Somerset Progressive School, Taunton
Somerset Progressive School is a special school for pupils aged 7 to 19 in Taunton.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Somerset Progressive School in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Somerset Progressive School are Cambian Somerset School (2.3 miles, Good); Silver Bridge School (3.7 miles, Good); The Sky Academy (4.1 miles); and Selworthy Special School (4.3 miles, Good).
Cambian Somerset SchoolSilver Bridge SchoolThe Sky AcademySelworthy Special School
Who goes there
Almost every pupil at Somerset Progressive School has an education, health and care plan (65 of 65 in 2026).
Somerset Progressive School is approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014, so parents can ask for it to be named in their child's education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Somerset Progressive School.
2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bath Cottage (e-bound), 90 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 2 crimes within a mile of the school, most often other theft and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Somerset (22).
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Pupils at Somerset Progressive School (SPS) have had negative experiences of education in the past. Many have had significant periods when they did not attend school at all. Pupils' attendance improves dramatically once they start at the school because they trust that staff will help them.
Warm relationships underpin the calm, friendly atmosphere. Pupils are polite and considerate. Pupils learn without interruption because the curriculum is appropriate, and staff know how to support them. Pupils learn to identify and manage their feelings, using strategies that are bespoke for their individual needs. Pupils are safe and happy at school.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
All pupils at SPS have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The curriculum and school environment are well designed to meet these needs. The curriclulum is broad and ambitious for all pupils.
Teachers have the subject expertise they need to explain new knowledge clearly. Lessons include opportunities for pupils to revisit previous learning so that they remember more and build on what they know. Teachers check what pupils have learned. However, they do not always know precisely what knowledge pupils need to acquire at each stage and in every subject.
From Ofsted's June 2024 inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
Approved
Section 41
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Somerset Progressive School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 2
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 2 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 0 serious and 1 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Somerset is 3 (the median across 307 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
100%
Full
65 pupils
65 places
No spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Taunton
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Taunton
Across Somerset council
Places available
4,902
Applications
4,659
Got 1st preference
92.1%
Got preferred school
97.7%
All secondary applications across Somerset council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
65
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Somerset Progressive School is approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014, so parents can ask for it to be named in their child's education, health and care (EHC) plan.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
65
Total Pupils
45
Boys
20
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Somerset Progressive School
Questions parents ask about Somerset Progressive School
What are GCSE results like at Somerset Progressive School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Somerset Progressive School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
How many pupils go to Somerset Progressive School?
Somerset Progressive School has around 65 pupils on roll.
Does Somerset Progressive School have specialist SEN provision?
Somerset Progressive School is approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014, so parents can ask for it to be named in their child's education, health and care (EHC) plan.
How do I apply to Somerset Progressive School?
Somerset Progressive School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Somerset Progressive School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 2 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 0 serious and 1 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Somerset is 3 (the median across 307 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Somerset Progressive School?
Somerset Progressive School is at Bath House Farm, West Hatch, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 5RH.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)