Schools by area › Somerset › West Somerset College
West Somerset College
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 13–19 · Academy
Bircham Road, Alcombe, Minehead TA24 6AY · westsomersetcollege.org · 01643 706061
On the mapSearch near TA24 6AY
Overview
- Ofsted
- Report card
- Jan 2026 · graded by area, with no overall grade
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 41.2
- average Attainment 8 score. Somerset 43.5, England 46
- Pupils
- 745
- 49% of 1,509 places
- Local authority
- Somerset
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 26.2%
- First language not English
- 5.1%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 41.2, and 32.6% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Somerset it was 43.5, and across England 46.
In 2024/25 the average A level result was grade C (28.4 points per entry).
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▼41.2 | 46.0 | ||
| ▼32.6% | 45.4% | ||
| ▼54.9% | 64.8% | ||
| ▼25.1% | 40.5% | ||
| ▼3.41 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 29 | −14.3 |
| Sixth form college | 17.7 | +6.4 |
| Further education | 28.5 | +5.8 |
| Other education | 1.1 | +0.1 |
| Apprenticeship | 5.9 | +0.2 |
| Employment | 8.1 | +0.9 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 7.5 | +1.3 |
| Activity not captured | 2.2 | −0.4 |
A levels and other 16 to 18 results
A level average grade
| 2024/25 | Trend | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53 students | C (28.4) | Average -0.01 | |
| 55 students | C- (28.3) | Average -0.03 | |
| 24 students | Merit- (20.8) | Average -0.06 |
| Earlier years: A level | Students | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 57 | C- (26.5) | -0.35 |
| 2022/23 | 47 | D (21.3) | — |
| 2021/22 | 52 | D+ (24.5) | — |
| 2018/19 | 49 | C- (25.7) | -0.53 |
| 2017/18 | 38 | C (29.1) | -0.07 |
| 2016/17 | 54 | D (21.5) | -0.31 |
| 2015/16 | 76 | C (29.2) | +0.22 |
Where sixth-form leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| University | 18.4 | −12.1 |
| Further education | 4.6 | +3.4 |
| Apprenticeship | 4.6 | −5.2 |
| Employment | 49.4 | +14 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 19.5 | 0 |
| Activity not captured | 3.4 | −0.3 |
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected West Somerset College on 20 January 2026 and published a report card: each area has its own grade, and there is no overall grade.
- Inclusion: Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching: Needs attention
- Achievement: Needs attention
- Attendance and behaviour: Needs attention
- Personal development and well-being: Expected standard
- Post-16 provision: Needs attention
- Leadership and governance: Needs attention
- Inspected
- 20 Jan 2026
- Report card
- Safeguarding
- Met
Graded areas
| Inclusion | Expected standard |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and teaching | Needs attention |
| Achievement | Needs attention |
| Attendance and behaviour | Needs attention |
| Personal development and well-being | Expected standard |
| Post-16 provision | Needs attention |
| Leadership and governance | Needs attention |
Previously: Requires improvement, graded inspection, May 2023
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
May 2023Requires improvement
Quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Sixth form Requires improvement Safeguarding Effective Mar 2020Ungraded inspectionConcerns
Safeguarding Effective
Before September 2019
May 2016Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good Leadership and management Good 16 to 19 study programmes Good Safeguarding Effective Oct 2014Inadequate
Outcomes for pupils Inadequate Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate 16 to 19 study programmes Inadequate
What parents said
51% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (76 replies, to 6 April 2026).
- Recommend
- 51%
- Positive
- 44%
- Replies
- 76
- 10% · 6 Apr 2026
based on the 82% who raised concerns
based on 21 parents (28%) whose child was bullied
based on 26 parents (34%) with SEND