West Somerset College
Catchment Area, Reviews and Key Information

Secondary
Post 16
PUPILS
775
AGES
13 - 19
GENDER
Mixed
TYPE
Academy converter
SCHOOL GUIDE RATING
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Can I Get My Child Into This School?

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This pupil heat map shows where pupils currently attending the school live.
The concentration of pupils shows likelihood of admission based on distance criteria

Source: All attending pupils National School Census Data, ONS
0845 456 4038

This School Guide heat map has been plotted using official pupil data taken from the last School Census collected by the Department for Education. It is a visualisation of where pupils lived at the time of the annual School Census.

Our heat maps use groups of postcodes, not individual postcodes, and have naturally soft edges. All pupils are included in the mapping (i.e. children with siblings already at the school, high priority pupils and selective and/or religious admissions) but we may have removed statistical ‘outliers’ with more remote postcodes that do not reflect majority admissions.

For some schools, the heat map may be a useful indicator of the catchment area but our heat maps are not the same as catchment area maps. Catchment area maps, published by the school or local authority, are based on geographical admissions criteria and show actual cut-off distances and pre-defined catchment areas for a single admission year.

This information is provided as a guide only. The criteria in which schools use to allocate places in the event that they are oversubscribed can and do vary between schools and over time. These criteria can include distance from the school and sometimes specific catchment areas but can also include, amongst others, priority for siblings, children of a particular faith or specific feeder schools. Living in an area where children have previously attended a school does not guarantee admission to the school in future years. Always check with the school’s own admission authority for the current admission arrangements.

3 steps to help parents gather catchment information for a school:

  1. Look at our school catchment area guide for more information on heat maps. They give a useful indicator of the general areas that admit pupils to the school. This visualisation is based on all attending pupils present at the time of the annual School Census.
  2. Use the link to the Local Authority Contact (above) to find catchment area information based on a single admission year. This is very important if you are considering applying to a school.
  3. On each school page, use the link to visit the school website and find information on individual school admissions criteria. Geographical criteria are only applied after pupils have been admitted on higher priority criteria such as Looked After Children, SEN, siblings, etc.

How Does The School Perform?

Requires Improvement
NATIONAL AVG. 2.09
Ofsted Inspection
(16/05/2023)
Full Report - All Reports
45%
NATIONAL AVG. 38%
5+ GCSEs grade 9-4 (standard pass or above) including English and maths



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School Results Over Time

2019 2022 2023 2020 Covid-19 2021 Covid-19 UNLOCK

% of pupils who achieved 5+ GCSEs grade 9-4
2019 2022 2023 2020 Covid-19 2021 Covid-19 UNLOCK

% of pupils who achieved GCSE grade 5 or above in both English and maths
2019 2022 2023 2020 Covid-19 2021 Covid-19 UNLOCK

% of pupils who achieved 3 A levels at AAB or higher
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Bircham Road
Alcombe
Minehead
TA24 6AY
01643706061

School Description

This is a school where pupils achieve well. Pupils learn how to think like subject experts. Leaders push all pupils to achieve their potential. Disadvantaged pupils do especially well. When poor behaviour does not interfere with their learning, most pupils enjoy their lessons. They feel challenged and encouraged to do their best. The sixth form is growing. Students enjoy sixth-form life. They get help and advice from their tutors in deciding their next steps. They appreciate the personalised support they get from subject teachers. Students in the sixth form are self-directing. They have the confidence to arrange trips to complement their learning, such as to the theatre to see ‘Othello’. The school serves a large area. Teachers work closely with their counterparts in the local middle schools so that pupils make a smooth transition into Year 9. Leaders make sure that the curriculum matches pupils’ interests. Pupils can now study Spanish as well as French. Pupils move around the school calmly and sensibly. They have respectful conversations with staff, for example about their uniform, which they wear well. In most lessons, we saw good behaviour. However, pupils told us that behaviour is not good in other lessons. Both parents and pupils worry about bullying. They would like staff to get better at dealing with bullying.

West Somerset College Parent Reviews



Average Parent Rating

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“Proud of WSC”

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"> The school has improved rapidly, amazing transformation. Third highest GCSE results in Somerset last summer.
“Bright Future”

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"> A much improved school. Excellent results. The investment of the opportunity area fund is supporting much development within the school.
“Still a poor school”

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"> A little reported fact is that despite an OFSTED rating of good, approximately 50 to 60 staff left this summer either through choice, redundancy or non renewal of contracts. Many remaining staff have had cuts both in pay and hours.
“Ofsted rate this school as "GOOD" in all categories”

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"> The review dated 15th January 2016 is accurate BUT two years out of date. The College is definitely on the up after a complete clear-out of senior staff and governors. Please see the latest Ofsted Report (May 2016) which clearly shows that the College is now "GOOD" in ALL categories. GCSE results just out (August 2016) are continuing the upward trend at a time when the national trend is downward.
“"Inadequate"”

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"> Some good teachers but generally poor. Very poor results for GCSEs were received. If you're going to come here, don't in my opinion. In the last OFSTED, the college received the lowest rating in every field. If you have college-age children, move to Taunton. Hope this helps!
unlock % Parents Recommend This School
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"strongly_agree"=>11, "agree"=>32, "disagree"=>29, "strongly_disagree"=>27, "dont_know"=>1} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"strongly_agree"=>9, "agree"=>42, "disagree"=>27, "strongly_disagree"=>18, "dont_know"=>4} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"strongly_agree"=>3, "agree"=>25, "disagree"=>38, "strongly_disagree"=>28, "dont_know"=>6} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023
My Child Has Not Been Bullied Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"my_child_has_not_been_bullied"=>56, "strongly_agree"=>0, "agree"=>10, "disagree"=>14, "strongly_disagree"=>14, "dont_know"=>7} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"strongly_agree"=>10, "agree"=>34, "disagree"=>37, "strongly_disagree"=>17, "dont_know"=>3} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023
I Have Not Raised Any Concerns Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"i_have_not_raised_any_concerns"=>10, "strongly_agree"=>12, "agree"=>27, "disagree"=>28, "strongly_disagree"=>21, "dont_know"=>1} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"strongly_agree"=>12, "agree"=>27, "disagree"=>27, "strongly_disagree"=>27, "dont_know"=>6} UNLOCK Figures based on 33 responses up to 19-05-2023
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"strongly_agree"=>19, "agree"=>32, "disagree"=>24, "strongly_disagree"=>12, "dont_know"=>12} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"strongly_agree"=>12, "agree"=>35, "disagree"=>26, "strongly_disagree"=>19, "dont_know"=>8} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"strongly_agree"=>12, "agree"=>45, "disagree"=>29, "strongly_disagree"=>14, "dont_know"=>0} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"strongly_agree"=>11, "agree"=>46, "disagree"=>27, "strongly_disagree"=>14, "dont_know"=>2} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"strongly_agree"=>12, "agree"=>51, "disagree"=>16, "strongly_disagree"=>7, "dont_know"=>14} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know {"strongly_agree"=>8, "agree"=>27, "disagree"=>32, "strongly_disagree"=>23, "dont_know"=>10} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023
Yes No {"yes"=>32, "no"=>68} UNLOCK Figures based on 154 responses up to 19-05-2023

Responses taken from Ofsted Parent View

Your rating:
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