Polden Bower School
Foundation special school in Bridgwater (Somerset).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
iWritten by WhatSchool from official school data (Get Information about Schools, DfE and Ofsted).Polden Bower School is a special school located in Bridgwater, Somerset. The school caters for boys and girls aged 4 to 19. The Headteacher is Helen Farnell (Executive Headteacher) Ryan Parker-Binns (Head of School).
Enrichment
2 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Forest School
- Times Tables Rock Stars
Awards
2 awardsiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Anti-Bullying CharterRecognised award
- Duke of EdinburghPersonal development
Key facts
- URN
- 123938
- Type
- Foundation special school
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Ages
- 4 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Has a sixth form
- Local authority
- Somerset
- Constituency
- Bridgwater
- Setting
- Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city
Governing body (8 current, 1 former)
Special schools governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr David Purcell | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Kerry Hather | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mr Clive Padgett | Governor | Nominated by LA and appointed by GB | since 2021 · until 2029 |
| Mrs Gill Watton | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2020 · until 2028 |
| Mrs Helen Walker | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2020 · until 2028 |
| Mrs Suria Aujla | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2019 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Helen Farnell | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2016 |
| Mrs Jayne Forrester | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2016 · until 2028 |
| Mr Nigel Meeson Former | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record