FOUR Somerset schools have received praise from Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, for their efforts to support disadvantaged children.

The schools, in the Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust (BWMAT), were cited in a letter from the secretary of state for results which ranked them among the best in the UK.

Holy Trinity in Yeovil, St Andrew’s Church School in Bath, as well as St Georges Church School and St Mark’s Primary School, both in Weston-super-Mare, were congratulated in the letter for “significant achievement”.

The secretary of state also encouraged the schools to continue sharing their effective practice through the government’s new Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) programme.

Nikki Edwards, chief executive officer of BWMAT, said: “We are delighted to offer our sincere congratulations to Holy Trinity, St Andrew’s Bath, St Georges and St Mark’s on the exceptional outcomes their disadvantaged pupils achieved at the end of the 2024–25 academic year.

“To have their success recognised nationally by the secretary of state is an outstanding accomplishment, and one that reflects the remarkable work taking place across these school communities.

“This achievement reflects the unwavering commitment of staff and the resilience and ambition of the children themselves. We are incredibly proud of the high-quality provision and strong leadership in these schools, and of their relentless focus on inclusion, equity and excellence.”

Sarah Starr, headteacher at St Georges Church School, said: “We are honoured to be recognised for our work supporting children who face disadvantage. Inclusion sits at the heart of everything we do at St George’s, and we are proud to help every child and family thrive and believe that all things are possible.”

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Adam Beauford, headteacher at Holy Trinity, added: “At Holy Trinity, we aspire for all to achieve. We strive to uplift every child by tailoring support to their academic and emotional needs.

“Through a rich and carefully developed curriculum, we help children become resourceful individuals with a strong sense of identity, resilience and responsibility, ready to embrace the opportunities ahead of them.”

Naomi Boyce, headteacher at St Andrew’s Church School, Bath, said: “We are incredibly proud that the achievements of our disadvantaged pupils have been recognised in this way.

“At St Andrew’s, we believe deeply in seeing the potential in every child and ensuring they feel valued, championed and supported. This acknowledgement reflects the daily dedication of our staff, the hard work of our pupils, and the strong partnership we share with families.

“Through a nurturing environment, a rich curriculum, and a commitment to high expectations for all, we strive to remove barriers and open doors for every learner. We are delighted that the progress of our children has been recognised nationally, and we remain determined to continue strengthening opportunities for every pupil in our community.”

And Rebecca Hambleton, deputy headteacher at St Mark’s, added: “We are delighted to receive this recognition. This acknowledgement reflects the unwavering dedication of our staff, the hard work of our pupils, and the support of our families and wider community.

“At St Mark’s, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. We are proud that our commitment to high expectations and inclusive practice has led to national-level success for our pupils.”

The government’s RISE programme aims to support schools nationally by promoting collaboration, sharing effective practice and strengthening outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.

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