West Somerset College, Minehead

Ofsted's report card from its 20 January 2026 inspection grades West Somerset College on 7 areas: 2 expected standard and 5 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that pupils' individual needs are identified accurately and promptly."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils follow a suitable relationships education programme."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Most pupils' achievement is not as high as it should be."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Pupil absence and persistent absence are significantly above national averages."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "In too many lessons, pupils do not learn as well as they should."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders have created much-needed stability at the school following a period of change."

Post 16 provision - Needs attention. "Leaders have designed a post-16 study programme that is suitable to meet students' aspirations and the school's context."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should ensure that rates of absence and persistent absence, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, reduce further so that pupils maximise their opportunities for learning and benefiting from the school's wider opportunities. • Leaders should ensure that pupils who have gaps in their basic knowledge and skills receive effective teaching to close these gaps so that more pupils secure the expected standards in English and mathematics. • Leaders should strengthen the quality of teaching across the curriculum so that pupils and students typically achieve well in national examinations. • Leaders should take action to reduce persistent disruptive behaviour so that the school's ethos is embedded effectively in all areas".

In its own words: "At West Somerset College, we believe every student is unique and full of potential. That is why we are committed to delivering a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum, enriched with diverse opportunities that enable every learner to thrive-regardless of their starting point. Our vision is to empower students to succeed on equal terms with their peers."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At West Somerset College we have high expectations for your child; we will support them to work hard, develop resilience, perform academically and flourish into young people who are fully equipped for the next stage in their learning journey, further education or the world of work."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include drama and photography.

Coming up: an open day on Thursday 3 December 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at West Somerset College averaged an Attainment 8 score of 42.2, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.3 in Somerset and 47 across England.

36% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 40% in Somerset and 47% in England.

That is up from 41.2 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.5: pupils made well 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 31.8, against 45.3 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 13.5 points.

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

Across Somerset, 92% of families were offered their first-choice secondary school for 2026 entry, and 98% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Somerset lodged 133 appeals against secondary school offers; 99 reached a hearing and 10 succeeded (10.1% of those heard).

West Somerset College is one of 8 schools run by Bridgwater & Taunton College Trust, an academy trust.

76 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about West Somerset College (as of April 2026): 51% would recommend the school, 62% say their child is happy there and 40% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (67%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (40%).

Of the 186 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 76% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 29% to a further education college, 6% to an apprenticeship and 8% into work.

Of the 87 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 18% went on to university or other higher education, 5% to apprenticeships and 49% into work. 6% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

5.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 136 pupils (18.3%) received SEN support and 19 (2.6%) 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.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Minehead (West Somerset Railway), about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is West Somerset College (e-bound), 130 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 65 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences 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, West Somerset College issued 526 suspensions, 69.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to West Somerset College are Minehead First School (0.8 miles), St Michael's Church of England First School (1.1 miles) and Dunster First School (1.1 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.