The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Last reviewed: February 2026 · Rankings and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Serving the Hamp area of Bridgwater, Robert Blake School is a co-educational state secondary for students aged 11 to 16. Named after the famed 17th century military commander and Bridgwater native, the school occupies a modern site with a capacity for 990 students. Currently led by Headteacher Deb Loveridge, who has been in post since 2016, the school has recently moved towards academy status.
The school is currently in a phase of significant change, having been issued an Academy Order to join a multi-academy trust following recent Ofsted evaluations. While the school was rated Requires Improvement in 2023, a monitoring visit in October 2024 confirmed that leaders are taking effective action to address the areas for improvement. This period marks a major strategic shift aimed at raising academic standards to match the school's strong sense of community and excellent facilities.
The school atmosphere is one of visible purpose. The physical environment is modern, featuring a building completed in 2012 that offers spacious classrooms and specialist labs. Students generally describe a school where they feel safe and where diversity is celebrated. Recent efforts have been made to strengthen the sense of identity through a house system named after local Somerset landmarks: Quantock, Mendip, Blackdown, and Polden.
Leadership has been candid about the challenges faced, particularly regarding consistency in the quality of education. Under Deb Loveridge, there is a push to move the culture towards a more aspirational footing. The school's motto, Aspire Achieve Celebrate, is central to its daily life, and the focus on "Personal Development" was rated Good by inspectors, reflecting a genuine commitment to producing respectful and positive members of society.
Performance metrics at Robert Blake School reflect the challenges currently being addressed. In the 2025 dataset, the Attainment 8 score is 42.9. The Progress 8 score of -0.53 suggests that students typically make less progress between Year 7 and Year 11 than their peers in other schools with similar starting points.
Ranked 3,434th out of 3,895 in England for GCSE academic outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the national lower band. Locally, it ranks 5th among secondary schools in Bridgwater. While these figures indicate a need for improvement, they also provide the benchmark against which the new academy improvement plan is being measured. 37.8% of students achieved a grade 5 or above in English and mathematics.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE
3434th
England rank
Ranking figures update automatically as our data refreshes and are the definitive source. Any rankings quoted in the review text were accurate when it was written and may since have changed.
The curriculum is currently being refined to ensure greater depth and rigour across all subjects. In the EBacc subjects, 8.6% of students achieved a grade 5 or above. This has prompted a strategic review of curriculum delivery to ensure that students are challenged appropriately.
Teaching is increasingly focused on clear explanations and ensuring that students are ready for their next steps. While some variations in quality remain, recent monitoring confirms that the school is identifying and tackling these inconsistencies. The specialist Science College status remains a point of pride, with modern labs providing a strong foundation for technical learning.
Quality of Education
Requires Improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Requires Improvement
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
Robert Blake School is popular within its immediate catchment and is currently oversubscribed. In the 2024 cycle, the school received more applications than available places, with 1.26. applications per place This indicates that entry is competitive for families living on the edge of the local area.
Admissions are coordinated by Somerset Council. For Year 7 entry, parents should check Somerset Council’s current secondary transfer timetable before relying on a deadline. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to the furthest distance at which a place was offered. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.
This is a state-funded school with no tuition fees. There are no costs for standard curriculum delivery. Families may occasionally be asked to contribute towards voluntary costs such as school trips, certain extracurricular materials, or music lessons. Uniform and PE kits are required, and the school provides support for families eligible for Free School Meals to ensure all students can access the full school life.
Previous Year (2024/25 Entry)
Applications
192
Total received
Places Offered
152
Subscription Rate
1.3x
Applications per place
Pastoral care is a significant pillar of the school's identity. The school employs a dedicated team to manage student wellbeing, and Ofsted recently rated "Behaviour and Attitudes" as Good. Students report that while bullying can occur, staff deal with it effectively when it is raised.
The school has overhauled its approach to discipline, focusing on respectful and positive contributions. This allows for a more immediate response to social or emotional issues. The environment provides every opportunity for students to learn in a setting where they are valued as individuals.
The extracurricular programme is designed to offer breadth beyond the traditional academic day. The school makes excellent use of its sports facilities, with active clubs in various disciplines. "Personal Development" is a strength here, with a range of opportunities for students to build character and leadership skills.
STEM activities are a notable feature of the enrichment programme, reflecting the school's historical Science College status. The school engages with local industry partners to provide students with insights into engineering and technical careers. Coding clubs and science challenges are held regularly, aiming to inspire students in the Bridgwater area to pursue high-tech futures.
The school day typically begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. The school is accessible via local bus routes serving the Hamp area and Bridgwater town centre. Parents can access the Citizen Portal through the Somerset Council website to manage applications and view offer outcomes on 1 March 2027 for the upcoming secondary transfer.
Robert Blake School is a community institution in the midst of a strategic upgrade. The move towards academy status and the positive findings of recent monitoring visits suggest a school on the up. It suits local families who value a modern campus and a strong pastoral heart, and who are willing to support the school through its current trajectory. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.
Robert Blake School is currently rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted (2023), but a 2024 monitoring visit confirmed that leaders are taking effective action to improve. The school's focus on behaviour, attitudes, and personal development is already rated Good.
There are no tuition fees as this is a state-funded foundation school. Families are only responsible for costs such as uniform, equipment, and optional extracurricular activities.
Yes, the school is currently at capacity and oversubscribed. In the most recent intake, it had 1.26 applications per place, meaning there were significantly more applications than available places.
For secondary transfer into Year 7, applications are submitted through Somerset Council for entry the following September. Families should check Somerset Council’s current secondary transfer timetable for the relevant deadline.
The school has an Attainment 8 score of 42.9 and a Progress 8 score of -0.53. The school is currently implementing a new curriculum strategy to raise these outcomes.
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