West Somerset College

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.

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.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at West Somerset College attended 86.2% of sessions (the national figure for secondary schools was 91.6%). 37.6% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 23.4%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 19.6% of pupils at West Somerset College were suspended at least once (nationally 7.3%). One pupil was permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 West Somerset College had 16.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for secondary schools was 16.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 17.3% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.1%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 18.3% of pupils at West Somerset College were on SEN support (nationally 14.1%) and 2.6% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 3.5%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded secondary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2022–23 West Somerset College received £7,034 and spent £7,142 for each of its 775 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £211,000 (£272 per pupil).

Across all 8 schools of Bridgwater & Taunton College Trust, income was £7,660 and spending £7,853 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Minehead · Somerset local authority: places and applications

West Somerset College is part of Bridgwater & Taunton College Trust, which runs 8 schools. The nearest others:

• Brymore Academy Bridgwater
• Otterhampton Primary School Bridgwater
• Hamp Academy Bridgwater
• Bridgwater College Academy Bridgwater
• Brookside Community Primary School Street
• Stanchester Academy Stoke-Sub-Hamdon
• Maiden Beech Academy Crewkerne

What is West Somerset College's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for West Somerset College is Needs attention, from an inspection in March 2026.

When was West Somerset College last inspected by Ofsted?

West Somerset College was last inspected in March 2026.

How many pupils does West Somerset College have?

West Somerset College has 745 pupils on roll.

What age range does West Somerset College cover?

West Somerset College for pupils aged 13 to 19.

Where is West Somerset College?

West Somerset College is at Bircham Road, Alcombe, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6AY.