The Blue School, Wells

From the headteacher's welcome: "The Blue is a remarkable school. Our school is built around our collective community of wonderful individuals, working toward a shared vision. That makes our school a vibrant and exciting place to study and work. The Blue has served the City of Wells and its surrounding communities since 1641. That history is important to us."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include drama, gardening and Duke of Edinburgh.

Coming up: an open evening on Thursday 5 November 2026 at 6pm. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at The Blue School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.3 in Somerset and 47 across England.

41% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 40% in Somerset and 47% in England.

That is down from 49.7 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.19: 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 30.7, against 50.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 19.8 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Design and Technology and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 193 families put The Blue School as their first choice and 252 named it as one of their preferences, for 197 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

Of the 246 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 37% to a further education college, 8% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

Of the 151 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 47% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 30% into work. 20% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

16.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 7.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (84%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 268 pupils (19.7%) received SEN support and 38 (2.8%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of The Blue School.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Cathedral View Nursing Home (s-bound), 120 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 63 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Somerset (22), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, The Blue School issued 281 suspensions, 20.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 5 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to The Blue School are St Joseph and St Teresa Catholic Primary School (0.2 miles), Stoberry Park School (0.6 miles), St Cuthbert's Church of England Junior School (0.6 miles) and St Cuthbert's Church of England Academy Infants and Pre-School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.