Schools by area › Somerset › Polden Bower School
Polden Bower School
All-through · Mixed · Ages 4–19 · Foundation special school
Bower Lane, Bridgwater TA6 4GU · poldenbower.org.uk · 01278 496386
Overview
- Ofsted
- Good
- 2019 framework · inspected May 2024
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 0.5
- average Attainment 8 score. Somerset 43.5, England 46
- Pupils
- 260
- 60 over 200 places · 130%
- Local authority
- Somerset
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Free school meals
- 42.4%
- First language not English
- 8.5%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 0.5, and 0% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Somerset it was 43.5, and across England 46.
In 2024/25, 0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage 2, and 0% the higher standard. Across Somerset it was 57%, and across England 62%.
Key stage 2 results
Expected standard reading, writing and maths
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, writing and maths | |||
| ▼0% | 62% | ||
| ▼0% | 8% | ||
| Average scaled score | |||
| Reading | n/a | 106 | |
| Maths | n/a | 105 | |
| Grammar and spelling | n/a | 105 | |
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▼0.5 | 46.0 | ||
| ▼0.0% | 45.4% | ||
| ▼0.0% | 64.8% | ||
| ▼0.0% | 40.5% | ||
| EBacc average points | ▼0.00 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Further education | 47.6 | +0.9 |
| Other education | 52.4 | +5.7 |
Ofsted
Polden Bower School was judged Good at its last graded inspection, on 21 May 2024, under Ofsted’s 2019 framework.
- Overall
- Good
- Inspected
- 21 May 2024
- Graded inspection
Safeguarding effectiveInspection reports
Graded areas
| Quality of education | Good |
|---|---|
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
Previously: Remains Good, ungraded inspection, Mar 2019
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
Apr 2022Monitoring visit
Safeguarding Met
Before September 2019
Mar 2019Ungraded inspectionRemains Good
Safeguarding Effective Apr 2015Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good 16 to 19 study programmes Good Jun 2013Requires improvement
Outcomes for pupils Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Leadership and management Good
What parents said
69% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (36 replies, to 7 April 2025).
- Recommend
- 69%
- Replies
- 36
- 16% · 7 Apr 2025
based on the 86% who raised concerns
based on the 44% who had a child bullied
based on 36 parents (100%) with SEND