Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up Popular emoji_events #9 in Gloucestershire public Top 9% UK

The Cotswold Academy

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

personMr W Morgan

corporate_fareTHE COTSWOLD SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST

location_onCheltenham, GL54 2BD

language Visit Website phone 1451820554

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2025

groups

Students

1,414

trending_up

Attainment 8

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GCSE Rank

#10 in Gloucestershire

#620 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Cotswold Academy is a Academy converter secondary school in Cheltenham, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Demand is above capacity (1.1×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

The Cotswold Academy is an academy converter in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE COTSWOLD SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,500 pupils on roll, of whom 16% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 53, placing the school #10 in Gloucestershire and #620 of 3,216 nationally. 54.90% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 30.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 24 A-level subjects. 75.3% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 42.7% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.17 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2025. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Outstanding, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.1× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.7:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 3.3 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

Grade 5+ E&M

54.90%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)30.5%

Entering EBacc46.60%

EBacc APS4.78

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.49

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

55.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc53.90%

EBacc APS5.09

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.67

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc34%

EBacc APS5.03

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.49

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

59.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41%

EBacc APS5.24

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc59%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.35

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc48%

EBacc APS5.16

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.41

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc59%

EBacc APS5.25

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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

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

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

Apprenticeships2%

EmploymentSP%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

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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

+0.17

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

107

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*12.9%

Achieving A*–A42.7%

Achieving A*–B75.3%

VA Banding Above average

Retention rate97.2%

A-level subjects offered24

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.19

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

105

Retention rate99.00%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

116

Retention rate100.00%

2022

Avg Grade

B+

Students

114

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

11 March 2025

Inspection Report

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05 November 2020

Inspection Report

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18 March 2015

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2025-03-11

S5 Inspection EIF

Not Judged

info

Why no overall grade?

From autumn 2024, Ofsted stopped issuing a single headline grade (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate). Instead, each inspection area is graded individually. This follows a major review after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023. The overall effectiveness field is left as "Not judged" in the published data.

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2015-03-18

Exempt School Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2009-05-06

None EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

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

3.7%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.3%(34 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,500 pupils. During this period, there were 56 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.7%, 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	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,500	56	3.7%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,506	43	2.9%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,469	18	1.2%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,472	18	1.2%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,474	34	2.3%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,424	21	1.5%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,414	28	2.0%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,420	24	1.7%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,388	13	0.9%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,400	15	1.1%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,406	35	2.5%	4.4%	3
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,390	25	1.8%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,398	10	0.7%	1.0%	2
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,398	57	4.1%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,408	1	0.1%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,408	25	1.8%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,410	26	1.8%	4.2%	3
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,372	30	2.2%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,376	14	1.0%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,379	11	0.8%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,315	18	1.4%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,323	21	1.6%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,328	25	1.9%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,337	43	3.2%	3.0%	2
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,341	30	2.2%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,345	31	2.3%	3.1%	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.

Specific Learning Difficulty 103 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 84 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 35 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 16 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 12 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 pupils

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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.

100.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

100.0%Positive

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

28.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree72%

agree28%

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

strongly agree94%

agree6%

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

strongly agree44%

agree6%

disagree6%

not applicable44%

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.

strongly agree94%

agree6%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree89%

agree6%

disagree6%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree83%

agree17%

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

strongly agree89%

agree11%

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

strongly agree94%

disagree6%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree89%

agree6%

disagree6%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes94%

no6%

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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

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 Gloucestershire

Pate's Grammar School

Sir Thomas Rich's School

Stroud High School

Marling School

The Crypt School

Denmark Road High School