SchoolScoresWest Somerset College
Academy · Secondary, ages 13 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of BRIDGWATER & TAUNTON COLLEGE TRUST
Bircham Road, Alcombe, Minehead, TA24 6AY
01643 706061 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 20 January 2026 , published 23 March 2026.
In short: 2 expected, 5 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
76 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Somerset comparisons use the 4 of its 36 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 32 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 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 17% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 60% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 18% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 63% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 15% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 49% | 49% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 21 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 17% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 29% | 29% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 62 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 15% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 50% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 26 parents of children with SEND 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 4% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 23% | 31% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Somerset. Higher than 10% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 51%said yes | 55% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 10%). 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
215 pupils in this year group.
33% — 8 points below the Somerset average, and 13 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 33% | 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. | 41.2 | 43.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.4 | 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.
193 pupils in this year group.
84% — 8 points below the Somerset average, and 8 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. | 84% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 33% | 17% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 20% | 17% | 13% |
| Further education college | 15% | 47% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 6% | 3% |
| Work | 8% | 5% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 84% |
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
53 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 9% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 35% | 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. | 28.4 | 33.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
16 subjects, 129 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Studies:Single | 22 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 16 | 6% | 6% | 14% |
| Mathematics | 14 | 0% | 14% | 40% |
| Psychology | 12 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Sociology | 10 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 8 | 13% | 50% | 38% |
| Biology | 7 | 0% | 14% | 27% |
| Economics | 7 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Art and Design (Textiles) | 6 | 17% | 50% | 36% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Photography), Computer Studies / Computing, History, Chemistry, English Literature, Geography, Mathematics (Further).
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.
84 students in this year group.
71% — 10 points below the Somerset average, and 8 points below 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. | 71% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 11% | 7% |
| Work | 51% | 40% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 77% | 71% |
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.
60 students in this year group.
42% — 5 points below the Somerset average, and 18 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 42% | 47% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 8% | 14% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 50% | 42% |
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 13th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 45% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.2% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 28th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.0% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 20th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1% | 15.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 25th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.7% | 9.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 35th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 3% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8% | 9.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 35th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 5% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 37.6% | 24.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 30th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 6% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 69.2 | 38.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 33rd lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Lower than 4% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 19.6% | 9.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.13% | 0.30% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 28th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 41% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4 | 17.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 17th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 42% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 11th highest of 35 state secondary schools in Somerset. Higher than 71% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3% | 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
- Minehead Middle School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is West Somerset College's Ofsted rating?
West Somerset College was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 20 January 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 2 expected, 5 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did West Somerset College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 33% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 13 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend West Somerset College?
51% of the 76 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend West Somerset College 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 136791.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- 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.