Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #4 in Somerset public Top 15% UK

The Blue School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Mark Woodlock

corporate_fareTHE BLUE SCHOOL

location_onWells, BA5 2NR

language Visit Website phone 1749678799

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2017

groups

Students

1,464

trending_up

Attainment 8

49.7

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#4 in Somerset

#971 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Blue School is a Academy converter secondary school in Wells, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

The Blue School is an academy converter in Wells, Somerset, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE BLUE SCHOOL. The school has approximately 1,357 pupils on roll, of whom 19% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 49.7, placing the school #4 in Somerset and #971 of 3,216 nationally. 50.60% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 23.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 17 A-level subjects. 53.3% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 30.1% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.05 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2017. The school's current overall rating is Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 19.4:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 3 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 8.3 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

49.7

Grade 5+ E&M

50.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)23.8%

Entering EBacc32.20%

EBacc APS4.35

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.19

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc26.40%

EBacc APS4.19

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.27

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc35%

EBacc APS4.27

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.22

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc31%

EBacc APS4.52

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc35%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.13

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc24%

EBacc APS4.11

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc27%

EBacc APS4.17

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships8%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.05

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

101

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*10.3%

Achieving A*–A30.1%

Achieving A*–B53.3%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate96.0%

A-level subjects offered17

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.21

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

133

Retention rate96.20%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

109

Retention rate99.10%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

130

Retention rate99.2%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

17 May 2023

Inspection Report

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17 October 2017

Inspection Report

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23 October 2013

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2017-10-17

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-10-23

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

8.5%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

4.8%(65 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,357 pupils. During this period, there were 115 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 8.5%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,357	115	8.5%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,362	112	8.2%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,420	83	5.8%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,434	113	7.9%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,430	115	8.0%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,466	104	7.1%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,464	80	5.5%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,466	82	5.6%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,501	51	3.4%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,500	56	3.7%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,514	83	5.5%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,498	42	2.8%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,508	10	0.7%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,514	62	4.1%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,474	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,474	63	4.3%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,472	94	6.4%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,503	98	6.5%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,514	76	5.0%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,519	83	5.5%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,619	60	3.7%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,618	50	3.1%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,635	50	3.1%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,640	58	3.5%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,641	27	1.6%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,644	42	2.6%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Specific Learning Difficulty 81 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 67 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 42 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 34 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 31 pupils

Physical Disability 9 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 7 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

82.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

82.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

20.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree28%

agree43%

disagree16%

strongly disagree9%

don't know5%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree22%

agree42%

disagree19%

strongly disagree10%

don't know7%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree34%

agree23%

disagree14%

strongly disagree8%

don't know3%

not applicable18%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes28%

no72%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree21%

agree27%

disagree31%

strongly disagree16%

dont know4%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree39%

agree39%

disagree12%

strongly disagree5%

don't know6%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree40%

agree40%

disagree11%

strongly disagree6%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree36%

agree42%

disagree15%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree46%

agree47%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree50%

agree41%

disagree4%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree37%

agree36%

disagree12%

strongly disagree6%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes82%

no18%

Top Secondary Schools in Somerset

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

The Castle School

Outstanding

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emoji_events #1 in LA

Sexey's School

Good

location_on Bruton, BA10 0DF

emoji_events #2 in LA

Huish Episcopi Academy

Inadequate

location_on LANGPORT, TA10 9SS

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Haygrove School

Good

location_on Bridgwater, TA6 7HW

emoji_events #5 in LA

The Kings of Wessex Academy

Good

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emoji_events #6 in LA

Bishop Fox's School

Good

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View all schools in Somerset arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Church of England)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Somerset

The Castle School

Sexey's School

Huish Episcopi Academy

Haygrove School

The Kings of Wessex Academy

Bishop Fox's School