Monkton Wood Academy
Taunton, TA2 8PD · Somerset · secondary school
Check the area around this school
27th 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.
Narrow the comparison to the 895 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.3/10 among them, against 3.0/10 nationally. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 37.1 · 30 | 45% | 1.36 |
| Ofsted | 1 | 40% | 0.03 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.2 · 30 | 15% | 0.45 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Monkton Wood Academy overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Inadequate by Ofsted in June 2025. In 2024/25, 35.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.8 out of 10 among them, against 2.8 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,267 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,410. 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 leadership team plan to address the Inadequate rating identified in the 2025 inspection? What specific support structures are in place to help pupils improve their Attainment 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Monkton Wood Academy
Overview
This urgent inspection confirms that leaders have taken effective action to improve behaviour and secure "consistently positive attitudes to learning" since the school opened as an academy. The report states that arrangements for safeguarding are effective, addressing previous concerns about pupil safety and conduct.
Strengths
- Lessons are "typically calm" with "little low-level disruption," and staff and pupils are clear about expectations.
- Safeguarding processes are "robust and well managed," with comprehensive records and rigorous follow-up of concerns.
- Pupils form "positive relationships," bullying is not tolerated, and attendance rates are rising due to effective school actions.
- The trust has provided significant support, helping to stabilise staffing and establish ambitious expectations for behaviour.
Areas to improve
- Expectations for pupil achievement in lessons are "not high enough," leading to some pupils not being "as engaged in their learning as they should be."
- Approaches to managing behaviour are "not working as well as they need to for a minority of vulnerable pupils," who do not consistently comply with expectations.
- Systems to track and analyse behaviour incidents "lack the same level of precision and sharpness" as those for attendance, limiting targeted improvements.
Safeguarding
The report states that "safeguarding processes are robust and well managed," with knowledgeable staff referring concerns appropriately and pupils receiving necessary care and support.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 41.4 |
| 2025/26 | 42.2 |
| 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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