University Centre Somerset College Group, Bridgwater
University Centre Somerset College Group is a post-16 school for pupils aged 16 to 99 in Bridgwater.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
University Centre Somerset College Group in detail
Where pupils go next
Of the 1490 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 10% went on to university or other higher education, 16% to apprenticeships and 43% into work. 3% went to one of the most selective third of universities.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Bridgwater Rail Station, about 430 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).
10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bridgwater College (e-bound), 90 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood University Centre Somerset College Group stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 558 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.
Sources: DfE destination measures; 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
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's November 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The college creates a highly supportive culture where students and apprentices thrive and feel proud to study. Teachers excel at preparing learners for real workplaces through excellent use of industry-standard facilities and strong employer partnerships. The college makes an outstanding contribution to meeting local skills needs while helping students with additional needs develop independence and confidence for employment.
Key Strengths
- Teachers set ambitious personalised goals and provide exceptional support to help students and apprentices achieve them
- Curriculum is highly relevant and closely aligned with local skills needs and employer demands
- Students with high needs receive expert support with tailored programmes preparing them effectively for employment
- Extensive enrichment activities build essential employability skills and boost participation
- Facilities mirror modern workplaces, providing hands-on experience with current and emerging technologies
Safeguarding
Staff ensure that students and apprentices are safe, well supported, and fully prepared for future success, providing a secure and welcoming environment and challenging inappropriate behaviour swiftly and effectively.
Extracurricular Activities
Charitable events, sports, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Combined Cadet Force, tutor group challenge fundraising, employer-led work experience placements
Bridgwater and Taunton College is a large further education college with three campuses in Somerset offering a broad range of academic and vocational courses from entry to degree level. The college has been rated as Outstanding across all areas of inspection.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Special Measures
Sixth Form Performance (A-Level)
A-Level Results
C
Average grade
29.1
Points per entry
C-
Best 3 A-Levels
3%
Achieving AAB+
Below average
Value added
117
A-Level students
74%
Retention rate
2024/25 academic year
A-Level Subjects Offered
+ 6 more subjects
2024/25 academic year - entries by number of students
After A-Levels - Leaver Destinations
After A-Levels (Year 13) - 1,490 students
2023/24 data
University & Higher Education Destinations
3%
Top-third university
25%
Degree course
34%
Any L4+ destination
4%
Apprenticeships
Based on 774 students completing 16-18 study
2022/23 cohort - "Top-third" = most selective third of UK universities by student intake
Keep up with University Centre Somerset College Group
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 17
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 5
- Children hurt
- 3
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 17 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 5 serious and 12 slight.
3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot.
4 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
Area Demand Pressure - Bridgwater
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Bridgwater
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.
Inspection History(8)
Questions parents ask about University Centre Somerset College Group
What is the catchment area for University Centre Somerset College Group?
No fixed boundary. When University Centre Somerset College Group is oversubscribed, Somerset allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How do I apply to University Centre Somerset College Group?
Apply through Somerset's coordinated admissions process, naming University Centre Somerset College Group on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near University Centre Somerset College Group?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 17 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 5 serious and 12 slight. 3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 3 on foot. 4 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 University Centre Somerset College Group?
University Centre Somerset College Group is at Bath Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4PZ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)