Robert Blake Academy
Bridgwater, TA6 6AW · Somerset · secondary school
Check the area around this school
25th 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.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2024/25 | 37.8 · 32 | 30% | 0.96 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.53 · 15 | 25% | 0.36 |
| Attainment 8 2024/25 | 42.9 · 34 | 10% | 0.33 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Robert Blake Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 37.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. The Attainment 8 score was 42.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 for 2023/24 was -0.53, indicating pupils made less progress than the national average for those starting from the same point. Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement in November 2023.
Getting in
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 8 score and the national median? What specific actions are being taken to improve Progress 8 scores following the 2023 inspection? How does the school monitor individual progress in English and maths to ensure pupils reach Grade 5?
What Ofsted said about Robert Blake Academy
Overview
The inspection found that while pupils behave well and feel safe, the school’s overall effectiveness requires improvement. Leaders have raised expectations for conduct, resulting in positive attitudes, but academic outcomes remain disappointing due to inconsistent curriculum implementation and ineffective assessment practices. The report highlights a lack of clear planning to address these educational priorities.
Strengths
- Pupils "behave well" and follow "clear and consistent routines" that they perceive as fair.
- New arrivals, including those speaking English as an additional language, are helped to "settle in quickly."
- Pupils benefit from a "well-structured careers programme" and enjoy wider opportunities such as clubs and student council roles.
- Staff act "decisively" when pupils raise worries, and pupils feel they have a "trusted adult" to talk to.
- Older pupils demonstrate an "appropriate understanding of consent" and learn about democracy and active citizenship.
Areas to improve
- Assessment is not used effectively to identify and address gaps in pupils’ learning, allowing misconceptions to persist.
- Some subject areas have not finalised their curriculum thinking, preventing pupils from building the necessary depth of knowledge.
- The school lacks a clear plan to address the priority of improving pupils’ outcomes, and reading skills are not yet fully embedded.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 37.7 |
| 2023/24 | 38.6 |
| 2024/25 | 42.9 |
| England | 44.6 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,611 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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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