Stanchester Academy
Stoke-sub-Hamdon, TA14 6UG · Somerset · secondary school
Check the area around this school
10th 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 910 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.1/10 among them, against 4.6/10 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 | 46.1 · 53 | 46% | 2.44 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.17 · 37 | 38% | 1.43 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.9 · 49 | 15% | 0.76 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Stanchester Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 47.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.17 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally similar peers. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.2 out of 10 among them, against 4.8 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 829 pupils against a stated capacity of 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 who are falling behind in English and maths? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Stanchester Academy
Overview
The inspection found that while the school day is “well organised and purposeful” with “supportive relationships” between staff and pupils, several key areas require improvement. The report notes that pupils do not learn some aspects of the curriculum in enough depth, leading to struggles with complex ideas and historically poor GCSE results. Additionally, while behaviour has improved, there remain groups of pupils who do not yet reflect the school’s high expectations, and attendance for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs remains a concern.
Strengths
- Reading is “at the centre of school life,” with a rich English curriculum that develops knowledge and vocabulary.
- Personal development is rated Good, with pupils receiving “valuable guidance” and “strong” careers education.
- The school effectively addresses poor behaviour, including bullying, and pupils enjoy clubs and trips that broaden their horizons.
- Most pupils focus on their learning, and lessons typically proceed without disruption.
Areas to improve
- The trust must ensure pupils build “detailed knowledge in each subject” as current work is often too simple and lacks depth.
- Assessment improvements are not consistent; the trust should ensure teaching is “responsive to any insecure knowledge” to address persistent gaps.
- The school needs to help pupils sustain improvements in behaviour and attendance, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
- Support for pupils with additional needs is sometimes unclear; the trust must ensure the purpose of support is clear and its impact is checked.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.9 |
| 2024/25 | 43.7 |
| 2025/26 | 45.9 |
| 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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