Norton Hill Academy

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of MIDSOMER NORTON SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP

Charlton Road, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, BA3 4AD

01761 412557 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 8 October 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths53%England 45% · 2024/25
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Higher than 71% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,757Room for 1,718 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,704 in 2019, 1,852 in 2021, 1,851 in 2022, 1,857 in 2023, 1,827 in 2024, 1,765 in 2025, 1,757 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.1303 for 279 places, September 2026
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Higher than 72% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 8 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

123 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Radstock comparisons use the 3 of its 4 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other one has 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.

StatementThis schoolRadstockEngland
My child is happy at this school
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Radstock.
Higher than 79% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
91% 86% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Radstock.
Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
88% 89% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Radstock.
Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
86% 83% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 40 parents whose child had been bullied
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Radstock.
Higher than 90% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
65% 63% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 93 parents who had raised a concern
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Radstock.
Higher than 86% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
84% 79% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 46 parents of children with SEND
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bath and North East Somerset.
Higher than 67% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
70% – 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Radstock.
Higher than 77% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
89%said yes 86% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 7%). 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. Radstock figures pool parents at the Radstock 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. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

287 pupils in this year group.

53% — 5 points above the Bath and North East Somerset average, and 8 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBath and North East SomersetEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 53% 49% 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. 50.2 47.9 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.4 4.3 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 57%This school 2023/24: 55%This school 2024/25: 53% This school England 45% 2022/23 57% 2023/24 55% 2024/25 53%

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.

276 pupils in this year group.

97% — 2 points above the Bath and North East Somerset average, and 5 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 58%30%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolBath and North East SomersetEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 97% 95% 92%
School sixth form 58% 48% 34%
Sixth form college 1% 9% 13%
Further education college 30% 27% 37%
Apprenticeship 4% 5% 3%
Work 4% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%97%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

109 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolBath and North East SomersetEngland
Average A level grade B- B- B-
A level exams graded A* or A 24% 25% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 54% 53% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 36.9 35.3 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 36.8This school 2023/24: 35.8This school 2024/25: 36.9 This school England 35 2022/23 36.8 2023/24 35.8 2024/25 36.9

A level subjects, 2024/25

24 subjects, 284 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 30 10% 27% 40%
History 25 4% 20% 23%
Psychology 25 4% 36% 19%
Sociology 23 17% 43% 20%
Physics 21 10% 24% 31%
Biology 18 0% 6% 27%
English Literature 17 12% 24% 23%
Business Studies:Single 15 13% 33% 16%
Chemistry 12 8% 33% 30%
Drama and Theatre Studies 11 9% 18% 19%
Economics 11 18% 18% 26%
Art and Design (Photography) 10 10% 10% 26%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 9 11% 22% 38%
English Language and Literature 9 11% 11% 16%
Geography 9 11% 22% 23%
Computer Studies / Computing 7 0% 14% 24%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 6 0% 0% 17%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Music, Design and Technology (Product Design), Government and Politics, Mathematics (Further), Religious Studies, Spanish, French.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

171 students in this year group.

92% — 9 points above the Bath and North East Somerset average, and 13 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBath and North East SomersetEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 92% 83% 79%
Apprenticeship 8% 9% 7%
Work 32% 38% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
91%92%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

159 students in this year group.

64% — 4 points above the Bath and North East Somerset average, and 4 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBath and North East SomersetEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 64% 60% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 21% 22% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
71%64%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 Bath and North East 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?

For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered279
Families who put it first303
Of those, offered a place277 (91%)
Families who listed it at all427

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.1

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.

Admissions dates and schools in Bath and North East Somerset

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolBath and North East SomersetEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
18.3% 19.0%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.4% 4.2%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Higher than 57% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
14.7% 14.7%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.3% 7.2%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Lower than 81% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
6.5% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Lower than 84% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
15.6% 22.5%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Lower than 50% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
14.6 20.8 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Lower than 63% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
5.2% 7.0% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils 0.28% 0.20% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Higher than 74% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
18.0 17.5 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Higher than 76% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
13.0 12.5 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Radstock.
Higher than 33% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
10.7% 12.0%* 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.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Norton Hill Academy's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 8 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did Norton Hill Academy do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 53% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 8 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Norton Hill Academy?

89% of the 123 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Norton Hill Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Norton Hill Academy oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 303 families put Norton Hill Academy as their first choice for 279 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 277 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.