Schools across Somerset

Local authority · 311 schools across 46 towns

Total Schools

311

219 primary · 37 secondary

Total Pupils

78,313

84% capacity used

Ofsted Rated

86

5 outstanding · 81 good

Capacity

92,837

14,524 spare places

Ofsted Ratings

81
30
190
Outstanding: 5
Good: 81
Requires Improvement: 30
Inadequate: 5
Not inspected: 190

Area Performance (2025)

KS2 Reading

71.8%

KS2 Maths

68.8%

School Capacity

Primary Schools

88% full
39,232 pupils44,749 capacity

5,517 spare places

Secondary Schools

81% full
28,000 pupils34,671 capacity

6,671 spare places

Pupil Absence

Avg Overall Absence

6.5%

2024/25

Avg Persistent Absence

15.5%

2024/25

Schools Reporting

252

2024/25

Absence trend across Somerset schools

4.7%
18/19
4.1%
20/21
7.3%
21/22
6.8%
22/23
7%
23/24
6.5%
24/25

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.

EHCP Timeliness

Issued Within 20 Weeks

34%

Plans Issued

567

Assessment Requests

1,207

Tribunal Cases

106

EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)

21%
2019
34%
2020
64%
2021
70%
2022
42%
2023
34%
2024

Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.

Admission Appeals

2025 admission appeals by school phase

Primary

6,722 admissions

287

Lodged

(4.3%)

137

Heard

14

Successful

(10%)

Primary (infant classes)

5,569 admissions

105

Lodged

(1.9%)

69

Heard

3

Successful

(4%)

Secondary

6,640 admissions

200

Lodged

(3.0%)

116

Heard

17

Successful

(15%)

Total

13,362 admissions

487

Lodged

(3.6%)

253

Heard

31

Successful

(12%)

Total appeals lodged per year

797
2019
832
2020
809
2021
631
2022
695
2023
882
2024
1079
2025

Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.