Buckler's Mead School
1 St. Johns Road, Yeovil, BA21 4NHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Buckler's Mead School is a secondary school in Yeovil for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 301 schools in Somerset. It ranks 2nd of 3 secondary schools in Yeovil. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 21 May 2024, report published 3 July 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 21 May 2024
Buckler's Mead is an inclusive school. The school is welcoming and pupils respect the differences in other people. Pupils are happy and feel safe in school. The school has developed an ambitious curriculum for pupils. It is broad, balanced and reflects the school's aims to provide 'an inspiring education for all'. Staff have high expectations for pupils' academic learning. Pupils benefit from the curriculum and are well prepared for their next steps. Pupils respond well to the school's 'sky high expectations'. They understand these expectations and think they are fair. Pupils behave considerately towards each other and to staff. Pupils display positive attitudes to their learning in lessons and try their best. At social times, pupils behave well and there is a calm atmosphere in the school. If bullying happens, pupils are confident that staff will deal with it quickly. The school provides a broad range of experiences to enhance pupils' learning. Pupils enjoy a variety of clubs and activities. The school makes sure these are accessible to all. Pupils speak excitedly about termly concerts and the upcoming school musical. There are a raft of leadership opportunities, including being a prefect, ambassador or part of student voice. These positions allow pupils to support and represent their peers.
What the school should improve
- There is some variability in the delivery of the curriculum. Assessment and explanations are not always used effectively. This means that sometimes pupils do not remember important knowledge and concepts. The school needs to ensure that the curriculum is implemented and taught consistently well so that pupils know more, remember more and achieve well across all subjects.
- Pupils receiving additional support with their reading do not have books matched closely to the sounds they are learning. This prevents these pupils from building their confidence and fluency further. The school should make sure that the books pupils read help them to practise the reading skills they have learned.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
150 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
812 pupils on roll, with places for 1,020
Schools near Buckler's Mead School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westfield Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 44.5 |
| Preston School Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 45.9 |
| Sherborne School for Girls | 4 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 34.3 |
| Stanchester Academy | 5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | Attainment 8: 43.7 |
| Sherborne Preparatory School | 5 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- MIDSOMER NORTON SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mark Lawrence
- Phone
- 01935424454
- Address
- 1 St. Johns Road, Yeovil, BA21 4NH
- Local authority
- Somerset
- URN
- 148830
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.