Pyrland School
N/A
Capacity
N/A
Pupils
1.3x
Demand
About Pyrland School
Pyrland School is a Church of England secondary for 11-16 year olds in Somerset that is currently significantly oversubscribed. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 272 applications for 206 places, with 164 of those applicants listing it as their first preference. This demand is notable given the school’s recent Ofsted rating, and it suggests that local families are choosing Pyrland for reasons that go beyond its inspection grade. The school’s intake is also worth considering in the context of its wider demographics: while the data does not include a specific free school meals percentage, the school’s Progress 8 score of -0.68 places it well below the national average, and it ranks 24th out of 26 secondary schools in Somerset on this measure. This combination of high demand and low academic outcomes presents a complex picture for parents weighing up their options.
Academically, Pyrland School’s most recent results paint a challenging picture. Its Progress 8 score of -0.68 is significantly below the Somerset local authority average of -0.2, and the school ranks in the bottom 10% nationally. The Attainment 8 score sits at 37.7, and just 32.1% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc entry rate is low at 14.3%, and the EBacc average point score is 3.17. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in January 2025, the school was rated Inadequate across all four key areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This is a downgrade from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2022. The Parent View survey, based on 72 responses, shows that while 64% of parents would recommend the school, only 48% strongly agree or agree that their child is happy, and just 26% feel concerns are dealt with properly.
On the practical side, Pyrland School offers a broad range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, music rooms, and a chapel, alongside sports such as rugby, hockey, and martial arts. It also runs clubs like Model UN, Young Enterprise, and coding. The school has a dedicated SEND department covering eight areas of need, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Speech, Language & Communication needs, though the Parent View data shows that 48% of respondents disagree that SEND children receive the support they need. The school is oversubscribed with a ratio of 1.32 applicants per place, meaning it is a popular choice despite its current Ofsted rating. This school may suit families who value its Church of England character, wide facilities, and local community feel, but who are prepared to engage closely with the school on academic standards and behaviour, both of which have been flagged as areas requiring urgent improvement.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Cheddon Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 7QP |
| Headteacher | Mark Lawrence |
| Local Authority | Somerset |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
28 Jan 2025Quality of Education
Inadequate
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Source: Ofsted, 28 Apr 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.68)
2824th of 3,141
Nationally
286th of 306
In South West
24th of 26
In Somerset
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/231%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 141 pupils).
- FE college76%
- Employment9%
- Not sustained9%
- Apprenticeship3%
- School sixth form (stay)1%
89% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
Ofsted Parent View
72 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed206
272
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
164 families put this school as their 1st choice (60% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British73.8%
- White (other)6.4%
- Mixed3.3%
- Asian2.9%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
7
Total schools
7
Oversubscribed
6
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pyrland School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Cheddon Road, Taunton
Somerset, TA2 7QP
Cheddon Road, Taunton
Somerset, TA2 7QP
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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