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Schools in Somerset

A council (local authority) in the South West

  • Council
  • 479 schools and nurseries
  • 71,116 pupils
  • 15 towns and villages

In short: Most primary schools here are rated Good or better, fewer than across England. Results at 11 are below England, and results at 16 were below England in 2026. Attendance is close to the England figure.

Three children with backpacks crossing a street
A red-brick school building under a blue sky
15 towns

Somerset at a glance

Behind England on primary inspections

How Somerset's schools compare with England, area by area.

DfE and Ofsted data, 2014 to 2026How we work this out
  • Schools and nurseries479219 primary · 34 secondary · 175 nurseries
  • Primaries Good or better87%England 96%
  • Met the standard at 1157%England 62%
  • Grade 5 in English and maths40%Attainment 8 43.4, England 46.2
  • Free school meals, primary20%A sign of family income
  • Missed a lot of school19%England 18%
Top-rated

The highest-rated schools in Somerset

Primary and secondary schools are ranked by Eduscope score, which weighs up results, inspections, attendance and more. Nurseries, special and independent schools aren't ranked. A high score isn't everything: always visit.

All Somerset primary schools

Top Primary Schools in Somerset

219 mainstream schools in Somerset, best first

Kingfisher Primary School

Yeovil, BA22 8FJ · Academy · Primary · Ages 2 to 11

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Results well above the England average.

43 first choices, 30 offers made

Met the standard at 1191%

England 62%

Days missed
3.9%
Pupils
265
Pupils per teacher
24.5
View school Kingfisher Primary School

Preston CofE Primary School

Yeovil, BA21 3SN · Academy · Primary · Ages 4 to 11

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Results well above the England average.

62 first choices, 60 offers made

Met the standard at 1193%

England 62%

Days missed
5.1%
Pupils
419
Pupils per teacher
21.8
View school Preston CofE Primary School

Huish Episcopi Primary School

Langport, TA10 9RW · Academy · Primary · Ages 4 to 11

  • Ofsted:Good

Results well above the England average.

19 first choices, 19 offers made

Met the standard at 1193%

England 62%

Days missed
3.4%
Pupils
175
Pupils per teacher
18.2
View school Huish Episcopi Primary School
See all 264 primary schools

Top Secondary Schools in Somerset

34 mainstream schools in Somerset, best first

The Castle School

Taunton, TA1 5AU · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 19

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Results above the England average.

336 first choices, 237 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1652.7

England 46.2

Days missed
7.2%
Pupils
1,207
Pupils per teacher
17.4
View school The Castle School

Huish Episcopi Academy

Langport, TA10 9SS · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 18

  • Ofsted:Expected standard or better

Results above the England average.

198 first choices, 199 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1651.5

England 46.2

Days missed
7.5%
Pupils
1,192
Pupils per teacher
16.9
View school Huish Episcopi Academy

Preston School Academy

Yeovil, BA21 3JD · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 16

  • Ofsted:Good

Results close to the England average.

185 first choices, 205 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1648.3

England 46.2

Days missed
7.7%
Pupils
1,003
Pupils per teacher
17.7
View school Preston School Academy
See all 76 secondary schools

Nurseries in Somerset

175 in Somerset, highest Ofsted grade first

See all 175 nurseries

Sixth Forms in Somerset

31 in Somerset, by the school's Eduscope score

The Castle School

Taunton, TA1 5AU · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 19

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Results above the England average.

336 first choices, 237 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1652.7

England 46.2

Days missed
7.2%
Pupils
1,207
Pupils per teacher
17.4
View school The Castle School

Huish Episcopi Academy

Langport, TA10 9SS · Academy · Secondary · Ages 11 to 18

  • Ofsted:Expected standard or better

Results above the England average.

198 first choices, 199 offers made

Attainment 8 at 1651.5

England 46.2

Days missed
7.5%
Pupils
1,192
Pupils per teacher
16.9
View school Huish Episcopi Academy
See all 31 sixth forms

Special Schools in Somerset

30 in Somerset. Eduscope doesn't rank these.

Critchill Special School

Frome, BA11 4LB · Academy · All-through · Ages 4 to 19

  • Ofsted:Outstanding in every area

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
5.7%
Pupils
96
Pupils per teacher
7.3
View school Critchill Special School

Dovecote School

Ta7 9nj · Independent · All-through · Ages 5 to 19

  • ISI:Inspected

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
–
Pupils
105
Pupils per teacher
–
View school Dovecote School

Fiveways Special School

Yeovil, BA21 5AZ · Special · All-through · Ages 4 to 19

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
13.1%
Pupils
100
Pupils per teacher
6.6
View school Fiveways Special School
See all 30 special schools

Private Schools in Somerset

35 in Somerset. Eduscope doesn't rank these.

Dovecote School

Ta7 9nj · Independent · All-through · Ages 5 to 19

  • ISI:Inspected

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
–
Pupils
105
Pupils per teacher
–
View school Dovecote School

Marchant Holliday School

Templecombe, BA8 0AH · Independent · All-through · Ages 5 to 14 · Boys

  • Ofsted:Outstanding

Specialist provision. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
–
Pupils
65
Pupils per teacher
–
View school Marchant Holliday School

Springmead Preparatory School

Somerset, BA11 6TA · Independent · Primary · Ages 2 to 11

  • ISI:Inspected

Independent school. Results aren't published in the same way.

Results

Not published for this kind of school.

Days missed
–
Pupils
100
Pupils per teacher
–
View school Springmead Preparatory School
See all 35 private schools
The map

Every school in Somerset, on one map

Each dot is a school or nursery, coloured by its latest Ofsted grade. Point at a dot to see its name, or use the list.

See them as a list
Show
Coxley Primary School, Urgent improvement in 1 areaDitcheat Primary School, Expected standard in every areaVallis First School, Good in every areaDunster First School, GoodKeinton Mandeville Primary School, GoodKingsbury Episcopi Primary School, GoodMeare Village Primary School, GoodPriddy Primary School, GoodShepton Mallet Community Infants' School & Nursery, GoodHindhayes Infant School, Good or betterWincanton Primary School, GoodWookey Primary School, Requires improvement in 4 areasBowlish Infant School, Needs attention in 6 areasAshcott Primary School, GoodEastover Primary School, GoodHamp Nursery and Infants' School, GoodCatcott Primary School, GoodNorth Newton Community Primary School, GoodSomerset Bridge Primary School, GoodWestonzoyland Community Primary School, Good in every areaChurchstanton Primary School, GoodMilverton Community Primary School and Pre-School, GoodStawley Primary School, GoodSampford Arundel Community Primary School, GoodWellsprings Primary School, GoodBeech Grove Primary School, GoodWiveliscombe Primary School, GoodParkfield Primary School, GoodBarwick and Stoford Community Primary School, Urgent improvement in 3 areasEast Coker Community Primary School, GoodSouth Petherton Junior School, Good or betterMilford Infants' School, Expected standard in every areaReckleford Infant School and Nursery, GoodBirchfield Community Primary School, GoodKingsmoor Primary School, GoodHolway Park Community Primary School, GoodBerkley Church of England First School, Expected standard in every areaCharlton Mackrell CofE Primary School, GoodBishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Needs attention in 5 areasCurry Rivel Church of England VC Primary School, GoodAll Saints CofE VC Infants School, Requires improvementCurry Mallet Church of England Primary School, Good in every areaExford Church of England First School, GoodSt John's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Infants School, Good in every areaHigh Ham Church of England Primary School, GoodHinton St George Church of England Primary School, GoodHerne View Church of England Primary, GoodStogumber CofE Primary School, GoodWalton Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, GoodSt Lawrence's CofE Primary School, GoodWest Pennard Church of England Primary School, Good or betterUpton Noble CofE VC Primary School, Good in every areaSt Paul's Church of England VC Junior School, GoodSt Mary's Voluntary Controlled Church of England Primary School, GoodCannington Church of England Primary School, Requires improvement in 2 areasNether Stowey Church of England Primary School, GoodCreech St Michael Church of England Primary School, Needs attention in 5 areasKingston St Mary Church of England Primary School, Urgent improvement in 3 areasLangford Budville Church of England Primary School, GoodRockwell Green Church of England Primary School, GoodChilthorne Domer Church School, Needs attention in 1 areaWest Coker CofE VC Primary School, GoodRode Methodist VC First School, GoodChewton Mendip Church of England VA Primary School, GoodCombe St Nicholas Church of England VA Primary School, GoodCrowcombe CofE VA Primary School, GoodCutcombe Church of England First School, GoodSt Benedict's Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior School, GoodLong Sutton CofE Primary School, GoodNorton St Philip Church of England First School, GoodSt Dubricius Church of England VA School, GoodTimberscombe Church of England First School, GoodSt John's Church of England Voluntary Aided First School, Frome, Requires improvementThurlbear Church of England Primary School, GoodTrull Church of England VA Primary School, GoodSt George's Catholic School, GoodBishop Henderson Church of England Primary School, Taunton, GoodSouth Petherton Church of England Infants and Pre School, Good in every areaSt Margaret's School, Tintinhull, GoodKnights Templar Community Church School & Nursery, Good in every areaDulverton Junior School, Requires improvement in 1 areaRobert Blake Academy, Requires improvementWadham School, Requires improvement in 2 areasBruton Primary School, Expected standard or betterSt John's Church of England Primary School, GoodKing's Bruton, InspectedPerrott Hill School Limited, InspectedAll Hallows School, InspectedDownside School, InspectedKing's College Taunton, InspectedMillfield School, InspectedQueen's College, InspectedTaunton School, InspectedWells Cathedral School, InspectedMarchant Holliday School, OutstandingMillfield Preparatory School, InspectedChard School, InspectedWellington School, InspectedHazlegrove Preparatory School, InspectedSedgemoor Manor School, Expected standard or betterKing's College Prep, InspectedPolden Bower School, GoodFairmead School, GoodFiveways Special School, OutstandingAvalon School, GoodNewbury Manor School, Needs attention in 4 areasCambian Somerset School, GoodAurora Foxes, GoodCambian Lufton College, GoodNorth Hill House, Expected standard or betterWessex Lodge School, GoodSomerset Progressive School, GoodCotford St Luke Primary School, Requires improvement in 4 areasSpringmead Preparatory School, InspectedTor School, GoodWillow Vale School, Good3 Dimensions, GoodTaunton Preparatory School, InspectedOaklands Primary School, GoodPetherton Park School, GoodInaura School, GoodNorth Petherton Primary School, Needs attention in 5 areasOake, Bradford and Nynehead VC Primary, Requires improvement in 4 areasHolyrood Academy, GoodWeare Academy First School, GoodKingsmead Academy, Requires improvement in 2 areasMinehead Middle School, Requires improvement in 2 areasThe Kings of Wessex Academy, GoodWest Somerset College, Needs attention in 5 areasAnsford Academy, Expected standard or betterWedmore First School Academy, Requires improvement in 3 areasBrookside Community Primary School, GoodBishop Fox's School, GoodPreston School Academy, GoodCrispin School Academy, GoodHaygrove School, GoodThe Castle School, OutstandingThe Redstart Primary School, GoodOakfield Academy, Needs attention in 1 areaStanchester Academy, Requires improvement in 3 areasMaiden Beech Academy, Needs attention in 2 areasNorth Town Academy, GoodAvishayes Community Primary School, Requires improvement in 2 areasTatworth Primary School, GoodWhitstone, Needs attention in 3 areasSt Dunstan's School, GoodWestfield Academy, GoodThe Blue School, GoodSexey's School, GoodEnmore Church of England Primary School, OutstandingSelwood Academy, GoodBridgwater College Academy, Urgent improvement in 5 areasKing Ina Church of England Academy, Requires improvementAxbridge Church of England First School Academy, GoodSt. Michael's Academy, GoodSt Cuthbert's Church of England Academy Infants and Pre-School, GoodChurchfield Church School, Needs attention in 6 areasSt James Church School, Good in every areaSt John and St Francis Church School, GoodManor Court Community Primary School, GoodWellesley Park Primary School, Expected standard or betterHorrington Primary School, Requires improvementBrymore Academy, GoodHamp Academy, GoodCheddon Fitzpaine Church School, GoodHayesdown First School, GoodSt Andrew's Church School, Requires improvement in 2 areasWillowdown Primary School, Expected standard or betterPreston CofE Primary School, OutstandingWoolavington Village Primary School, GoodCourt Fields School, GoodHuish Primary School, OutstandingHorsington Church School, GoodDanesfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Community Middle School, Urgent improvement in 3 areasOld Cleeve Church of England First School, GoodSt Peter's Church of England First School, GoodStaplegrove Church School, GoodNorton Fitzwarren Church School, GoodCastle Primary School, GoodHambridge Community Primary School, GoodHuish Episcopi Primary School, GoodMiddlezoy Primary School, GoodOakhill Church School, Needs attention in 1 areaThe Mendip School, GoodKingfisher Primary School, OutstandingPrimrose Lane Primary School, OutstandingBishops Lydeard Church School, GoodNunney First School, GoodMinehead First School, GoodSt Michael's Church of England First School, GoodHugh Sexey Church of England Middle School, GoodEast Brent Church of England First School, GoodLympsham Church of England Academy, GoodMark First and Pre-School CE Academy, Requires improvement in 3 areasHoly Trinity Church School, Good or betterAll Saints Church School, GoodPuriton Primary School, GoodWestover Green Community School and Autism Centre, Needs attention in 2 areasNorthgate Primary School, Expected standard or betterWembdon St George's Church School, Needs attention in 3 areasHoly Trinity Church of England Primary School, GoodAshill Community Primary School, GoodThe Orchard School, GoodPark House School, Expected standard or betterWest Buckland Primary School, Expected standard or betterNorth Curry CofE Primary School, Good in every areaSt Vigor & St John Church School, GoodChilton Trinity School, Good in every areaHemington Primary School, GoodOtterhampton Primary School, GoodCompton Dundon School, GoodThe King Alfred School, GoodLeigh On Mendip School, GoodCountess Gytha Primary School, GoodWest Monkton Church of England School, GoodSelworthy Special School, GoodBlackbrook Primary School, GoodRuishton Church of England School, GoodPriorswood Primary School, GoodNerrols Primary School and Nursery, GoodCharlton Horethorne Church of England Primary School, GoodBrent Knoll Church of England Primary School, GoodPawlett Primary School, GoodKing Arthur's School, Requires improvement in 1 areaNorth Cadbury Church of England Primary School, GoodWinsham Primary School, GoodCritchill Special School, Outstanding in every areaStogursey Church of England Primary School, Needs attention in 5 areasSpaxton CofE Primary School, Good in every areaMilford Junior School, GoodSt Mary's & St Peter's Church School, Good in every areaShepton Beauchamp Church School, Good or betterAvanti Park School, GoodSilver Bridge School, GoodCheddar First School, Good in every areaShipham Church of England First School, Good in every areaDraycott & Rodney Stoke Church of England First School, GoodFairlands Middle School, Good in every areaIsambard Kingdom Brunel Primary School, GoodThe Levels School, InspectedLyngford Park Primary School, GoodAbbot's Way School, InspectedEast Huntspill Primary School, Good in every areaNeroche Primary School, Requires improvement in 1 areaWest Huntspill Primary School, GoodOthery Village School, GoodRichard Huish College, OutstandingBuckler's Mead School, GoodSt Joseph and St Teresa Catholic Primary School, Good in every areaSt Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Bridgwater, GoodSt Joseph's Catholic Primary and Nursery School, Good in every areaSt Gildas Catholic Primary School, Requires improvement in 2 areasOur Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary, Requires improvement in 1 areaDovecote School, InspectedChilton Bridge School, Expected standard or betterLydeard St Lawrence Community Primary School, Good in every areaChrist Church First School, Expected standard in every areaOrchard Grove Primary School, Strong standard in every areaBerrow Church Primary School, Expected standard or betterWest Chinnock Church School, InadequateSt Aldhelms Church School, Requires improvementAbbas and Templecombe Church School, GoodNorton Sub Hamdon Church School, Requires improvementHuish Episcopi Academy, Expected standard or betterMerriott Primary School, GoodAshlands Church of England Primary School, Requires improvementSt Bartholomew's Church of England Primary School, GoodHaselbury Plucknett Church of England Primary School, GoodMonkton Wood Academy, InadequateThe Sky Academy, Expected standard in every areaSt Louis Catholic Primary School, Frome, Good in every areaStoke St Gregory Church of England Primary School, Requires improvementCastle Cary Community Primary School, Requires improvementSt Nicholas CofE Primary School, Henstridge, Requires improvement in 5 areasMinerva Primary School, Requires improvementHatch Beauchamp Church of England Primary School, Requires improvementBuckland St Mary Church of England Primary School, Requires improvementFrome Community College, GoodFromefield Manor School, GoodHill View SchoolAsh Church of England Primary School, GoodCroscombe Church of England Primary School, Requires improvementHorizons Therapeutic Education TrustPen Mill Infant and Nursery Academy, Requires improvementBurnham-On-Sea Infant School, Requires improvementSt Andrew's Church Junior School, GoodStoke St Michael Primary School, Requires improvementElmhurst Junior School, GoodBishops Hull Primary School, GoodEvercreech Church of England Primary School, GoodTrinity Church of England First School, GoodMilborne Port Primary School, GoodBaltonsborough Church of England VC Primary School, Requires improvementBeckington Church First School, Expected standard in every areaMells Church First School, GoodKilmersdon Church School, Requires improvementStoberry Park School, GoodLovington Church of England Primary School, InadequateIlchester Community School, GoodSt Cuthbert's Church of England Junior School, GoodMartock Church School, Good in every areaSt Benedict's Catholic Primary School, Requires improvementButleigh Church of England Primary School, GoodPyrland School, Inadequate in 4 areasMells Nursery, Strong standard in every areaBrock House Day Nursery, Needs attention in 2 areasNorthover House Day Nursery, GoodTrull Saplings Preschool, GoodSunflower Montessori Nursery, GoodThe Mill Nursery, GoodButtercups Nursery School Huntworth, GoodButterflies Day Nursery @ Bowerlane, GoodToybox Nursery, GoodCannington Pre-School, OutstandingFairfield Montessori School Ltd, GoodMama Bear's Day Nursery, GoodStowey Bears Preschool, GoodOpportunity Group Frome & District, GoodTops Day Nurseries - Musgrove, GoodYew Trees, GoodTops Day Nurseries - Mini Mariners, Expected standard or betterLittle Crickets Pre School, GoodJigsaw Preschool, GoodYeovilteenies Day Nursery, GoodExplorers Day Nursery, GoodBrook Green Early Years, GoodHorrington House Pre School, GoodBlackdown Children's Day Nursery, GoodWestover Little Stars Pre-School, GoodWilstock Gardens Childcare, GoodFair Start Nursery, GoodTopsie Yeovil, GoodCuddles & Care Children's Day Nursery, GoodTree House Day Nursery, GoodPlayaway Day Nursery UK Ltd, OutstandingThe Brambles Day Nursery, OutstandingChurchfield Nursery, OutstandingRainbow Nursery, GoodCourt Fields Pre School, OutstandingThe Paddocks Nursery & Pre-School, GoodWhatcombe Farm Nursery, GoodToybox Pre-School, GoodThe Folly Nursery, OutstandingThe Pepperbox Nursery, GoodHassockmoor Childcare & Out of School Club, GoodThe Learning Tree @ Manor Farm, GoodTall Trees Kindergarten, GoodSticky Fingers Pre-School, GoodBouncy Bear Childcare, OutstandingSt George's Pre-School (Taunton), GoodLittle Munchkins Childcare C.I.C, GoodButterflies Day Nursery @ Woodlands, GoodMerriott Pre-school, GoodSunbeams Nursery, GoodTops Yeovil, GoodAbbey Preschool, GoodThe Olive Tree Nursery, GoodRed Room Pre-School Annex, GoodNorton St Philip Pre School, GoodLittle Boots, GoodSmartees Day Care Nursery Ltd, GoodYeovil College Nursery, OutstandingCheddar First School Nursery, GoodFirst Steps Day Nursery, GoodRainbow Pre-School, GoodCheeky Cherubs Nursery, OutstandingRainbow Pre School Playgroup, GoodLittle Discoveries : Nunney, OutstandingKarebears Childcare, GoodAppletree Children's Nursery, GoodSpring Bishops Hull, GoodThe Balsam Nursery, GoodLittle Explorers Day Nursery and Preschool, GoodAbacus Nursery (SW) LTD, OutstandingChuggers Day Nursery and Preschool, GoodHoneyBea Partnership, GoodLittle Sunbeams Pre-School, GoodLittle Adventures Nursery (Bridgwater), Expected standard or betterJabberwocky Childrens Nursery Ltd, GoodThe Lawns Children's Nursery @ Chard School, GoodConkers The Balsam Centre's Community Nursery, GoodNext Steps Childcare Centre, GoodLittle Steps Pre-school, GoodLittle Discoveries : Yeovil, GoodBrue Farm Day Nursery, GoodYMCA Taunton Pre-School, GoodOctopus Children's Daycare, GoodThe Wendy House Nursery, Expected standard in every areaThe Willow Set Preschool, GoodChard NNI/Schools Out, GoodThe Young Ones, GoodPlayaways Nursery Ltd, GoodEast Coker Playgroup, GoodAcorn Day Nursery, GoodFuture Stars Coaching at Mark C of E AcademyMama Bear's Day Nursery, GoodCuddles & Care Children's Day Nursery Frome, GoodWembdon Sunshiners Pre-School, GoodHappy Days Nursery and Pre-School Yeovil, Requires improvementFootprints Nursery, GoodQueen's College Nursery, GoodSpring Wellsprings, GoodStepping Stones (SW) Ltd, GoodExplorers PreSchool, GoodTaunton School NurseryHunny Bears Day Nursery, GoodMogghill Nursery School, GoodKiddi Caru Nursery, Expected standard or betterThe Nest, GoodRockers and Rollers Day Nursery, GoodFirst Class Nurseries, GoodForget Me Not Pre-School, GoodLittle Beeches Nursery, GoodSunflowers Preschool, GoodRama Life at FrogmaryChoo Choo's Day Nursery and Preschool, GoodWillow Nursery and Pre-School, GoodThe Lemon Tree Nursery School, OutstandingNotting Hill Nursery, GoodKing Edward Road Nursery, GoodThe Beehive Day Nursery Ltd, GoodMama Bear's Day Nursery, GoodSpring Levels, GoodSpring Hollies, GoodNanny Bears Childcare, GoodCuddles & Care Children's Day Nursery, Ilminster, Needs attention in 3 areasCheeky Chimps, GoodThe Lawns Children's Nursery, GoodLittle Discoveries : Frome, GoodLittle Adventures Nursery, GoodLittle Adventures Nursery (Taunton), Expected standard or betterLittle Crickets SpringmeadChurchinford Preschool CIO, Expected standard or betterBright Stars ChildcareLittle Wildlings Nursery LimitedThe Garden Nursery FromeFirst Steps Day Nursery, Strong standard in every areaWellesley Park ExplorersDolphins Childcare Centre, Expected standard in every areaLittle Meadows Pre-School LtdOaklands day nursery ltd, Expected standard in every areaBrookside NurseryWaterloo Road Community Pre-SchoolFuture Stars Coaching at Willowdown Primary SchoolLittle Herons NurseryComeytrowe Under Five Group, GoodLadybird Preschool, GoodYeovil Opportunity Group, GoodMontacute Pre-School, GoodHigh Ham Preschool, GoodSunshine Morning Nursery, OutstandingHolyrood Playgroup, GoodThe Bush Nursery, GoodSt. Dunstans Honeybees, GoodStrode College Day Nursery, GoodKids N Co Dragons Playgroup, GoodPlaydays Pre-school, GoodTatworth Pre School, GoodBilly's Young Stars Nursery, GoodPilton Pre-School, OutstandingMarsh Lane Day Nursery Ltd, GoodDunster Pre School, GoodCranmore & Doulting Preschool, GoodWalton Under Fives Pre-School, OutstandingBizzi Kids Nursery, GoodCreech St Michael Community Pre-School, GoodBridgwater College Childcare Centre, OutstandingWatery Lane Pre-school, OutstandingTaunton Opportunity Group, OutstandingKnights Templar Community Church School and Nursery, GoodBishops Hull Preschool, GoodPawlett Pre-School, GoodSunshine Pre-school Puriton, Safeguarding not metShepton Mallet Community Infants' School and Nursery, GoodLittle StarlingsPrimary Colours Day Nursery, GoodCuddles & Care Children's Day Nursery, ChardStepping Stones Preschool (Wells)Strode College Day Nursery
  • Outstanding27
  • Good292
  • Requires improvement21
  • Inadequate3
  • Not graded yet136
Your council

How school places work in Somerset

Apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another council's area. Independent schools take applications directly.

About Somerset

Somerset is a county council area in the South West with 219 mainstream primary schools and 34 mainstream secondary schools. Towns with the most schools include Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater. It has 7 middle schools, so some children change school at a different age. Faith schools are common, with 141 in the area, and they can put families of their faith first when they're full.

Good to know in Somerset

  • Somerset's primary admissions guide covers junior, middle and starting school applications, so some areas have middle schools. Source
  • If your catchment school isn't among your preferences and it becomes oversubscribed, Somerset cannot guarantee your child a place there. Source
  • You can enter your postcode in the council's catchment area finder to see your catchment schools. Source
  • A school's designated transport area can differ from its catchment area, so being in catchment does not always mean free travel; it is set to match catchment as of September 2012. Source
  • Somerset Choice Advice is a free, impartial service helping families with school admissions and appeals. Source
  • Children with an EHC plan do not use the normal admissions process to apply for a school. Source

From Somerset council's website, checked 7 November 2026. Check the council's pages before you apply.

School admissions team: schooladmissions@somerset.gov.uk

Key dates each year

31 October
Secondary school applications close
15 January
Primary school applications close
1 March
Secondary school offers
16 April
Primary school offers

If a date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, offers go out the next working day.

95.0%got their first-choice primary school in Somerset in 2026. England: 92.4%. Ranked 33 of 151 councils. 99.0% got one of their top three.2.5% were offered a primary school in another council. England: 3.6%.

92.1%got their first-choice secondary school in Somerset in 2026. England: 83.6%. Ranked 29 of 151 councils. 97.7% got one of their top three.7.8% were offered a secondary school in another council. England: 8.0%.

Source: DfE applications and offers, 2026. A low rate shows high demand, not poor schools.

2 of 49 primary appeals heard in Somerset succeeded in 2025. 10 of 99 secondary appeals heard in Somerset succeeded in 2025.

Nearby councils

By age

What's on offer for each age

Pick a stage to see every Somerset school for that age, with filters for type, faith and Ofsted grade.

More ways to narrow it down

Here's how Somerset's schools break down by type, faith and more.

Towns

Schools in each part of Somerset

The blue bar is the average Eduscope score of the primary schools in each town. The black line is the Somerset average, 43.

Browse Somerset by postcode

Some areas, like parts of a bigger town, are easiest to find by postcode.

Somerset vs England

How good are Somerset's schools?

Inspections, exam results and attendance, next to the figure for England where we have it.

Numbers that sum up Somerset

SomersetEngland

  • Primaries rated Good or Outstanding

    Latest Ofsted grade, 158 primaries with one.

    87%

    England 96%

    Below England

  • Secondaries rated Good or Outstanding

    19 of the 21 with a grade.

    91%

    England 93%

    Close to England

  • Met the expected standard at 11

    Reading, writing and maths.

    57%

    England 62%

    Below England

  • Grade 5 or above in English and maths

    At GCSE.

    40%

  • Pupils who miss a lot of school

    Missed 1 in 10 days or more. Lower is better.

    19%

    England 18%

    Close to England

  • Primary pupils on free school meals

    A sign of family income, not of school quality.

    20%

Ofsted grades

Latest graded inspection for the 198 schools that have one.

88%

Good or Outstanding

Each square is 1% of schools.

  • Outstanding9
  • Good166
  • Requires improvement20
  • Inadequate3

How it has changed

Somerset in blue. There were no tests in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid.

Met the expected standard at 11
Covid gap40%55%70%20182019202320242025
57% in 2025. England now 62% (dashed line).
Grade 5 or above in English and maths
30%45%60%201820192020202120222023202420252026
40% in 2026.
Pupils who miss a lot of school
Covid gap0%15%30%20142015201620172018201920212022202320242025
19% in 2025. England now 18% (dashed line).

The figures in full

The latest published year for each measure. Sources and years are on our data sources page.

MeasureSomersetEngland
Good or Outstanding (Ofsted)88%95%
Met the expected standard at 11 (KS2)57%62%
Attainment 843.446.2
Persistent absence19%18%
Pupils per teacher18.4:117.9:1
Spending per pupil£7,748£8,120
In education or work after 1692%91%
Went on to higher education36%56%
Pupils with special educational needs19%21%
Pupils with English as an additional language12%22%
Pupils on free school meals21%27%

DfE local authority code 933, ONS code E10000027.

Living here

What it's like for families

Somerset has 479 schools and nurseries across 15 towns and villages, the biggest being Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater and Frome.

There are 3% more pupils than in 2018, but numbers have fallen since 2025.

20% of primary pupils here get free school meals. Schools get extra money for each of them.

Pupil numbers

Pupils in Somerset's state schools each January.

Up 3% since 2018. More children can mean popular schools fill up faster.

Free school meals

Out of every 10 primary pupils, how many get free school meals. It's a sign of family income, not of school quality.

Somerset20%

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Questions

Questions parents ask about Somerset

How many schools are in Somerset?

Somerset has 479 schools, including 264 primary schools, 76 secondary schools, 175 nurseries, 35 independent schools, 30 special schools. Some count in more than one group. You can browse each category using the filters on Eduscope.

What are the best schools in Somerset?

The highest-ranked schools in Somerset on Eduscope are Kingfisher Primary School, Preston CofE Primary School, The Castle School. We rank each state school against schools of the same phase across England on its Ofsted inspection, results and attendance. Independent, special and nursery schools aren't ranked.

What percentage of schools in Somerset are rated Good or Outstanding?

88% of inspected schools in Somerset hold a Good or Outstanding Ofsted rating, which is below the England average of 94.8%. This includes 9 schools rated Outstanding and 166 rated Good.

How do primary schools in Somerset perform at Key Stage 2?

Across primary schools in Somerset, 57% of pupils meet the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths at Key Stage 2. This is based on the latest published results from the Department for Education.

What is the average pupil-teacher ratio in Somerset?

The average pupil-teacher ratio across schools in Somerset is 18.4:1. While not a direct measure of class size, this indicates the level of teaching resource available per pupil. Across England it is 17.9:1.

What is the persistent absence rate in Somerset schools?

The persistent absence rate across schools in Somerset is 18.9%. A pupil is classed as persistently absent if they miss 10% or more of school sessions. Across England it is 18.1%.

How many pupils attend schools in Somerset?

There are 71,116 pupils enrolled across schools in Somerset, with 39,232 in primary and 31,884 in secondary. 21.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals.

How many private schools are in Somerset?

There are 35 independent schools in Somerset. Fees vary by school and age group, with day school fees typically ranging from £10,000 to £20,000 per year. You can compare all private schools in Somerset on Eduscope, including ISI inspection ratings where available.

How do I choose the right school in Somerset?

Start by considering your child's age, your location, and whether you prefer a state or independent school. Use Eduscope to compare 479 schools in Somerset by Ofsted ratings, exam results, and distance. Filter by school type, gender, religious character, and admissions policy to narrow your options.

Sources: DfE school performance tables, DfE school census and workforce, DfE pupil absence, Ofsted. Photos are stand-ins.

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