Best State Secondary Schools in South West

Linwood School is an outstanding all-through school in Bournemouth, offering education for students aged 2 to 19 years. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1 and a strong focus on supporting pupils' independence, the school provides a nurturing and inclusive environment. The dedicated leadership team and quality teaching ensure that students make exceptional progress in their learning. Safeguarding is prioritized, providing peace of mind for parents. With a range of special educational needs catered for, including autism spectrum disorder, moderate to severe learning difficulties, and profound multiple learning difficulties, Linwood School is committed to meeting the individual needs of every student.

Alderman Knight School is an outstanding middle deemed secondary co-ed school located in Tewkesbury. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, the school maintains high standards of teaching and provides strong support to pupils, helping them make outstanding progress. Under the leadership of Mrs Clare Steel, the headteacher, the school has excellent attitudes to learning and behaviour, and ensures a safe and secure environment for all students. The sixth form at Alderman Knight School enables students to achieve very well, and the school has received an overall grade of A+ from Snobe, including outstanding ratings in academics, teachers, and outcomes for pupils. With an outstanding Ofsted rating, the school excels in all aspects of education, making it an excellent choice for parents seeking a high-quality learning environment for their children.

Tregonwell Academy is an outstanding all-through school in Bournemouth, offering a high-quality education for students aged 5-16. Led by a passionate headteacher and dedicated staff, the school maintains excellent standards of teaching and leadership, ensuring the achievement and well-being of all students. With effective safeguarding measures in place, Tregonwell Academy provides a safe and engaging learning environment. While there are areas for improvement such as the need for more supported apprenticeships, the school consistently demonstrates its commitment to providing an outstanding education for its students.

Fiveways Special School is an outstanding all-through school in Yeovil, South West, providing education for students aged 4-19 with severe and profound learning difficulties. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and a highly dedicated staff, the school excels in delivering high-quality education and ensuring positive outcomes for all pupils. The leadership and management team, along with the governing body, have consistently maintained the outstanding quality of education. The school prioritizes safeguarding and provides a safe and nurturing environment for its students. While there may be higher levels of persistent absence, particularly for girls with medical conditions, the school's overall effectiveness and achievement of pupils are outstanding. Fiveways Special School is a place where every student is supported and empowered to reach their full potential.

Marland School is an all-through boarding school located in Peters Marland, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, the school provides individualized attention to ensure the academic and personal progress of each student. The school focuses on understanding and responding to students' emotional and social needs, supporting them towards their employment choices. With clear leadership and good improvements since the last inspection, Marland School provides a safe and nurturing environment for students to thrive.

Beaucroft Foundation School is an outstanding all-through school located in Colehill, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, the school provides a high-quality and supportive environment for students aged 4-19. The dedicated leadership and exceptional teaching staff ensure that each student's individual needs are met, resulting in outstanding achievement and excellent exam results. The school focuses on raising students' self-esteem, promoting lifelong learning, and preparing them for post-secondary options. Safety measures, effective safeguarding, and a wide range of therapies and activities contribute to the overall outstanding experience at Beaucroft Foundation School.

Yewstock School is an outstanding all-through school in Sturminster Newton, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and a focus on speech, language, and communication skills, Yewstock provides exceptional education for students aged 2-19. The school's leadership team and teachers have been praised for their effective teaching, outstanding achievement of pupils, and strong safeguarding measures. While there may be some inconsistencies in the support for communication skills development, Yewstock School excels in overall effectiveness and offers a safe and nurturing environment for students to thrive.

New Horizons Learning Centre is a progressive and nurturing school that prioritizes the social, emotional, and mental health needs of students. With a strong leadership team and a restorative approach to behavior management, the school provides a safe and inclusive learning environment. The curriculum is broad and aligned with independent careers advice, ensuring students are prepared for the future. Despite some areas for improvement such as attendance and writing skills, the school is dedicated to producing extraordinary success through cutting-edge instruction and fostering lifelong learners.

Pathfield School is an all-through co-educational school located in Barnstaple, South West. With a student teacher ratio of 7:1, the school provides a nurturing environment for students aged 3-19 with a range of special educational needs. The school has a Good overall effectiveness according to Ofsted, with Outstanding personal development, behaviour, and welfare. However, there have been some challenges in leadership and planned improvements. Despite this, the school's curriculum effectively caters to the needs of its students, ensuring their personal growth and well-being.

Claremont School is an all-through school located in Bristol. With a dedicated and passionate leadership team, the school provides a high-quality education for students aged 2-19. The school has a strong focus on meeting complex needs, with highly skilled staff ensuring effective education. Outstanding safeguarding measures are in place, providing parents with peace of mind. The school's previous inspection rated it as outstanding, with good overall effectiveness and achievement of pupils. Teachers plan motivating activities, leading to good progress, and the school has exceptional resources and safety measures.

Swindon Academy is an all-through school located in Central Swindon North. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school provides a supportive and enriching environment for students aged 3-19. The school offers a wide range of resources and has a strong focus on academic achievement, as evidenced by its good overall grade from Ofsted. The dedicated staff and effective leadership ensure students receive a good quality of teaching, resulting in positive outcomes. With excellent facilities and a commitment to personal development, Swindon Academy is an ideal choice for parents seeking a well-rounded education for their children.

Barley Lane School is a co-educational middle deemed secondary school located in St Thomas, Exeter. With a student-teacher ratio of 4:1, the school provides a positive and supportive learning environment for its 79 students aged 7-16. Led by Mr David Jones, the school maintains a good overall effectiveness and focuses on the social, emotional, and mental health of its students. The dedicated staff, high morale, and teamwork ensure a quality education. Although exam results show room for improvement, the leadership and teaching quality continue to progress.

Bristol Hospital Education Service is an outstanding all-through school located in Bristol. With a commitment to high-quality education and leadership, the school provides a thorough and inclusive referral process for pupils. The dedicated staff ensure impressive gains in attendance and achievement, while effective safeguarding measures promote positive outcomes for students' personal development.

Devon Hospitals' Short Stay School is a co-ed all-through school providing a good quality education for students aged 5-16. With tailored lessons, positive partnerships and effective safeguarding measures, parents can trust their child's individual needs will be met in a flexible and safe learning environment.

Crowdys Hill School is a comprehensive special school located in Central Swindon North. With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, our dedicated staff work tirelessly to provide a high-quality education for our 252 students aged 4-19 with moderate learning difficulties. Our school offers a vibrant and inclusive learning environment where strong relationships between adults and pupils foster a sense of belonging. We value the personal development and welfare of our students, offering varied experiences through our curriculum, including farm, shop, and residential activities. With an overall effectiveness grade of Good, we are proud of the progress our students make from different starting points. Our Post-16 provision successfully prepares students for adulthood and life beyond school. At Crowdys Hill School, we believe in learning for life and strive to empower our students to actively engage as respected members of their community.

Fairmead School is an inclusive and caring all-through school in Yeovil Without, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1, our dedicated staff provide a structured approach to support social and emotional development. We have a strong culture of safeguarding and pupils make good progress in literacy and numeracy. Our overall grade is A-, demonstrating our commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students.

Community & Hospital Education Service Ap Academy is an outstanding all-through school located in Truro. With a small student population of 15, the school provides excellent education for students aged 4-16. The dedicated staff adapt the curriculum to meet the complex needs of students, ensuring their social, emotional, and health needs are fully supported. Parents appreciate the staff's dedication and skill in overcoming barriers faced by students. Overall, the school offers a safe and nurturing environment for children to thrive academically and personally.

Ravenswood School is an all-through school located in Nailsea, South West. With a student teacher ratio of 7:1 and a gender mix of co-ed, the school offers a supportive learning environment for students aged 3-19. The school's leadership team has successfully raised expectations and implemented effective monitoring systems to ensure progress and safeguarding. The school also prioritizes individual student pathways and provides clear expectations and consequences for behavior management. With a Good Ofsted rating and a focus on continuous improvement, Ravenswood School aims to provide high-quality education and support for every student's learning and life skills independence.

Woodlands School is an all-through school catering to students aged 2-19. With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1 and a strong emphasis on individualized learning, our dedicated staff ensure that every child receives the support they need. Our outstanding behavior and safety record, along with our comprehensive services for families, make Woodlands a top choice for parents seeking a nurturing and inclusive educational environment.

Venturers' Academy is a good all-through school located in Bristol. With a passionate and dedicated principal, the school provides effective safeguarding measures to ensure the safety of its students. The school offers enriching social and cultural experiences, fostering positive attitudes towards learning. Students demonstrate outstanding behavior and benefit from a strong focus on their personal development. While there are areas for improvement in teaching for younger pupils and writing skills, the school's overall effectiveness, leadership, and management are rated as good by Ofsted.