Ofsted: Good trending_up High Demand emoji_events #5 in Bristol, City of public Top 8% UK

Bristol Cathedral Choir School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Joseph Thurston

corporate_fareCATHEDRAL SCHOOLS TRUST

location_onBristol, BS1 5TS

language Visit Website phone 1173535000

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2022

groups

Students

1,176

trending_up

Attainment 8

54.6

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#5 in Bristol, City of

#504 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Bristol Cathedral Choir School is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Bristol, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Highly competitive: 2.0× more applications than places — plan well ahead.

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School Summary

Bristol Cathedral Choir School is an academy sponsor led in Bristol, Bristol, City of, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of CATHEDRAL SCHOOLS TRUST. The school has approximately 1,183 pupils on roll, of whom 26% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 54.6, placing the school #5 in Bristol, City of and #504 of 3,216 nationally. 60.10% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 35.0% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 23 A-level subjects. 64.6% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 32.8% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.12 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2022. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 2.0× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.0:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.7 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

54.6

Grade 5+ E&M

60.10%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)35.0%

Entering EBacc43.20%

EBacc APS4.99

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.55

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32.20%

EBacc APS4.96

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.41

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS4.82

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.37

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

59.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc44%

EBacc APS5.24

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.36

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS4.94

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.45

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc36%

EBacc APS5.11

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.12

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

200

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*9.8%

Achieving A*–A32.8%

Achieving A*–B64.6%

VA Banding Above average

Retention rate96.0%

A-level subjects offered23

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.07

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

207

Retention rate97.10%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

202

Retention rate99.50%

2022

Avg Grade

B+

Students

227

Retention rate95.2%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

29 November 2022

Inspection Report

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22 September 2021

Inspection Report

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12 January 2016

Inspection Report

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28 March 2014

Inspection Report

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07 March 2012

Inspection Report

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15 September 2010

Inspection Report

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07 October 2009

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2022-11-29

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2016-01-12

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2010-09-15

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

3.6%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.5%(30 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,183 pupils. During this period, there were 43 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.6%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,183	43	3.6%	7.3%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,187	22	1.9%	7.8%
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,172	26	2.2%	7.4%
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,167	27	2.3%	7.1%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,163	43	3.7%	8.2%
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,178	23	2.0%	6.6%
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,176	40	3.4%	6.4%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,169	22	1.9%	5.9%
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,186	26	2.2%	4.7%
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,188	37	3.1%	4.9%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,182	21	1.8%	4.4%
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,144	14	1.2%	3.6%
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,143	7	0.6%	1.0%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,143	15	1.3%	3.9%
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,083	0	0.0%	0.0%
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,083	18	1.7%	3.2%
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,079	20	1.9%	4.2%
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,065	17	1.6%	3.1%
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,069	18	1.7%	3.8%
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,066	47	4.4%	3.8%
2017/18 (Summer term)	978	40	4.1%	3.4%
2017/18 (Spring term)	978	30	3.1%	3.0%
2017/18 (Autumn term)	978	17	1.7%	3.7%
2016/17 (Summer term)	826	31	3.8%	3.0%
2016/17 (Spring term)	828	28	3.4%	3.3%
2016/17 (Autumn term)	828	16	1.9%	3.1%

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 72 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 53 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 36 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 34 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 18 pupils

Visual Impairment 7 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 7 pupils

Physical Disability 6 pupils

Hearing Impairment 5 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

90.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

92.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

17.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree53%

agree35%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree30%

agree40%

disagree19%

strongly disagree5%

don't know6%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree39%

agree24%

disagree9%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

not applicable24%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes24%

no76%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree38%

agree32%

disagree17%

strongly disagree10%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree64%

agree26%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree54%

agree34%

disagree4%

strongly disagree3%

don't know6%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree44%

agree44%

disagree8%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree42%

agree50%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree60%

agree32%

disagree4%

don't know3%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree51%

agree32%

disagree8%

strongly disagree2%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes92%

no8%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Church of England)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Bristol, City of

Redland Green School

E-Act Montpelier High School

Bristol Free School

St Bede's Catholic College

St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School

Cotham School