Frome’s state schools get lower results than 85% of towns in England
53% of Frome’s primary pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, below both Somerset’s towns (60%) and towns in England (62%). 11 state-funded schools are located in Frome’s built-up area. Frome grades C− for schools, on Department for Education Key Stage 2 and GCSE results: #38 of 49 in Somerset. Ofsted is shown, not graded.
Frome’s secondary results beat 28% of English towns; its primary results beat 14%. 53% of the large town’s 11-year-olds meet the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, against 62% at the average school in England and 58% across Somerset. Every school’s result ↓
One trust runs much of it
9 of Frome’s 11 state schools belong to 5 academy trusts. Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership runs 5 of them, including Frome Community College, Oakfield and Selwood: 2,446 of the 2,446 secondary pupils. Who runs them ↓
Written from the Department for Education and Ofsted data on this page.
School Grade
Frome grades C− for schools
Against every town in England with results; Wales publishes none.
Primary: reading, writing and maths at 11 (53% meet the standard)Better than 14% of towns in England
Secondary: Attainment 8 and grade 5+ English and maths (42.8 and 39%)Better than 28% of towns in England
The primary figure: 4 primaries in the town, 1,090 pupils in results over three years. Frome has 1 secondary of its own with GCSE results, too few to judge on, so the secondary figure uses the 1 graded secondary in and within 3 km of the town (316 pupils in results). Mainstream state schools only (grammar schools included); special schools, alternative provision, nurseries and 16–19 colleges are listed below but not graded. Each school’s results are compared with every school in England, then weighted by its pupils.
Map
Where Frome’s 11 state schools are
Each school at its address, coloured by its own letter and sized by pupils. Open a school for its own page. The dashed shape is Frome’s built-up area.
PrimarySecondary (named)Special, nursery, 16–19Size: pupilsABCDNo letter
Most schools give places by distance once siblings are in, so the schools nearest a home matter more than any league table. The 3 secondaries are named.
Getting a place
How school places work in Frome
Somerset County Council handles applications for every state school in Frome, academies included. You apply to the council where you live, even for a school in another area.
Secondary (starting at 11)Apply by 31 October of Year 6. Offers on 1 March.
Primary (starting in Reception)Apply by 15 January before the September your child starts. Offers on 16 April.
Moving mid-yearApply to the council for an in-year place; it tells you which schools have room.
When a school is full
Every school publishes its admissions rules. Children in care come first, then, at most schools, brothers and sisters of current pupils, then those who live nearest. 5 of Frome’s 10 mainstream schools have a religious character; some of them give priority by church attendance, so check each school’s rules. Infant classes are limited to 30 by law. If you’re refused a place, you can appeal to an independent panel.
Pupils on roll as a share of the school’s official capacity. The black tick is 100%.
Hayesdown First100%
Trinity incl. nursery99%
Selwood93%
Avanti Park incl. nursery93%
Frome Community College87%
St Louis85%
Oakfield70%
Vallis First65%
St John's62%
Christ Church First incl. nursery20%
DfE register of schools (GIAS), January 2026 census. Capacity often excludes a nursery class, so a school with a nursery can show over 100%.
The schools
11 state schools in Frome
Each school’s own letter compares its results with every state school in England of the same phase: Key Stage 2 for primaries, GCSEs for secondaries. Open a school for its results, how its letter is worked out, Ofsted and a map.
Letters of Frome’s schoolsA0B2C2D16 without a letter
Key result: Attainment 8 and grade 5+ English and maths (GCSEs, 2025/26 provisional) for secondaries; the share meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (KS2, DfE’s three-year average) for primaries. Pupils: the January 2026 school census. No letter: an infant or first school (no KS2 tests), a new school, a small cohort DfE suppresses, or a special school, nursery or college. Independent schools aren’t included.
Ofsted
Ofsted report cards
Each school’s latest inspection; report cards replace one-word judgements as schools are re-inspected.
Good 2Report card 2Requires improvement 1Ungraded inspection only 6
Ofsted stopped giving one-word judgements in 2024. Until a school is re-inspected, its last overall judgement is its most recent single grade; a school judged years ago may have changed a lot since.
Since November 2025 Ofsted gives each area of a school one of five grades (exceptional, strong standard, expected standard, needs attention, urgent improvement) and says whether safeguarding is met, instead of one overall word. 2 of Frome’s 11 state schools have a report card so far; the others show their last inspection under the old framework. Ofsted is never part of the School Grade.
Academies are state schools run by a trust rather than the council: the trust employs the staff and can set its own curriculum and term dates. Admissions still go through the council.
Run by
Schools
Pupils
Their letters
Midsomer Norton Schools PartnershipFrome Community College, Selwood, Oakfield, Trinity, Critchill Special
5
2,839
CBD
Avanti Schools TrustAvanti Park
1
503
C−
Partnership TrustHayesdown First
1
299
—
Dunstan Catholic Educational TrustSt Louis
1
178
B−
Bath and Wells Diocesan Academies TrustChrist Church First
1
47
—
Somerset County CouncilSt John's, Vallis First
2
370
—
After 16
Where Frome’s teenagers go at 16
In England young people stay in education or training until 18: a sixth form, a college, or an apprenticeship.
1 of Frome’s 3 state secondaries has a sixth form: Frome Community College. The nearest college is Bath College, a further-education college 10.5 miles away.
Secondaries with a sixth form
1 of 3
state schools in Frome
Colleges within 12 miles
1
nearest: Bath College
Grammar schools in Somerset
0
no selective state secondaries
Special needs
Special schools and alternative provision in Frome
Frome has 1 special school (Critchill Special: 96 pupils). A special-school place isn’t applied for like a mainstream one: for a child with an education, health and care plan (EHCP), Somerset County Council names the school in the plan, after asking the family’s preference. These schools have no letter, because their results don’t compare with mainstream schools’. Their cards ↑
Somerset County Council’s SEND Local Offer lists support beyond these schools.
Towns its size
204th of 230 English towns of 20,000 to 38,000
Ranked by School Grade, best first: the towns either side of Frome, and the top and bottom of the group.
Coleford 1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 5.5 mi
D
53%
—
Southwick 1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 6 mi
C−
54%
42.9
Westbury 5 schools · uses schools within 3 km · 6.1 mi
C−
47%
47.1
Warminster 8 schools · uses schools within 3 km · 6.1 mi
C+
60%
45.8
Beckington has the best-graded schools nearby (B−). Small places often use the schools within 3 km, so neighbours can share schools.
How to read these numbers
What this data can and can’t tell you
•
Expected standard at Key Stage 2. The share of 11-year-olds who reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths together, in tests and teacher assessment at the end of primary school. We use DfE’s three-year average (2023–2025) to steady small schools.
•
Higher standard. The share working at greater depth in all three. In Frome: 10% (England’s average school: 8%).
•
Attainment 8. A pupil’s GCSE grades across eight subjects, with English and maths counted twice, added up. 50 is roughly a grade 5 in every subject.
•
Grade 5+ in English and maths. A strong pass in both. Grade 4 is a standard pass.
•
Provisional. 2025/26 GCSE figures are DfE’s first release; revised figures follow in February, usually within a point.
•
Progress 8. Not shown: there is none for 2025/26, because these pupils sat no KS2 tests in 2020 (Covid).
•
Free school meals. Pupils eligible for free school meals now, from the January census: the usual measure of how many pupils come from low-income homes.
•
Independent schools. Not included: they publish no results comparable with state schools’.
Questions about schools in Frome
Are schools in Frome good?
Frome’s state schools earn a C− against schools across England: primary results beat 14% of towns in England; secondary results beat 28% of towns in England, on Department for Education Key Stage 2 and GCSE results. School places are handled by Somerset council.
What is the best primary school in Frome?
On Key Stage 2 results over 2023–25, St Louis Catholic Primary School, Frome: 63% of pupils meet the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, against 62% at the average school in England.
Do Frome secondary schools have sixth forms?
1 of 3 do.
How do I apply for a school place in Frome?
Through Somerset County Council, for every state school including academies. Secondary applications close on 31 October (offers 1 March); primary on 15 January (offers 16 April).
How many state schools are in Frome?
11 open state-funded schools are located in Frome’s built-up area: 7 primary, 3 secondary and 1 other (special schools, alternative provision, nurseries and 16–19). Independent schools aren’t included.
Sources: DfE Get Information about Schools (16 October 2026), Key Stage 2 performance tables (2023–2025, three-year average) and Key Stage 4 (2025/26, provisional); Ofsted state-funded school inspections as at 30 September 2026 · DfE Get Information about Schools (16 October 2026), further-education and sixth-form colleges · TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranked against UK towns only. All under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
