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: January 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
In the 1950s, when teacher David Penrose and pupils from this school descended into a newly discovered cave system in the Mendip Hills, they did more than explore; they left their mark on local geological history. The Hillier's Cave, named after Gordon Hillier, headmaster from 1926 to 1958, represents the school's tradition of intellectual curiosity and adventurous thinking . Today, Norton Hill Academy carries that spirit forward as a comprehensive secondary serving the Midsomer Norton community and beyond. The October 2024 Ofsted inspection awarded outstanding ratings for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and sixth form provision, with quality of education rated as good and leadership and management also good . The school now ranks 1,845th out of 3,895 schools in England for GCSE academic outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it around the middle of the national table. Yet for families within this Somerset school's reach, what matters most is what happens daily: engaged teaching, positive relationships, and genuine academic progress, particularly striking in the sixth form.
Norton Hill evolved from Midsomer Norton Grammar School, founded in 1911, with some current school buildings dating back to that original foundation.
The school is part of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership academy group , a federation that has deepened its reach across the region. Mr Gordon Green has led the school as headteacher since April 2018 , a tenure during which Ofsted has observed the school moving from strength to strength. The atmosphere reflects traditional values married to contemporary thinking. High expectations for behaviour define the culture; in lessons, an ethos of learning prevails with students showing positive attitudes, and relationships between staff and students are excellent, with visitors remarking on how courteous and trustworthy students are.
The house system, a long-standing feature, provides pastoral continuity and identity. A well-established house system embeds character traits the school has identified, preparing pupils well for the future.
House leadership is taken seriously; each house develops community action projects led by the house council, with annual presentations awarding points to the house deemed to have made the greatest contribution, including activities such as regular visits to local residential homes and community garden projects . This tangible focus on service and leadership distinguishes the school from environments where pastoral structures exist more in theory than practice.
Norton Hill's GCSE results sit in the typical performance band for state schools in England. The school's Attainment 8 score is 50.2 in the 2024-25 / 2025 dataset. At this school, 53.3% of pupils achieved grades 9-5 in English and maths , indicating solid core attainment. At key stage four, 76.3% of pupils achieve standard passes in both English and Mathematics GCSEs at grades 9-4, while 17.8% achieve the EBacc at grades 9-5.
The Progress 8 measure, adjusted for extreme scores, is recorded at 0.16, indicating positive progress made by students compared to national expectations.
The school ranks 1,845th out of 3,895 schools in England for GCSE academic outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it around the middle of the national table. This ranking reflects neither exceptional nor struggling performance; rather, it represents a school delivering mainstream educational outcomes to a broad intake. The total EBacc APS score per pupil is 4.4, with 50.9% of Key Stage 4 pupils entering all English Baccalaureate subject areas , suggesting a reasonable proportion pursuing the broader academic pathway.
The sixth form stands apart. At A-level in 2025, 20% achieve A* or A grades, while 50% achieve grades between B and A*, across 284 exam entries . The school ranks 914th out of 2,549 schools in England for A-level academic outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), positioning it around the top 40% for sixth form performance. This gap between GCSE and A-level rankings reveals a crucial truth: the school's sixth form educates its students well, supporting progression and progress beyond GCSE expectations.
The sixth form provision was rated as outstanding by Ofsted in October 2024 , a distinction that reflects genuine strengths. Students selecting A-levels here encounter teaching that values depth over breadth, with examination boards and subject specialists investing heavily in rigorous preparation.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
54.23%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
28.6%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
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 sixth form's success extends to higher education. Gifted and talented students benefit from an Oxbridge preparation programme and strong links forged with Harvard University , demonstrating ambition beyond traditional UK pathways. Key Stage 4 and 5 students actively participate in voluntary work through the Duke of Edinburgh and Applied Learning programmes , experiences valued by universities seeking well-rounded applicants.
Recent leavers data should be treated as context rather than a refreshed metric. The current sixth-form performance picture is clearer: in 2025, Norton Hill recorded 284 A-level exam entries, with 20% of grades at A*-A and 50% at A*-B . That still gives students a credible academic platform for university progression within a comprehensive setting.
The curriculum follows the national framework with meaningful specialisms embedded. As a specialist Mathematics and Computing school, Norton Hill is recognised for the quality of support it offers students in developing their mathematical skills at all levels.
The school is also a specialist Languages College, allowing students to develop communication skills invaluable in the business sector; all students study a language in Year 7 and some may follow a second from Year 8 onwards.
Norton Hill is one of only a handful of schools to have received the Top version of the International School Award from the British Council on three occasions and has been awarded this for the next three years based on current opportunities offered . This recognition signals genuine engagement with global learning, moving beyond tokenistic cultural exchange toward substantive international education.
Teaching quality receives Ofsted approval. Students achieve well, including in the sixth form, because teaching is usually good and some is outstanding . The inspection noted that some teachers do not make full use of information they have about each student's previous and current achievement in planning their lessons or in their teaching , a practical observation suggesting room for refinement in personalised learning strategies.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Good
Ofsted did not issue a single overall grade for this inspection. This score is derived from the published subjudgements.
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
The school's enrichment programme reflects serious investment in cultural education. The school has received the Sportsmark Award by Sport England and Artsmark Silver Award , institutional recognitions reflecting broad commitment rather than isolated excellence. Extra-curricular opportunities include outdoor education, music, drama, dance and sports, all contributing to outstanding provision available to all students.
Drama has expanded with recent investment in a new, flexible drama space for Norton Hill Academy, designed to accommodate a range of other activities as well. . This facility opens possibilities for authentic theatrical production, allowing student-led work to flourish beyond traditional school productions.
The school cultivates specific intellectual and creative communities rather than generic offerings. Clubs include the George Orwell writing club, music producers club, and climbing club , indicating a deliberate strategy of named, substantive communities. Students in the school's Eco-Schools club take the lead on matters of sustainability in the building and neighbourhood, and through connection projects with other secondary and primary schools, students practise working with pupils of various ages . This work earns institutional recognition and embeds environmental citizenship into daily school life.
A voluntary anti-bullying mentor scheme allows students to volunteer as mentors to younger students in need of advice and support , creating peer support structures that address safeguarding through community rather than enforcement alone. The school also runs an Applied Learning programme for Key Stage 4 and 5 students seeking work-related qualifications and skills development.
The sports provision befits a mainstream comprehensive. The school offers a sports hall, gymnasium, multi-activity room, astroturf pitch, seven tennis courts and a number of grass pitches.
The sports hall can be hired for badminton, basketball, volleyball or any other indoor sports activity, with an activity studio available for smaller group activities including martial arts, dance and exercise classes . This infrastructure supports both curricular PE and after-school activity.
The school houses numerous ICT teaching rooms with the most up-to-date hardware and software, including a brand new ICT suite , reflecting investment in computing infrastructure that matches specialist designation. The integration of digital tools across teaching creates pathways for students exploring technology-based careers.
The sixth form stands as a distinct strength. Current A-level data shows 284 exam entries in 2025, with 50% of grades at A*-B , indicating that post-16 study remains a significant academic part of the school rather than a small add-on.
The Cambridge Pre-U course is offered alongside standard A-levels , providing alternative pathways for students seeking distinction or breadth. The range of subjects, detailed curriculum design, and supportive pastoral systems combine to produce the outstanding rating the school received in October 2024. Students describe pride in sixth form achievement and clear guidance toward university or employment pathways.
Norton Hill operates as a comprehensive, non-selective secondary. The school has 1,765 pupils from age 11 to 18 in the current profile data . Admissions follow standard local authority coordination procedures for Year 7. For 2027 entry through Bath and North East Somerset's secondary-transfer process, applications open on 12 September 2026, the deadline is 31 October 2026, offers are issued on 1 March 2027, and acceptances are due by 15 March 2027.
The school draws from its local area in Midsomer Norton and serves families beyond the immediate catchment. Located between Silver Street (B3355) and Fosseway (A367) near the former Midsomer Norton railway station , the school is reasonably accessible by car and serves a mixed urban-suburban community. For families researching Year 7 entry, the school's non-selective admission policy means applications follow Bath and North East Somerset's coordinated secondary-transfer process; for 2027 entry, applications open on 12 September 2026, close on 31 October 2026 and offers are issued on 1 March 2027.
Previous Year (2024/25 Entry)
Applications
433
Total received
Places Offered
268
Subscription Rate
1.6x
Applications per place
Pastoral provision receives Ofsted recognition. Safeguarding arrangements are robust, with rigorous processes tracking attendance and providing necessary support for those at risk of disengagement, and positive interactions with designated safeguarding leads reinforce students' trust in the system designed for their protection.
Bullying is uncommon and students are confident that any incidents are dealt with swiftly and effectively; students feel very safe.
The house system delivers pastoral care through named adults and consistent relationships. The school believes in rewarding effort, achievement and community spirit, operating a system of merits throughout the school for good work or good behaviour . This visible recognition framework reinforces positive culture and acknowledges contribution beyond examination success.
The school operates standard secondary hours. The sports hall can be accessed for various community activities , indicating the school's function within the broader community. Information about specific school day timings, lunch arrangements, and uniform requirements should be verified directly with the school's website at nortonhillschool.com, as operational details shift annually.
Sixth form entry and progression. The sixth form is internal and attracts many external applicants. Entry requirements for A-level courses should be confirmed with the school directly, as selection operates subject-by-subject based on prior attainment.
Progress 8 context. The Progress 8 score of 0.16, while positive, indicates that pupils at this school make progress broadly in line with national averages after accounting for starting points. This is solid rather than exceptional value-add; families expecting dramatic progress transformation may be better suited to schools showing Progress 8 scores above +0.5.
Specialist designations balanced with breadth. While the school holds specialist status in Maths, Computing and Languages, the comprehensive curriculum means the school prioritises breadth alongside these areas. Students seeking to concentrate entirely on one specialism may prefer schools with tighter focus.
GCSE-to-A-level leap. The gap between GCSE academic ranking (1,845th out of 3,895 schools in England) and A-level academic ranking (914th out of 2,549) indicates the sixth form operates at higher performance level than the main school. This suggests students completing GCSEs here may benefit from intensive GCSE teaching, then experience higher challenge and more independent learning in sixth form. This is appropriate progression; families should be aware the sixth form represents a significant step up in expectations and autonomy.
Norton Hill Academy delivers solid, mainstream secondary education paired with an genuinely strong sixth form. For local families within catchment, the school offers a comprehensive pathway from Year 7 through A-level with positive relationships, adequate facilities, and real university progression, particularly for post-16 students. The October 2024 Ofsted inspection's outstanding ratings for behaviour, personal development and sixth form provision indicate the school excels in pastoral care and sixth form leadership. Best suited to families seeking non-selective, community-focused secondary education with particular strength at post-16 level. The main consideration is ensuring realistic expectations about GCSE performance; this is a solid comprehensive, not a high-performing grammar alternative.
Yes. The school was rated Good overall by Ofsted in October 2024, with outstanding ratings specifically for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and sixth form provision. Current GCSE data shows 53.3% of pupils achieved grades 9-5 in English and maths, while A-level results place the school 914th out of 2,549 for academic outcomes, with 50% of grades at A*-B in 2025. The school has a positive Ofsted track record and serves its community effectively.
At GCSE, 53.3% of pupils achieved grades 9-5 in English and maths in the 2024-25 / 2025 dataset, with an Attainment 8 score of 50.2. The school ranks 1,845th out of 3,895 schools in England for GCSE academic outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). At A-level, 50% achieve grades B to A*, placing the school 914th out of 2,549 for A-level academic outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). The sixth form continues to rank more strongly than the main-school GCSE profile.
The sixth form was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in October 2024. Current A-level data shows 284 exam entries in 2025, with 50% of grades at A*-B and 20% at A*-A. The school offers A-levels and Cambridge Pre-U qualifications, with strong links to universities including Oxbridge and Harvard. Teaching is usually good to outstanding, and pastoral support is comprehensive.
The school offers an extensive enrichment programme including named clubs such as the George Orwell writing club, music producers club, and climbing club. Students participate in Duke of Edinburgh awards and Applied Learning programmes. The school has received Artsmark and Sportsmark awards. Facilities include drama spaces, sports hall, gymnasium, astroturf pitch, and seven tennis courts.
Recent Oxbridge and Russell Group destination figures should be treated as historical context unless checked against the latest school data. The current sixth-form performance data shows 284 A-level exam entries in 2025, with 20% of grades at A*-A and 50% at A*-B. Students also pursue apprenticeships and direct employment pathways after GCSEs.
The school emphasises high expectations, respect, and kindness, with these values embedded through the house system. The culture is described as inclusive and aspirational, with students encouraged to speak up against injustice. The school has received the International School Award multiple times, reflecting commitment to global learning. Behaviour is exemplary with an extremely positive climate for learning according to recent inspection.
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