Wadham School: Community Values and Pastoral Strength

Serving the market town of Crewkerne and its surrounding villages, Wadham School is a Church of England Voluntary Controlled school for students aged 11 to 18. While the school was rated Requires Improvement overall by Ofsted in January 2025, inspectors highlighted significant strengths, rating Behaviour, Personal Development, and Leadership and Management as Good. This mixed profile describes a school where students feel safe and well-supported, even as the school works to raise academic consistency.

The school prides itself on a supportive, community-focused atmosphere, a claim backed by the recent inspection which found behaviour and attitudes to be Good. Students describe the environment as friendly, and the rural setting fosters a distinct sense of local identity.

Headteacher Richard Burgas has led the school since 2022, emphasising the biblical principle of "life in all its fullness." This vision is not merely decorative; the school's core values of Care, Courage, and Curiosity are actively used to shape student conduct. The 2025 inspection report noted that leaders have high expectations and that the school is a calm, orderly place to learn.

The site itself is spacious, with extensive fields that reflect its Somerset location. While some buildings date from the 1970s, facilities are functional and well-maintained. The atmosphere is less "academic hothouse" and more "inclusive community," where students of all abilities are welcomed.

Performance data from 2024 reflects the challenges identified by inspectors. Wadham ranked 2,805th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). The Progress 8 score of -0.27 indicates that students, on average, achieved around a quarter of a grade lower than peers with similar starting points nationally.

However, raw attainment tells a more nuanced story. The average Attainment 8 score was 41.3, and 8.2% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in the rigorous English Baccalaureate (EBacc) suite of subjects. These figures place the school in the "national lower" band, though it remains the top-performing secondary provider within Crewkerne itself.

Parents should view these results in the context of the school's high SEND intake and inclusive admissions policy. While the most able students can and do achieve top grades, the published figures suggest that consistency across all subjects remains a key area for the school's improvement plan.

The 2025 Ofsted inspection rated the Quality of Education as Requires Improvement, identifying variability in how the curriculum is delivered. While subject knowledge is generally strong, particularly in English and Humanities, inspectors found that assessment strategies do not always identify gaps in students' understanding quickly enough.

Despite this, the curriculum is broad and ambitious. The school maintains a commitment to arts and technology, avoiding the narrowing seen in some schools. Support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEND) is a priority; the Learning Support department is a busy hub, and the school has experience supporting a wide range of needs, reflected in the higher-than-average number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

Important Note

The Sixth Form's future has been subject to consultation. In 2025, Somerset Council and the Governors consulted on a proposal to close the Sixth Form due to low student numbers and financial viability. Families should contact the school directly for the absolute latest status on post-16 admissions for 2026.

The Sixth Form was rated Requires Improvement in 2025. Cohorts are small—the 2024 leavers group consisted of just 9 students—which allows for personalised attention but limits social breadth. In 2024, 31% of A-level grades were A*-B. The school has a strong vocational record, with 44% of leavers moving directly into employment, significantly above the national average, while 22% progressed to university.

Admissions for Year 7 are coordinated by Somerset Council. The school is popular locally; in the most recent cycle, there were 168 applications for 147 offers, resulting in a subscription ratio of 1.14.

Priority is given to:

1. Looked-after children.
2. Children with an EHCP naming the school.
3. Children living in the catchment area (Crewkerne, Merriott, Hinton St George, Misterton).
4. Siblings of current students.
5. Distance from the school.

The closing date for applications is 31 October for entry the following September. Late applications are processed after the initial allocation.

Pastoral care is a confirmed strength. The Good rating for Personal Development in 2025 highlights the school's success in looking after student wellbeing. The House system fosters a sense of belonging, and the vertical tutor groups allow older students to mentor younger peers.

The Church of England ethos ensures strong chaplaincy support, available to students of all faiths and none. Safeguarding procedures are effective, and students report feeling safe. The school's work on character development—teaching resilience and respect—was specifically praised by inspectors.

The extracurricular offer takes full advantage of the rural setting. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is thriving, with high participation rates in Bronze and Silver expeditions on nearby Dartmoor. The Ten Tors challenge is a major annual event, requiring significant commitment and teamwork.

The arts are also well-represented. The annual school production is a community highlight, often performed at external venues like the Warehouse Theatre in Ilminster. Sports facilities include a gym and extensive fields, with competitive fixtures in rugby, hockey, and netball against other local schools.

This is a state-funded school, meaning there are no tuition fees for students aged 11 to 19. Education is free at the point of entry.

Parents are responsible for typical state school costs, including:

• Uniform: Blazers, ties, and PE kits. The school works to keep branded items to a minimum to ensure affordability.
• Transport: Somerset Council provides free transport for students living in the catchment area who meet distance criteria (typically over 3 miles). Families outside these criteria must pay for bus passes.
• Trips and Essentials: Voluntary contributions may be requested for educational visits or materials in subjects like Food Technology.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Transport is a key consideration; a large proportion of students rely on council buses. The "late bus" service is limited, so parents of students attending after-school clubs often need to arrange their own transport.

There is no dedicated breakfast club, but the canteen serves food at break and lunch. Uniform standards are upheld firmly but fairly, with a focus on smartness as preparation for the workplace.

Sixth Form Viability: The status of the Sixth Form is critical. With a 2025 consultation proposing closure, parents seeking a seven-year school journey must clarify if post-16 provision will exist when their child reaches Year 11.

Academic Consistency: While pastoral care is Good, the academic quality was rated Requires Improvement. Families of high-ability children should ask specifically how the school stretches the most able students to ensure they achieve top grades.

Rural Connectivity: The school's location and reliance on bus networks can limit flexibility for after-school socialising or activities. Living in the catchment area makes accessing the school significantly easier.

Wadham School is a caring, community-centred institution where students are safe, well-behaved, and known as individuals. The "Good" ratings for leadership and behaviour suggest the school is on an upward trajectory despite the overall "Requires Improvement" judgement. Best suited to local families who value a supportive, inclusive environment and strong character education, and for whom the potential absence of a Sixth Form is not a dealbreaker.