A MIDDLE school has been rated as 'good' following a visit from Ofsted inspectors, with the pupils' behaviour receiving praise.

Hugh Sexey Church of England Middle School, in Blackford, near Wedmore, was given the positive rating after inspections on November 14 and 15, 2023.

As a part of the Wessex Learning Trust and overseen by the CEO, Gavin Ball, the middle school caters to a mix of around 657 boys and girls aged between 9 and 13 years.

Inspectors found that "pupils are happy and safe" and appreciated the warm, respectful relationships between pupils and staff.

They also praised the school's high expectations for behaviour, noting that "pupils live up to these".

The school was lauded for its aim to inspire pupils to help others, with older students even acting as 'buddies' to the younger ones.

The report also observed the school’s provision for a broad curriculum that began in Year 5 and prepared students for their journey up to Year 8.

The evaluation however specifically mentioned that " in some subjects, leaders have not pinpointed the knowledge that it is most important for pupils to learn and remember".

Another area that needed improvement was reading fluency.

Inspectors found that "some pupils do not receive the support they need to improve their reading fluency and confidence".

The report recommended that the school and the trust ensure that "there is an effective reading programme in place for all pupils who need it".

Among the school's strengths was the system for safeguarding pupils, which inspectors classified as effective.

They also mentioned that students understood the school’s well-defined values and were eager to contribute to communal activities such as charity events or school council roles.

This not only boosted their leadership skills but also instilled an understanding of civic duty.