SchoolScoresStanchester Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of BRIDGWATER & TAUNTON COLLEGE TRUST
East Stoke, Stoke-sub-Hamdon, TA14 6UG
01935 823200 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 19 November 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.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
134 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Somerset comparisons use the 22 of its 36 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 14 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 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 82% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 78% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 80% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 80% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 4th highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 61% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 72% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 47 parents whose child had been bullied 7th highest of 20 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 66% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 48% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 109 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 90% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 67% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 33 parents of children with SEND 2nd highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 47% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61% | 50% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 3rd highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 85% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92%said yes | 76% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 17%). 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. 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
132 pupils in this year group.
48% — 7 points above the Somerset average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 48% | 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. | 43.7 | 43.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.9 | 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.
140 pupils in this year group.
91% — about the same as the Somerset average, and about the same as 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. | 91% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 4% | 17% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 4% | 17% | 13% |
| Further education college | 69% | 47% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 6% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 91% |
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 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 146 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 138 |
| Of those, offered a place | 138 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 206 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 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
| Pupils | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 23rd highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.6% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 26th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0% | 15.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 28th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 19% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.3% | 9.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 17th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 37% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.1% | 9.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 16th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 42% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 25.1% | 24.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 13th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 34% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 22.3 | 38.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 17th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 36% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5% | 9.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.12% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 21st highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 54% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0 | 17.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 13th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 56% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 18th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 49% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 13.0% | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is Stanchester Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 19 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Stanchester Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 48% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Stanchester Academy?
92% of the 134 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Stanchester Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Stanchester Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 138 families put Stanchester Academy as their first choice for 146 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 138 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 137080.
- 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.