SchoolScoresThe Kings of Wessex Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 13 to 18 · Mixed · Church of England · Sixth form
Part of WESSEX LEARNING TRUST
Station Road, Cheddar, BS27 3AQ
01934 742608 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 5 March 2015.
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 | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 6 November 2024: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
157 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 Joint 10th highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 46% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 78% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 6th 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. | 89% | 80% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 11th highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 43% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 72% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 42 parents whose child had been bullied 14th highest of 20 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 37% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 45% | 48% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 119 parents who had raised a concern Joint 7th highest of 21 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 59% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 67% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 27 parents of children with SEND 4th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 43% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 59% | 50% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 10th highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 50% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80%said yes | 76% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 15%). 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
268 pupils in this year group.
54% — 13 points above the Somerset average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 54% | 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. | 48.7 | 43.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.3 | 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.
225 pupils in this year group.
97% — 5 points above the Somerset average, and 5 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. | 97% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 54% | 17% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | Not published | 17% | 13% |
| Further education college | 32% | 47% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 5% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 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
102 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 26% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 57% | 54% | 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. | 36.0 | 33.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
24 subjects, 253 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Studies:Single | 22 | 18% | 18% | 16% |
| History | 21 | 10% | 24% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 20 | 15% | 35% | 40% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 16 | 6% | 13% | 26% |
| Chemistry | 16 | 6% | 25% | 30% |
| Geography | 15 | 0% | 13% | 23% |
| Sociology | 15 | 0% | 40% | 20% |
| Biology | 14 | 7% | 14% | 27% |
| Psychology | 14 | 0% | 14% | 19% |
| English Literature | 12 | 17% | 58% | 23% |
| Film Studies | 12 | 8% | 33% | 17% |
| Economics | 11 | 0% | 9% | 26% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 9 | 0% | 11% | 15% |
| Religious Studies | 9 | 11% | 44% | 22% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 8 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
| Physics | 8 | 13% | 13% | 31% |
| English Language | 7 | 0% | 43% | 13% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Art and Design (Textiles), Mathematics (Further), Physical Education / Sports Studies, Russian, German, Music.
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.
113 students in this year group.
82% — about the same as the Somerset average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 82% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 8% | 11% | 7% |
| Work | 26% | 40% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 82% |
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.
104 students in this year group.
62% — 15 points above the Somerset average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 62% | 47% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 25% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 64% | 62% |
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 Somerset. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
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 34th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 34th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 4% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.6% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 35th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 12% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.8% | 15.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 29th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 14% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.5% | 9.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 15th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 39% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 9.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 14th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 52% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.2% | 24.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 71% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1 | 38.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 71% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.3% | 9.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 83% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.6 | 17.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 92% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.4 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 22nd highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 41% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 11.9% | 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
- Fairlands Middle School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Kings of Wessex Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Kings of Wessex Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 5 March 2015. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 6 November 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did The Kings of Wessex Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 54% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 8 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Kings of Wessex Academy?
80% of the 157 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend The Kings of Wessex Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 136783.
- 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, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.