SchoolScoresBridgwater College Academy
Academy · All-through, ages 3 to 16 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of BRIDGWATER & TAUNTON COLLEGE TRUST
Parkway, Bridgwater, TA6 4QY
01278 727327 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 10 March 2026 , published 19 May 2026.
In short: 2 needs attention, 5 urgent improvement, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
Category of concern: Special measures. Ofsted will monitor the school closely until it improves.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Urgent improvement The lowest of five grades. Ofsted found serious weaknesses that need fixing quickly. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Urgent improvement The lowest of five grades. Ofsted found serious weaknesses that need fixing quickly. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Urgent improvement The lowest of five grades. Ofsted found serious weaknesses that need fixing quickly. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Urgent improvement The lowest of five grades. Ofsted found serious weaknesses that need fixing quickly. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Urgent improvement The lowest of five grades. Ofsted found serious weaknesses that need fixing quickly. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
76 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Somerset comparisons use the 4 of its 36 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 32 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 10% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53% | 60% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 5% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 49% | 63% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 5% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 34% | 49% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 32 parents whose child had been bullied 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 2% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 13% | 29% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 72 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 10% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 42% | 50% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 20 parents of children with SEND 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 3% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 20% | 31% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 7% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 46%said yes | 55% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 5%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Somerset figures pool parents at the Somerset schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
81 pupils in this year group.
25% — 32 points below the Somerset average, and 37 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 25% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 46% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 38% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 42% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 100 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 99 | 103 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
187 pupils in this year group.
16% — 24 points below the Somerset average, and 29 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 16% | 40% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 31.9 | 43.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.9 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
163 pupils in this year group.
87% — 5 points below the Somerset average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 87% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 1% | 17% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 17% | 13% |
| Further education college | 81% | 47% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 87% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Somerset. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 120 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 107 |
| Of those, offered a place | 107 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 168 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 76 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 68 |
| Of those, offered a place | 68 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 101 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 24 places for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia); Visual impairment; Other difficulties or disabilities; Hearing impairment; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Multi-sensory impairment; Physical disability; Moderate learning difficulties; Severe learning difficulties; Profound and multiple learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Bridgwater. Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 36.5% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Bridgwater. Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Bridgwater. Higher than 95% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 24.1% | 15.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Bridgwater. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.0% | 9.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Bridgwater. Lower than 24% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.0% | 9.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Bridgwater. Lower than 31% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.2% | 24.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Bridgwater. Lower than 2% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 100.0 | 38.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Bridgwater. Lower than 9% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6% | 9.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded15 pupils | 0.95% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Bridgwater. Higher than 47% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.7 | 17.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Bridgwater. Higher than 6% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.2 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Bridgwater. Higher than 48% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.8% | 14.2%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Chilton Trinity School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Robert Blake Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Haygrove School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bridgwater College Academy's Ofsted rating?
Bridgwater College Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 10 March 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 2 needs attention, 5 urgent improvement, and safeguarding was met.
How did Bridgwater College Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 16% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 29 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Bridgwater College Academy?
46% of the 76 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Bridgwater College Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Bridgwater College Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 107 families put Bridgwater College Academy as their first choice for 120 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 107 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 138375.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.