West Somerset College
- Secondary
- Academy converter
- Ages 13 to 19
URN 136791 · Somerset · BRIDGWATER & TAUNTON COLLEGE TRUST
Inspection
Ofsted management information, as at 30 September 2026.
Latest report card inspection
20 January 2026- Inclusion
- Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Needs attention
- Achievement
- Needs attention
- Attendance and behaviour
- Needs attention
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Expected standard
- Leadership and governance
- Needs attention
- Post-16 provision
- Needs attention
- Safeguarding standards
- Met
Full inspection (section 5)
Report cards, used from 10 November 2025, grade each area on a five-point scale and give no overall grade. Safeguarding is met or not met.
Earlier inspection, different framework
Earlier graded inspection
16 May 2023Overall effectiveness
Requires improvement
- Quality of education
- Requires improvement
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Requires improvement
- Personal development
- Requires improvement
- Leadership and management
- Requires improvement
- Sixth form provision
- Requires improvement
- Safeguarding is effective
- Yes
Full inspection (section 5)
Under the earlier framework, inspections gave an overall effectiveness grade.
Read the reports on Ofsted’s website. Source: Ofsted, State-funded school inspections and outcomes: management information.
Attendance
Against Somerset and England, secondary schools.
Overall absence
2024/2513.8%
- Somerset
- 9.4%
- England
- 8.4%
5.4 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 6.8% | Not published | 5.5% |
| 2018/19 | 6.6% | Not published | 5.5% |
| 2020/21 | 6.7% | Not published | 5.5% |
| 2021/22 | 13.3% | Not published | 9.0% |
| 2022/23 | 13.3% | Not published | 9.0% |
| 2023/24 | 14.6% | 10.3% | 8.9% |
| 2024/25 | 13.8% | 9.4% | 8.4% |
Sessions missed for any reason, as a share of all possible sessions in the school year. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Pupil absence in schools in England, 2024/25.
Persistent absence
2024/2537.6%
- Somerset
- 24.9%
- England
- 23.4%
14.2 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 23.1% | Not published | 13.9% |
| 2018/19 | 18.4% | Not published | 13.7% |
| 2020/21 | 19.9% | Not published | 14.8% |
| 2021/22 | 45.3% | Not published | 27.7% |
| 2022/23 | 43.1% | Not published | 26.5% |
| 2023/24 | 44.9% | 28.8% | 25.6% |
| 2024/25 | 37.6% | 24.9% | 23.4% |
Pupils who missed 10% or more of their possible sessions, as a share of pupils. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Pupil absence in schools in England, 2024/25.
Severe absence
2024/258.4%
- Somerset
- 4.8%
- England
- 3.9%
4.5 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 1.8% | Not published | 1.2% |
| 2018/19 | 1.5% | Not published | 1.3% |
| 2020/21 | 2.8% | Not published | 1.5% |
| 2021/22 | 4.1% | Not published | 2.7% |
| 2022/23 | 5.3% | Not published | 3.4% |
| 2023/24 | 8.4% | 5.0% | 3.8% |
| 2024/25 | 8.4% | 4.8% | 3.9% |
Pupils who missed 50% or more of their possible sessions, as a share of pupils. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Pupil absence in schools in England, 2024/25.
Suspensions and permanent exclusions
Against Somerset and England, secondary schools.
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2024/2569.21
- Somerset
- 38.46
- England
- 21.24
47.97 higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 12.09 | Not published | 10.13 |
| 2018/19 | 15.23 | Not published | 10.75 |
| 2019/20 | 23.14 | Not published | 7.43 |
| 2020/21 | 11.21 | Not published | 8.48 |
| 2021/22 | 20.97 | Not published | 13.96 |
| 2022/23 | 54.32 | Not published | 18.90 |
| 2023/24 | 58.63 | 39.17 | 22.61 |
| 2024/25 | 69.21 | 38.46 | 21.24 |
Suspensions in the school year for every 100 pupils on roll. One pupil can be suspended more than once. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England, 2024/25.
Permanent exclusions per 100 pupils
2024/250.13
- Somerset
- 0.30
- England
- 0.23
0.10 lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 0.14 | Not published | 0.20 |
| 2018/19 | 0.14 | Not published | 0.20 |
| 2019/20 | 0.00 | Not published | 0.13 |
| 2020/21 | 0.00 | Not published | 0.10 |
| 2021/22 | 0.00 | Not published | 0.16 |
| 2022/23 | 0.00 | Not published | 0.22 |
| 2023/24 | 0.13 | 0.35 | 0.25 |
| 2024/25 | 0.13 | 0.30 | 0.23 |
Permanent exclusions in the school year for every 100 pupils on roll. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England, 2024/25.
Key stage 4 results
Against Somerset and England, secondary schools.
Attainment 8
2025/26 (provisional)42.2
- Somerset
- 44.5
- England
- 47.4
5.2 lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | Not published | Not published | 49.8 |
| 2022/23 | Not published | 44.0 | 47.2 |
| 2023/24 | 39.7 | 43.6 | 46.9 |
| 2024/25 | 41.2 | 44.3 | 47.1 |
| 2025/26 (provisional) | 42.2 | 44.5 | 47.4 |
The average of pupils' points across eight GCSE-level qualifications, with English and maths counted twice. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Key stage 4 performance, 2025/26.
English and maths: grade 4 or above
2025/26 (provisional)54%
- Somerset
- 62%
- England
- 66%
12 percentage points lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | Not published | Not published | 70% |
| 2022/23 | Not published | 62% | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 57% | 63% | 67% |
| 2024/25 | 55% | 62% | 66% |
| 2025/26 (provisional) | 54% | 62% | 66% |
Pupils at the end of key stage 4 with grade 4 or above in both English and maths. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Key stage 4 performance, 2025/26.
English and maths: grade 5 or above
2025/26 (provisional)36%
- Somerset
- 41%
- England
- 48%
12 percentage points lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | Not published | Not published | 51% |
| 2022/23 | Not published | 40% | 46% |
| 2023/24 | 34% | 41% | 47% |
| 2024/25 | 33% | 41% | 47% |
| 2025/26 (provisional) | 36% | 41% | 48% |
Pupils at the end of key stage 4 with grade 5 or above in both English and maths. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Key stage 4 performance, 2025/26.
Pupils
Against Somerset and England, secondary schools.
Eligible for free school meals
2024/2524.3%
- Somerset
- 22.4%
- England
- 25.8%
1.5 percentage points lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 17.1% | 18.0% | 20.9% |
| 2022/23 | 19.4% | 19.7% | 22.7% |
| 2023/24 | 19.1% | 21.0% | 24.1% |
| 2024/25 | 24.3% | 22.4% | 25.8% |
Pupils known to be eligible for free school meals on census day in January. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
SEN support
2024/2515.1%
- Somerset
- 15.2%
- England
- 13.4%
1.7 percentage points higher than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 8.6% | 13.3% | 11.9% |
| 2022/23 | 11.0% | 13.7% | 12.4% |
| 2023/24 | 9.6% | 14.7% | 12.9% |
| 2024/25 | 15.1% | 15.2% | 13.4% |
Pupils receiving special educational needs support without an education, health and care plan. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Education, health and care plan
2024/252.0%
- Somerset
- 3.1%
- England
- 3.1%
1.1 percentage points lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 2.4% | 2.6% | 2.2% |
| 2022/23 | 1.2% | 2.8% | 2.4% |
| 2023/24 | 0.9% | 2.9% | 2.7% |
| 2024/25 | 2.0% | 3.1% | 3.1% |
Pupils with an education, health and care plan. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
First language other than English
2024/254.7%
- Somerset
- 9.5%
- England
- 19.2%
14.5 percentage points lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 2.2% | 6.9% | 17.5% |
| 2022/23 | 2.8% | 8.1% | 18.1% |
| 2023/24 | 4.0% | 8.9% | 18.6% |
| 2024/25 | 4.7% | 9.5% | 19.2% |
Pupils whose first language is known or believed to be other than English. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Teachers
Against Somerset and England, secondary schools.
Pupils per qualified teacher
2025/2617.0
- Somerset
- 17.9
- England
- 17.3
0.3 lower than England.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 17.6 | Not published | 16.5 |
| 2018/19 | 17.0 | Not published | 16.8 |
| 2019/20 | 20.8 | Not published | 17.2 |
| 2020/21 | 20.2 | Not published | 17.1 |
| 2021/22 | 19.6 | Not published | 17.1 |
| 2022/23 | 20.1 | Not published | 17.2 |
| 2023/24 | 19.5 | 18.2 | 17.4 |
| 2024/25 | 17.4 | 18.0 | 17.3 |
| 2025/26 | 17.0 | 17.9 | 17.3 |
Full-time equivalent pupils for each full-time equivalent qualified teacher. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, School workforce in England, 2025/26.
Teacher sickness absence
2024/256.6 days
- Somerset
- 5.2 days
- England
- 5.0 days
1.6 days higher than England.
Compared with all state-funded schools: DfE publishes this measure for all schools, not by phase.
Show the figures as a table
| Year | This school | Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | 6.1 days | Not published | 4.0 days |
| 2018/19 | 5.2 days | Not published | 4.0 days |
| 2019/20 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2020/21 | 2.9 days | Not published | 3.9 days |
| 2021/22 | 8.2 days | Not published | 6.3 days |
| 2022/23 | 8.7 days | 5.7 days | 5.2 days |
| 2023/24 | 6.5 days | 5.4 days | 5.3 days |
| 2024/25 | 6.6 days | 5.2 days | 5.0 days |
Days lost to sickness absence in the school year, averaged across all teachers. Source: Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics, School workforce in England, 2024/25.
Finance
Academies report their accounts as part of their trust, so DfE publishes no school-level balance for this school. The trust’s figures are in DfE’s Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool.
See this school in the Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool
About the school
- Pupils on roll
- 745
- Capacity
- 1,509
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Secondary
- Age range
- 13 to 19
- Sixth form
- Has a sixth form
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Gender
- Mixed
- Trust
- BRIDGWATER & TAUNTON COLLEGE TRUST
- Opened
- 1 June 2011
- Setting
- Urban: Further from a major town or city
- Constituency
- Tiverton and Minehead
- Deprivation of the area (IDACI)
- Decile 3 of 10 (1 is the most deprived tenth of neighbourhoods)
Address: Bircham Road, Alcombe, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6AY
Website: www.westsomersetcollege.org/
Telephone: 01643706061
Sources and corrections
Every figure on this page names its source and period. This release was built on 20 October 2026.
- Department for Education: Get Information about Schools: establishment data (GIAS establishment extract 2026-10-20)
- Ofsted: State-funded school inspections and outcomes: management information (Latest inspections as at 2026-09-30; All inspections, 2018/19; All inspections, 2019/20; All inspections, 2020/21; All inspections, 2021/22; All inspections, 2022/23; All inspections, 2023/24; All inspections, 2024/25; All inspections, 2025/26)
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Pupil absence in schools in England (absence-3term-school, 2013/14 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id])
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England (exc-school, 2006/07 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; exc-ap-school, 2013/14 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; exc-geography, 2006/07 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; exc-ap-geography, 2013/14 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id])
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Key stage 2 attainment (ks2-school, 2022/23 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; ks2-geography, 2015/16 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id])
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Key stage 4 performance (ks4-school, 2023/24 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id]; ks4-geography, 2018/19 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id])
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: Schools, pupils and their characteristics (School census, January 2022 (performance tables, 2021 to 2022); School census, January 2023 (performance tables, 2022 to 2023); School census, January 2024 (performance tables, 2023 to 2024); School census, January 2025 (performance tables, 2024 to 2025))
- Department for Education, Explore Education Statistics: School workforce in England (ptr-school, 2010/11 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id]; ptr-geography, 2010/11 to 2025/26 [pinned data set id]; sickness-school, 2009/10 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id]; sickness-geography, 2009/10 to 2024/25 [pinned data set id])
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: English indices of deprivation 2025: Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (English indices of deprivation 2025, File 7 (2021 LSOAs))
Spotted something wrong? Report a correction with the school’s URN (136791). Fixes go out in the next weekly release.