Polden Bower School
Bower Lane, Bridgwater Without, Somerset, TA6 4GU
Inspected 21 May 2024
About Polden Bower School
Polden Bower School is a foundation special school in Bridgwater Without, Somerset, England, for pupils aged 4–19. It has 247 pupils on roll. Its most recent Ofsted inspection (21 May 2024) rated it Good. At GCSE, pupils achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 0.2 (2025/26). At the end of Key Stage 2, 0% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. 43.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 8.5% have English as an additional language.
School Information
- Local Authority
- Somerset →
- School Type
- Foundation special school
- Age Range
- Ages 4–19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Pupils / Capacity
- 247 / 200 (124%) · over capacity
- Sixth Form
- Has a sixth form
- Religious Character
- Does not apply
- Last Ofsted Inspection
- 21 May 2024
Pupil profile
2025/26Who attends this school — useful context if you’re considering teaching here.
Source: DfE School Census, 2025/26, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Results & performance
2025/26Official Department for Education results, pupil destinations and attendance.
Where pupils go next
Attendance
Source: Department for Education performance tables, 2025/26, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Some independent schools’ qualifications (e.g. IGCSEs) are not all reflected in these figures.
Workforce
2024/25Staffing at this school, with the trend over recent years — useful if you’re considering working here.
Data for the 2024/25 academic year (trend lines show 3 years). Source: DfE School Workforce Census, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. State-funded schools only.
School finances
2024-25How this school is funded and where the money goes — per pupil.
Source: DfE school finance returns (CFR for council-maintained schools, AAR for academies), 2024-25, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Per-pupil figures are calculated from total income/expenditure.
Contact Details
- Address
- Bower Lane, Bridgwater Without, Somerset, TA6 4GU
- Phone
- 01278496386
- Headteacher
- Helen Farnell (Executive Headteacher) Ryan Parker-Binns (Head of School)
Teaching Jobs
Applications handled externally
Recruitment agencies in Bridgwater Without
Coming soonTeaching agencies that actively recruit in Bridgwater Without will be listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What type of school is Polden Bower School?
- Polden Bower School is a foundation special school in Bridgwater Without, Somerset, England, for pupils aged 4–19.
- How many pupils does Polden Bower School have?
- Polden Bower School has 247 pupils on roll, according to Department for Education data.
- What is Polden Bower School's Ofsted rating?
- Polden Bower School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection (21 May 2024).
- How does Polden Bower School perform at GCSE?
- Pupils at Polden Bower School achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 0.2 in 2025/26.
- How does Polden Bower School perform at Key Stage 2 (SATs)?
- 0% of pupils at Polden Bower School met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of Key Stage 2.
- Where is Polden Bower School?
- Polden Bower School is located at Bower Lane, Bridgwater Without, Somerset, TA6 4GU.
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