Kingsmead Academy, Taunton

In its own words: "Our goal is to ensure that all of our students make progress and fulfil their potential. We ensure that every student can be the best they can be and prepare them to play their part in society."

From the headteacher's welcome: "A triangle of partnership is the linchpin formed between school, students and parents/carers to support students to make the best possible choices. We believe that quality teaching is achieved with passion and energy, producing experiences that inspire, challenge and provide opportunities for young people to take charge of their own learning."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, tennis, basketball, choir, chess, STEM and art.

In 2026, pupils at Kingsmead Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 41.6, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.3 in Somerset and 47 across England.

30% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 40% in Somerset and 47% in England.

That is down from 43.8 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.32: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 30.7, against 45.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 14.4 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 25 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Geography, History and Combined Science.

For September 2026 entry, 141 families put Kingsmead Academy as their first choice and 191 named it as one of their preferences, for 167 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

Kingsmead Academy is one of 36 schools run by Cabot Learning Federation, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 43.5 in 2024/25.

170 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Kingsmead Academy (as of September 2025): 78% would recommend the school, 85% say their child is happy there and 66% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (88%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (63%).

Of the 184 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 80% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 30% to a further education college, 7% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Kingsmead Academy.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Kingsmead School (s-bound), 70 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 10 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and weapons possession. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Somerset (22).

In 2024/25, Kingsmead Academy issued 459 suspensions, 52.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.