West Somerset College
| Type | Secondary / Academy converter |
| Age Range | 13-19 |
| Religion | Does not apply |
| Address | Bircham Road Alcombe Minehead Somerset TA24 6AY |
| Phone | 01643706061 |
| Reference Number | 136791 |
West Somerset College is performing at an expected standard overall, with a notable commitment to safeguarding that is reflected in the positive culture where pupils feel safe and supported. The school has taken steps to identify and address the individual needs of pupils, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). However, despite these efforts, the achievement levels across key stages are concerning, particularly in English and mathematics, where many pupils are not meeting expected standards. Additionally, attendance rates, especially among disadvantaged pupils, remain significantly above national averages, which presents a challenge for the school's leadership.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 760 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 50.13%
Girls: 49.87% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 24.8% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 4.7% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 18.7 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 121 | 105 | 226 |
| 10 | 85 | 108 | 193 |
| 11 | 109 | 110 | 219 |
| 12 | 33 | 28 | 61 |
| 13 | 33 | 28 | 61 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 91.6% |
| White, Other | 3% |
| White & Asian | 1.3% |
| Mixed, Other | 0.8% |
| Unclassified | 0.7% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 0.5% |
| Indian | 0.5% |
| White & Black (African) | 0.5% |
| African | 0.4% |
| Asian, Other | 0.1% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Needs attention |
| > Leadership & Governance | Needs attention |
| > Personal Development & Wellbeing | Expected standard |
| > Achievement | Needs attention |
| > Attendance & Behaviour | Needs attention |
| > Curriculum & Teaching | Needs attention |
| > Inclusion | Expected standard |
| > Post-16 Provision | Needs attention |
| Last Report Date | 20 Jan 2026 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 20 Jan 2026 | School inspection |
| 16 May 2023 | School inspection |
| 03 Mar 2020 | School inspection |
| 17 May 2016 | Full inspection |
| 09 Mar 2016 | Monitoring visit |
| 03 Nov 2015 | Monitoring visit |
| 03 Mar 2015 | Monitoring visit |
| 17 Dec 2014 | Monitoring visit |
| 01 Oct 2014 | Full inspection |
| 19 Jun 2012 | Full inspection |
| 14 Feb 2012 | Academy conversion letter |
| 15 Mar 2010 | Curriculum and development visit |
| Previously as The West Somerset Community College | |
| 15 Mar 2010 | Curriculum and development visit |
| 29 Apr 2009 | Full inspection: |
| 29 Apr 2009 | Full inspection: |
| 03 Jun 2008 | Curriculum and development visit |
| 03 Jun 2008 | Curriculum and development visit |
| 01 Mar 2006 | Full inspection: |
| 01 Mar 2006 | Full inspection: |
| 03 Apr 2000 | Full inspection |
| 03 Apr 2000 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Strong safeguarding practices have been established.
- Leaders effectively identify the individual needs of pupils, especially those with SEND.
- Positive relationships foster a supportive school environment.
- Pupils participate in opportunities that enhance their social skills.
Areas for Improvement
- Most pupils’ achievement in key subjects is not high enough.
- Significantly above average rates of pupil absence.
- Persistent disruptive behavior from some pupils remains unaddressed.
Points
| Points | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Points | 28.3 | ||
| Average Points (best 3) | 30.78 |
Grades
| School | Local | Nationwide | |
| Average Grade | C- | B- | C+ |
| Average Grade (best 3) | C | B- | C+ |
| Percentage | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students getting AAB or better | 3.3% |
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| Unknown |
| Name | Distance |
|
Minehead Middle School
Ponsford Road, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5RH |
0.48 miles |
|
Minehead First School
Townsend Road, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5RG |
0.77 miles |
|
St Michael's Church of England First School
Watery Lane, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5NY |
1.08 miles |
|
Dunster First School
13 St George's Street, Dunster, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6RX |
1.11 miles |
|
Timberscombe Church of England First School
Timberscombe, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 7TY |
2.43 miles |
|
Old Cleeve Church of England First School
Huish Lane, Washford, Somerset, TA23 0PB |
4.9 miles |
| Name | Distance |