OFSTED data released by the Sunday Times has revealed how happy pupils are at Somerset secondary schools.
The data shows information for 42 schools in Somerset and North Somerset from parents who said that their children were happy from 2020 to 2025.
If you don't see a secondary school you're looking for in the list, that's because The Times has said their happiness school table 'only includes secondary schools with at least 500 pupils and 100 parent submissions'.
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The top 10 happiest Somerset schools list, in descending order, is as follows:
10 - St Katherine's School - scored 89%
Address: Pill Rd, Bristol, BS20 0HU.
Headteacher: Mr J Humphreys
Situated in Abbots Leigh, North Somerset, on the edge of Bristol, St Katherine's School aims to create an environment where students feel confident, secure, and valued, helping them perform at their best. According to the school's website, a St Katherine’s education is 'busy, purposeful and ambitious, but also great fun'.
9 - The Castle School - scored 89%
Address: Wellington Rd, Taunton, TA1 5AU.
Headteacher: Mr Jamie Wordsworth
Ranked as one of the best schools in Somerset according to the latest data from the Department for Education, Taunton Castle School aims to keep students happy in order for them to achieve their best grades.
Exams are certainly one measure of The Castle School’s success, with well above average performance levels for pupils at the end of Key Stage 4. In addition, an impressive 58.5 per cent of students in 2024 achieved grade 5 or above in GCSE English and Maths.
READ MORE: The Castle School: Inside one of Somerset’s top schools
8 - Saint Gregory's Catholic College - scored 90%
Address: Combe Hay Ln, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA.
Headteacher: Melissa George
Saint Gregory's Catholic College, Bath, states that their motto focuses on the school being an inclusive atmosphere.
The college's website reads: "Our motto is ‘In Christ We Flourish’ and we place great emphasis on our inclusive family atmosphere where all are nurtured to develop their God-given gifts and virtues. What makes St Gregory’s stand out from other schools is our commitment to the young people in our care, a commitment that encourages and inspires every child to fulfil their potential and flourish."
7 - Chew Valley School - scored 90%
Address: Chew Ln, Chew Magna, Bristol, BS40 8QB.
Headteacher: Mr Gareth Beynon
Situated in Chew Valley, North Somerset, the school's website reads: "Chew Valley is founded on a commitment to enable all of our students to learn, grow and achieve. Many people who visit us comment on the fact that the school is about developing the 'whole student' who is ready to play a confident role in the world."
6 - Court fields School - scored 91%
Address: Court Fields School, Mantle St, Wellington, TA21 8SW.
Headteacher: Mrs Polly Matthews
The school's website reads: "Our students represent the very best of Court Fields. Visitors to our school always comment on their courtesy and politeness. They are an absolute credit to themselves and to their parents and carers.
"Together with our staff, Governors and our wider community in Wellington we are working to provide the very best education for our children, both academically and pastorally. Our aim is for every child to achieve, belong and participate and this is at the heart of everything we do at Court Fields."
5 - Oldfield School - scored 91%
Address: Kelston Rd, Bath, BA1 9AB.
Headteacher: Andy Greenhough
Oldfield School, Bath, is one of the happiest secondary schools in Somerset. Since February 2011, it has had academy status, meaning that it operates outside the local authority's control. Prior to 2012, the main school was for girls only, with a co-educational sixth form.
The school's website reads: "Oldfield School is a high attaining 11-18 mixed comprehensive with 1250 students located in the historic city of Bath. We benefit from a large, semi-rural setting with excellent transport links. Our school has a well-established reputation locally and in the wider community for academic excellence and the quality of pastoral care and support."
4 - Hayesfield Girls School - scored 92%
Address: Upper Oldfield Park, Bath, BA2 3LA.
Headteacher: Mr Philip White
"Girls flourish in a single-sex environment. At Hayesfield we consistently strive to make progress and this is reflected in examination results at GCSE, which are always in the top 10% of schools nationally."
3 - Stanchester Academy - scored 92%
Address: Montacute Rd, Stoke-sub-Hamdon, TA14 6UG.
Headteacher: Gregg Mockridge
2 - Beechen Cliff School - scored 93%
Address: Kipling Ave, Bath, BA2 4RE.
Headteacher: Mr Tim Markall
"Our vision is to enable our pupils and students to achieve their aspirations and become well-rounded, confident and compassionate individuals who go on to live fulfilled lives and make a positive contribution to society. We have high expectations of our pupils in terms of their learning, conduct and appearance and encourage all to take advantage of the opportunities available to them at school."
1 - Sexey's School - scored 98%
Address: Cole Rd, Bruton, BA10 0DF.
Headteacher: Hellen Cullen
The school's website reads: "We are a Church of England, non-selective state boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 11-18, in Bruton, Somerset. We are ambitious for our students’ academic achievement and provide an inclusive, friendly environment — producing confident young people."
The full list of all the schools that featured in the Sunday Times list also includes:
You can read about all the happiest schools in each UK area via the Sunday Times website.
