SchoolScoresThe Castle School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of BLACKDOWN EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP
Wellington Road, Taunton, TA1 5AU
01823 274073 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 3 October 2023.
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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
324 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
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 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 79% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 79% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 69% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 135 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 69% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 56% | 46% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 243 parents who had raised a concern 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 79% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 68% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Taunton. Higher than 85% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92%said yes | 77% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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
239 pupils in this year group.
58% — 17 points above the Somerset average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 58% | 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. | 53.4 | 43.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.7 | 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.
239 pupils in this year group.
94% — 2 points above the Somerset average, and 2 points above 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. | 94% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 2% | 17% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 62% | 17% | 13% |
| Further education college | 23% | 47% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 94% |
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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 237 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 336 |
| Of those, offered a place | 234 (70%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 707 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.5 · 2026: 1.4
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 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 12% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.0% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.6% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 22% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 15.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 53% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.2% | 9.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Lower than 70% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.2% | 9.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Lower than 82% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 16.1% | 24.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Lower than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 29.9 | 38.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Lower than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 9.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.17% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 63% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.4 | 17.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 31% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.0 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Taunton. Higher than 14% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 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
- Taunton School 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 41% A*/A at A level
- Taunton Preparatory School 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Queen's College 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 33% A*/A at A level
- King's College Taunton 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 35% A*/A at A level
- Richard Huish College 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B- average A level grade
- Bishop Fox's School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Pyrland School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025, before conversion) · 26% grade 5+ English and maths
- King's College Prep 1.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Monkton Wood Academy 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2023, before conversion) · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Castle School's Ofsted rating?
The Castle School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 3 October 2023.
How did The Castle School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 58% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Castle School?
92% of the 324 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend The Castle School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Castle School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 336 families put The Castle School as their first choice for 237 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 234 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 136916.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- 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.