Richard Huish College

About Richard Huish College

Richard Huish College, a state sixth-form college in Somerset, stands out sharply against the local authority average for secondary schools. While Somerset’s average Progress 8 score sits at -0.2, Richard Huish operates at a different level entirely, achieving a value-added score of 0.22 at A-level. This places the college in the 'Above average' progress banding, meaning students typically leave with better grades than their prior attainment would predict. The college’s A-level points per entry of 36.98 equates to a solid B- grade, and 15.4% of entries achieved the top AAB combination or higher. For a 16-19 institution in a county where no secondary school currently holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating, these figures mark Richard Huish as a clear outlier in terms of academic value-add.

The college’s exam results are based on 695 students in the 2023/24 academic year, a sizeable cohort that gives the data real weight. The best three A-levels average out at a B-, and the confidence interval for the value-added score (0.17 to 0.27) confirms the result is statistically significant — this isn’t a fluke. Compared with the local authority’s overall secondary performance, which is negative, Richard Huish’s positive value-added is particularly striking. The college doesn’t publish GCSE results because it only takes students from age 16, so the focus is squarely on how well it develops post-16 learners. With no maths or English progress figures to compare, the A-level data alone tells a strong story of a college that consistently pushes its students beyond expected outcomes.

Facilities are generous for a state sixth form: a swimming pool, sports hall, gymnasium, playing fields, theatre, and a dedicated sixth form centre. The sports programme includes rowing, martial arts, and dance alongside more traditional options like football and netball, while clubs range from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to Young Enterprise, debate, and orchestra. The college has no nursery provision and no religious character. Oversubscription data isn’t provided, but the large pupil count suggests healthy demand. This is a college for academically ambitious 16-19 year olds who want a focused, well-resourced environment in Somerset. Families should note that it’s a non-denominational state college with a strong track record of adding value, making it a particularly attractive option for students who may have underperformed at GCSE but have clear potential.

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