Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #28 in Somerset public Top 44% UK

Bridgwater College Academy

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

personHeadteacher Tamsin Grainger

corporate_fareBRIDGWATER & TAUNTON COLLEGE TRUST

location_onBridgwater, TA6 4QY

language Visit Website phone 1278727327

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,568

trending_up

Attainment 8

31.9

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#28 in Somerset

#3,145 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Bridgwater College Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Bridgwater, serving ages 3-16. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

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School Summary

Bridgwater College Academy is an academy sponsor led in Bridgwater, Somerset, admitting pupils aged 3-16. It is part of BRIDGWATER & TAUNTON COLLEGE TRUST. The school has approximately 1,576 pupils on roll, of whom 37% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 31.9, placing the school #28 in Somerset and #3,145 of 3,216 nationally. 16.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 4.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

In 2025, 25% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined, with 4% achieving the higher standard. The school ranks #149 of 28 primaries in Somerset and #14,269 of 3,216 nationally.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Requires improvement, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

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

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.1:1. There are 2 teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 10 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 35.0 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

31.9

Grade 5+ E&M

16.00%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)4.5%

Entering EBacc79.70%

EBacc APS2.85

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.8

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc84.90%

EBacc APS3.07

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.45

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

34.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc25%

EBacc APS3.01

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.41

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc10%

EBacc APS3.27

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc7%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

37.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc7%

EBacc APS3.09

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.21

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11%

EBacc APS3.68

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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

87%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

87%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)75%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)13%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)76%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)11%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships6%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

school

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

25%

LA 57%

Reading46% LA 72%

Writing38% LA 69%

Maths42% LA 69%

Read SS

100

Maths SS

GPS SS

101

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

46%

LA 55%England 61%

Reading56% LA 72% · Eng 74%

Writing71% LA 68% · Eng 72%

Maths63% LA 67% · Eng 73%

Read SS

100

Maths SS

101

GPS SS

101

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

49%

LA 54%England 60%

Reading63% LA 71% · Eng 73%

Writing65% LA 68% · Eng 71%

Maths59% LA 67% · Eng 73%

Read SS

101

Maths SS

101

GPS SS

100

Progress (0 = national avg)

-1.7

Read

LA -0.5

-3.1 to -0.2

0.2

Write

LA -0.4

-1.1 to 1.6

-1.1

Maths

LA -1.4

-2.4 to 0.2

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

48%

LA 60%England 65%

Reading52% LA 70% · Eng 73%

Writing63% LA 75% · Eng 78%

Maths77% LA 73% · Eng 79%

Read SS

101

Maths SS

104

GPS SS

101

Progress (0 = national avg)

-2.3

Read

LA -0.8

-3.6 to -0.9

-1.7

Write

LA -0.4

-3.0 to -0.5

0.5

Maths

LA -1.4

-0.7 to 1.7

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

39%

LA 63%

Reading45% LA 77%

Writing67% LA 78%

Maths64% LA 73%

Read SS

Maths SS

101

GPS SS

100

Progress (0 = national avg)

-3.2

Read

LA -0.2

-4.7 to -1.7

0.4

Write

LA -0.3

-1 to 1.8

-1.2

Maths

LA -1.0

-2.5 to 0.1

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

10 May 2023

Inspection Report

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04 February 2020

Inspection Report

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28 June 2016

Inspection Report

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25 September 2014

Inspection Report

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15 May 2014

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2023-05-10

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2016-06-28

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2014-05-15

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

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

34.1%per term

warning Above Average

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

10.0%(158 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

6pupils

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 1,576 pupils. During this period, there were 538 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 34.1%, 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)	1,576	538	34.1%	7.3%	6
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,573	564	35.9%	7.8%	4
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,578	509	32.3%	7.4%	4
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,595	605	37.9%	7.1%	4
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,584	514	32.4%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,579	455	28.8%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,568	314	20.0%	6.4%	4
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,557	175	11.2%	5.9%	2
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,521	32	2.1%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,514	133	8.8%	4.9%	2
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,505	110	7.3%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,426	122	8.6%	3.6%	2
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,422	32	2.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,410	101	7.2%	3.9%	1
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,396	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,396	114	8.2%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,411	147	10.4%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,344	53	3.9%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,321	78	5.9%	3.8%	2
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,317	112	8.5%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,268	102	8.0%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,275	91	7.1%	3.0%	2
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,268	67	5.3%	3.7%	2
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,247	48	3.8%	3.0%	3
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,234	50	4.1%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,232	43	3.5%	3.1%	3

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 145 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 124 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 88 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 34 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 22 pupils

Physical Disability 15 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 6 pupils

Hearing Impairment 5 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

72.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

72.0%Positive

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

17.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree26%

agree43%

disagree14%

strongly disagree13%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree23%

agree42%

disagree21%

strongly disagree11%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree29%

agree27%

disagree14%

strongly disagree17%

don't know1%

not applicable11%

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

yes27%

no73%

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

strongly agree26%

agree24%

disagree21%

strongly disagree24%

dont know5%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree38%

agree41%

disagree5%

strongly disagree10%

don't know6%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree39%

agree37%

disagree11%

strongly disagree13%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree29%

agree41%

disagree19%

strongly disagree9%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree29%

agree51%

disagree11%

strongly disagree6%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree41%

agree46%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know4%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree27%

agree27%

disagree21%

strongly disagree11%

don't know14%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes70%

no30%

Top Secondary Schools in Somerset

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

The Castle School

Outstanding

location_on Taunton, TA1 5AU

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

emoji_events #3 in LA

The Blue School

Good

location_on Wells, BA5 2NR

emoji_events #4 in LA

Haygrove School

Good

location_on Bridgwater, TA6 7HW

emoji_events #5 in LA

The Kings of Wessex Academy

Good

location_on Cheddar, BS27 3AQ

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Somerset arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Primary Admission Trends

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

The Blue School

Haygrove School

The Kings of Wessex Academy