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)