Preston School Academy, Yeovil

In its own words: "At Preston School, our vision - Achieving Excellence, Inspiring Ambition, For Every Pupil, Every Day - is at the heart of everything we do. We wholeheartedly believe in the power of this vision to transform lives, and we are committed to embedding it into every decision we make as a school."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am exceptionally proud to be the Headteacher at Preston, a school which carefully balances some of the very highest academic achievement in Somerset with a level of outstanding pastoral support that means our students are happy, enjoy their education, and leave us ready to take on the world."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, hockey, cricket, basketball, badminton, dance, drama and choir.

In 2026, pupils at Preston School Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.3, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.3 in Somerset and 47 across England.

48% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 40% in Somerset and 47% in England.

That is up from 45.9 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.23: pupils made above 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 38.7, against 51.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 12.7 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 23 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and Business Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 185 families put Preston School Academy as their first choice and 382 named it as one of their preferences, for 205 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Preston School Academy are Westfield Academy (0.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45.6); Buckler's Mead School (1.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45.3); and Stanchester Academy (3.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45.9).

Preston School Academy's 2026 results were higher than all 3 of them.

Preston School Academy is one of 44 schools run by Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.4 in 2024/25.

Of the 198 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 86% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 71% to a further education college, 8% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

In 2026, 91 pupils (9.1%) received SEN support and 48 (4.8%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

Preston School Academy has a resourced provision for autism: 20 places, 17 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Yeovil Pen Mill Rail Station, about 1.9 miles away in a straight line.

17 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Preston School (n-bound), 160 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 209 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Somerset (22), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Preston School Academy issued 92 suspensions, 9.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 2 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Preston School Academy are Preston CofE Primary School (0.4 miles), Oaklands Primary School (0.5 miles), Huish Primary School (0.8 miles) and Holy Trinity Church School (0.9 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.