Bowlish Infant School is a mainstream primary school in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, for children aged 4 to 7. In January 2026, 11 of its 114 pupils (9.6%) were getting SEN support and 2 (1.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–7
- 114 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Somerset.
9.6% get SEN support
11 of 114 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
1.8% have an EHC plan
2 of 114 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream primary school
- Run as
- Council-run school
- Ages
- 4 to 7
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 114 (places for 117)
- Headteacher
- Miss Rebecca Eldred
- Free school meals
- 14% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Somerset
- School reference (URN)
- 123672
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Somerset council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, November 2012; school remains Good (April 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2012. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, April 2022).
Contact and getting there
Bowlish, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5JQ
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- The Mendip School Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted: Good 2.7 miles
- Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted report card (2025) 5.7 miles
- Newbury Manor School Independent · Ages 6–19 · Ofsted report card (2026) 6.8 miles
- Midsomer Norton Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 7.3 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Shepton Mallet Community Infants' School & Nursery Primary · Ages 2–7 · SEN support 19.9%, EHC plans 1.6% 0.6 miles
- St Paul's Church of England VC Junior School Primary · Ages 7–11 · SEN support 19.4%, EHC plans 3.4% 0.6 miles
- Whitstone Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 19.8%, EHC plans 3.3% 0.8 miles
Questions about Bowlish Infant School
How many pupils at Bowlish Infant School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 11 of the 114 pupils (9.6%) were getting SEN support and 2 (1.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Bowlish Infant School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Bowlish Infant School?
Through Somerset council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Bowlish Infant School?
You can ask for Bowlish Infant School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Bowlish Infant School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Bishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, about 5.7 miles away.
Where is Bowlish Infant School?
Bowlish, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5JQ, in Somerset.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.