Multiple schools in Somerset receive national recognition

Holy Trinity in Yeovil, St Andrew’s Church School in Bath, and both St George's Church School and St Mark’s Primary School in Weston-super-Mare were each praised for the 'exceptional outcomes'.

These were achieved by their disadvantaged pupils at the end of the 2024–25 academic year, placing them among the very best schools nationally for this measure.

In a letter to the schools, Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson congratulated staff and pupils on their success, describing it as a 'significant achievement' and highlighting the 'dedication, ambition and commitment' that underpin the results.

In response, Nikki Edwards, chief executive officer of Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust, expressed her 'delight'.

She said: “We are delighted to offer our sincere congratulations to Holy Trinity, St Andrew’s Bath, St George's and St Mark’s on the exceptional outcomes their disadvantaged pupils achieved at the end of the 2024–25 academic year.

"To have their success recognised nationally by the Secretary of State is an outstanding accomplishment, and one that reflects the remarkable work taking place across these school communities."

She added: “This achievement reflects the unwavering commitment of staff and the resilience and ambition of the children themselves. We are incredibly proud of the high‑quality provision and strong leadership in these schools, and of their relentless focus on inclusion, equity and excellence.”

Leaders from the four schools said they were 'honoured' to receive the recognition and highlighted the importance of inclusive practice in schools.

Sarah Starr, headteacher at St George's Church School, said: “We are honoured to be recognised for our work supporting children who face disadvantage. Inclusion sits at the heart of everything we do at St George’s, and we are proud to help every child and family thrive and believe that all things are possible.”

Adam Beauford, headteacher at Holy Trinity, added: “At Holy Trinity, we aspire for all to achieve. We strive to uplift every child by tailoring support to their academic and emotional needs. Through a rich and carefully developed curriculum, we help children become resourceful individuals with a strong sense of identity, resilience and responsibility, ready to embrace the opportunities ahead of them.”

Naomi Boyce, headteacher at St Andrew’s Church School, Bath, said: “We are incredibly proud that the achievements of our disadvantaged pupils have been recognised in this way. At St Andrew’s, we believe deeply in seeing the potential in every child and ensuring they feel valued, championed and supported. This acknowledgement reflects the daily dedication of our staff, the hard work of our pupils, and the strong partnership we share with families.

“Through a nurturing environment, a rich curriculum, and a commitment to high expectations for all, we strive to remove barriers and open doors for every learner. We are delighted that the progress of our children has been recognised nationally, and we remain determined to continue strengthening opportunities for every pupil in our community.”

Rebecca Hambleton, deputy headteacher at St Mark’s, said: “We are delighted to receive this recognition. This acknowledgement reflects the unwavering dedication of our staff, the hard work of our pupils, and the support of our families and wider community. At St Mark’s, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. We are proud that our commitment to high expectations and inclusive practice has led to national‑level success for our pupils.”

The government’s RISE programme aims to support schools nationally by promoting collaboration, sharing effective practice and strengthening outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.

BWMAT has said it welcomes the opportunity to contribute its expertise while continuing to focus on delivering the best possible education for the communities it serves.