Best State Secondary Schools in South West

Heart of the Forest Community Special School is a co-ed all-through school located in South West GL16 7EJ. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and a total of 124 students, the school provides individualized education for children aged 3-19 with diverse special educational needs. The school offers a nurturing environment, stimulating learning opportunities, and effective safeguarding measures. It has received a good overall rating from Ofsted, highlighting the pupils' progress, quality of teaching, and behavior and safety. The school also prioritizes independent careers advice and has a positive impact on student development. However, some areas of improvement include clearer handwriting among staff, better letter formation for legibility, and further understanding of why some pupils have not met expected progress. Overall, Heart of the Forest Community Special School promotes a supportive and inclusive learning environment for its students.

ACE Schools Plymouth is a co-educational all-through school situated in Plymouth, South West. With a strong emphasis on individualized instruction and a committed team, we provide a second chance for students to succeed and achieve their full potential. Our passionate leaders and strong management systems ensure a safe and nurturing environment for all students.

Three Ways School is an all-through school located in Bath and North East Somerset. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and a focus on inclusive education, the school provides a supportive learning environment for students aged 2-19. The school has received a Good overall rating from Ofsted, highlighting its commitment to outstanding behaviour and attitudes. With outstanding early years provision and a range of SEN support, Three Ways School ensures every child can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Montacute School is an all-through school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Founded in 2011, the school provides education for students aged 2 to 18 years. With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Montacute School offers personalized attention and a curriculum designed to meet the special educational needs of all pupils. The school has a strong monitoring system for teaching quality and progress, ensuring that all groups of pupils make good progress. Pupils feel safe and enjoy school, with effective safeguarding procedures in place. Montacute School also offers a well-managed early years program and a good range of studies for post-16 students.

North Cornwall Alternative Provision Academy is a good all-through school located in Bodmin. With a small number of students, it offers a supportive and inclusive environment for children aged 5-16. The school provides a range of therapeutic support and has a strong track record of preparing students for their next steps. It ensures effective safeguarding measures are in place and has well-equipped specialist teaching spaces.

Caradon Alternative Provision Academy is an all-through school providing education for children aged 5-16. With a total student population of 11, the school offers a well-balanced curriculum that enables pupils to make good progress in various subjects. The school's commitment to addressing weaknesses and supporting teachers is evident in its overall effectiveness rating of Good. Students receive excellent support with special educational needs, and have positive relationships with staff.

Minehead Middle School is a co-educational school in Minehead, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 26:1, our school provides a nurturing and respectful environment. We have an outstanding leadership and management team, ensuring high academic standards. Our students feel safe, and their progress in mathematics and French has shown improvement. While attendance rates have declined slightly, our dedicated teachers strive to improve written work in humanities and science.

Merchants' Academy is an all-through school in Bristol, offering education from age 3 to 18. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 and a strong focus on personal development, the school provides a supportive and nurturing environment. Despite previous challenges, the school has made improvements in academics and resources, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education. With a dedicated pastoral team and a commitment to embracing new students, Merchants' Academy is a welcoming choice for parents looking for a school that values every child's potential.

Westhaven School is an all-through co-educational school located in Weston-super-Mare. With a student teacher ratio of 7:1, the school provides individualized attention and a supportive learning environment. Offering a range of academic and personal development opportunities, the school aims to nurture students' abilities and potential. Although the school requires improvement in certain areas, it maintains a good standard of behavior and attitudes. Furthermore, Westhaven School boasts excellent resources and a strong focus on student welfare and safety.

West Moors Middle School is a co-ed middle deemed secondary school located in West Moors, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, the school offers a supportive learning environment for students aged 9-13. The school provides education to 215 students, with a focus on speech, language, and communication needs. With a good overall grade from Ofsted and strong exam results, West Moors Middle School ensures that students develop academically, socially, and emotionally.

Broadstone Middle School is a co-ed school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school focuses on providing a high-quality education for children aged 9-14. The school prides itself on its good overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Broadstone Middle School aims to prepare students for the challenges of the twenty-first century, fostering a culture of high expectations and providing a safe and exciting environment for academic, social, physical, cultural, and spiritual development. With a dedicated staff and strong parental involvement, the school ensures that students have the best chances to reach their full potential and become successful members of society.

Cranborne Middle School is a welcoming and nurturing institution that prioritizes the holistic development of students. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides a safe and supportive learning environment. The school has a good Ofsted rating and offers a broad curriculum, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the future. The school's commitment to continuous improvement is evident in its effective leadership and focus on quality teaching. With a strong emphasis on personal development and high academic standards, Cranborne Middle School aims to empower students to reach their full potential.

Selwood Academy is a Church of England/Methodist co-educational school located in Frome, South West. With an overall grade of Good from Ofsted, the school provides a high quality education for students aged 9-13. With a student-teacher ratio of 21:1 and a focus on personal development, Selwood Academy offers a safe and supportive learning environment for its diverse student population.

St Mary's Church of England Middle School in Puddletown is a welcoming and inclusive school that values academic excellence and personal growth. With a strong focus on Christian values, the school provides a supportive learning environment where students can thrive. With a student-teacher ratio of 20:1, individual attention is given to each student. The school's good overall rating from Ofsted reflects its commitment to providing a quality education. In addition, the school's exam results show high achievement in maths and reading, with 66% of students achieving GCSE 4 or higher. St Mary's Church of England Middle School is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential and preparing them for future success.

Ellen Tinkham School is an outstanding special school located in Exeter, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and a focus on all-round education for children aged 3-19 with severe learning disabilities, the school provides exceptional instruction and support. The school prides itself on its inclusive culture, fostering a friendly and cooperative environment where every voice is heard. With an overall grade of B- and an Ofsted rating of A+, Ellen Tinkham School is dedicated to ensuring that each student reaches their full potential.

St Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehill, is a co-ed school located in Colehill, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 21:1 and a strong focus on progress in English, the school provides a nurturing environment for students aged 9-13. The school has a Good overall rating from Ofsted, with effective leadership and management. Pupils are well-behaved and challenged to think deeply, while disadvantaged students are making better progress. However, there are some pockets of weaker teaching that still need improvement.

Westfield Arts College is an outstanding all-through school located in Preston, Dorset. With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, our tailored teaching programs and interventions provide excellent support for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Moderate Learning Difficulty. We have effective safeguarding policies, good staff support and training, and a positive Ofsted report. Our focus on individual progress ensures each student receives the education they deserve.

Victoria Education Centre is a co-educational all-through school located in Bournemouth. With a dedicated leadership team, the school provides excellent provision for children with special needs and disabilities, offering a wide range of sporting and cultural activities for diverse experiences. The school has a positive attitude towards learning and effective safeguarding, ensuring the well-being of all students. With good progress seen in early years and post-16 provision, Victoria Education Centre is committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Snowdon Village is an all-through school located in Bristol, South West. With a dedicated and passionate staff, the school focuses on inspiring leadership and building strong relationships with students. While there are areas for improvement, Snowdon Village provides a nurturing environment for children aged 4-16.

Oakfield Academy is a co-educational middle deemed secondary school located in Frome, South West. Founded in 2011, the school provides high-quality education for students aged 9-13 years. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 19:1, the school offers a supportive and inclusive environment, catering to students with SEN support. Oakfield Academy prioritizes personal development and offers a range of resources to enhance learning. While improvements are needed in some areas, the school has a good track record in academics, with impressive KS2 exam results.