Bridgwater College Academy
Bridgwater, TA6 4QY · Somerset · all-through school
Check the area around this school
28th of 28 secondary schools in Somerset we can score, 35 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.4/10 against 621 of them, against 0.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 1 | 35% | 0.05 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 19.2 · 3 | 30% | 0.09 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.8 · 6 | 25% | 0.14 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 33.8 · 4 | 10% | 0.04 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bridgwater College Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 16.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 31.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.8 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Hoot Club and participate in badminton, basketball, dodgeball, futsal, football, rounders, and squash. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,561 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,880. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific support is available for students who need to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the new Ofsted framework affect day
What Ofsted said about Bridgwater College Academy
Overview
The report states that the school "requires special measures" because it is "failing to provide an acceptable standard of education" and leaders are not demonstrating the capacity to secure necessary improvement. While safeguarding standards are met and the early years curriculum is well-designed, significant weaknesses in teaching, behaviour, attendance, and achievement affect pupils across all phases.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
- The early years curriculum is "broad and increasingly prepares children well" for the transition to Year 1.
- Careers provision is a "notable strength," raising aspirations and helping pupils consider "appropriate next steps."
- Pupils enjoy a range of extra-curricular activities, including clubs and trips, which "develop pupils’ talents and interest."
- Staff in the early years build "positive relationships with families" and work with professionals to support individual needs.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure teachers have the expertise to teach the curriculum effectively so that "attainment rises for all pupils."
- Clear expectations and routines must be established so that "pupils behave well and engage positively with their learning," addressing frequent disruption and bullying.
- Effective systems are needed to "accurately and swiftly identify pupils' barriers to learning" and provide appropriate support, particularly in the secondary phase.
Safeguarding
The report confirms that safeguarding standards are met, noting that leaders have established an open culture where "pupils are made safer and feel safe."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 33.0 |
| 2024/25 | 31.9 |
| 2025/26 | 33.8 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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