Huish Episcopi Academy

About Huish Episcopi Academy

Huish Episcopi Academy is a large mixed secondary school in Somerset with 1,250 pupils on roll, operating well below its capacity of 1,570. Despite having room to grow, the school is clearly in demand: for the 2025/26 admissions cycle it received 251 applications for 202 places, with 197 of those coming as first preferences. That oversubscription ratio of 1.24 suggests local families are keen to secure a place, even with the school's recent Ofsted rating in mind. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 19%, which is above the national average for secondary schools and gives a sense of the socioeconomic mix of the intake. The school does not have a religious character and is non-denominational, so admission is not tied to faith criteria. With a sixth form on site, it caters for students from age 11 right through to 18, and the facilities include a swimming pool, theatre, chapel, and a dedicated sixth form centre.

Academically, the picture is mixed. At Key Stage 4, the school's Progress 8 score is -0.13, which is below the national average of zero but slightly above the Somerset local authority average of -0.2. This places Huish Episcopi 12th out of 26 schools in the county, putting it in the middle of the pack. The Attainment 8 score is 46.6, and 55.3% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc entry rate is low at 14.9%, with only 8.1% achieving the full EBacc at grade 5 or above. At A-level, the picture is brighter: the school's value added score is 0.23, rated as above average, and the average grade per entry is a B-, with the best three A-levels averaging a B grade. The sixth form has 58 students in the cohort, and 23.3% achieved at least AAB in facilitating subjects.

The school offers a broad range of extracurricular activities, including rowing, rugby, cricket, and a Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme, alongside clubs like debate, drama, and eco club. SEND provision is extensive, covering specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, and social, emotional and mental health needs. However, the most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2022 rated the school Inadequate overall, with all key areas — quality of education, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management — also judged Inadequate. The sixth form was rated Requires Improvement. This is a significant drop from its previous Good rating in 2012. For parents, the school clearly has strong local demand and a sixth form that adds genuine value, but the current Ofsted rating will be a major consideration, particularly around behaviour and leadership.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Huish Episcopi Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents