SchoolScoresPyrland School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of MIDSOMER NORTON SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
Cheddon Road, Taunton, TA2 7QP
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 28 January 2025, 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.
Category of concern: Special measures.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Inadequate |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Inadequate |
| Personal development | Inadequate |
| Leadership and management | Inadequate |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
72 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Taunton comparisons use the 4 of its 7 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 3 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 | Taunton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 16% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 79% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 10% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64% | 79% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 14% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 54% | 69% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 31 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 11% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 32% | 46% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 58 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 17% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53% | 68% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 23 parents of children with SEND 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 30% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 52% | 47% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 21% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64%said yes | 77% | 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. Taunton figures pool parents at the Taunton 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
160 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 136193), before it changed to its current form.
26% — 15 points below the Somerset average, and 20 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 26% | 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. | 35.8 | 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.
145 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 136193), before it changed to its current form.
90% — 2 points below the Somerset average, and 2 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. | 90% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 17% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 24% | 17% | 13% |
| Further education college | 46% | 47% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 10% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 85% | 90% |
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?
For the September 2025 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 206 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 164 |
| Of those, offered a place | 152 (93%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 272 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.8
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 2025 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 56% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 29.4% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 57% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.2% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9% | 15.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 56% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.4% | 9.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Lower than 8% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1% | 9.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Lower than 13% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 32.7% | 24.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Lower than 1% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 122.0 | 38.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Lower than 6% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.0% | 9.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded12 pupils | 1.20% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 98% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 22.0 | 17.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 97% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.7 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 44% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.3% | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- King's College Prep 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Taunton School 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 41% A*/A at A level
- Taunton Preparatory School 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Castle School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- Monkton Wood Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2023, before conversion) · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- King's College Taunton 1.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 35% A*/A at A level
- Richard Huish College 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B- average A level grade
- Bishop Fox's School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Queen's College 2.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 33% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Pyrland School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 28 January 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Pyrland School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 26% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 20 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Pyrland School?
64% of the 72 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Pyrland School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Pyrland School oversubscribed?
For the September 2025 intake, 164 families put Pyrland School as their first choice for 206 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 152 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 152459.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, 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.