Air Balloon Hill Primary School
Bristol, BS5 7PB · Bristol, City of · primary school
Check the area around this school
35th of 90 primary schools in Bristol, City of we can score, 102 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 5.0/10 against 2,630 of them, against 4.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 60.0 · 39 | 40% | 1.56 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Air Balloon Hill Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 60.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0% of pupils, matching the national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Rocksteady Music club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 788 pupils against a stated capacity of 840. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who fall below the national median in core subjects? What specific activities are included in the after-school provision? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing the gap in expected standards?
What Ofsted said about Air Balloon Hill Primary School
Overview
Air Balloon Hill Primary School continues to be a good school, described as “friendly, nurturing and welcoming.” The inspection confirms that the school maintains high aspirations for all pupils, fostering an inclusive atmosphere where “everyone can achieve, everyone can learn and everyone belongs.”
Strengths
- The curriculum is “relevant and ambitious,” designed to develop pupils’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world through significant historical figures and concepts.
- An “effective reading programme” ensures pupils become fluent readers, with staff well trained in phonics and a reading list developed to widen cultural understanding.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “accurately identified and supported,” allowing them to progress through the curriculum alongside their peers.
- Behaviour is excellent, with a “calm and purposeful” atmosphere where pupils respect differences and demonstrate values such as resilience and empathy.
- Governors provide “appropriate support and challenge,” while staff feel well supported in managing workload and wellbeing.
Areas to improve
- Learning is not always adapted quickly enough for some pupils, preventing them from building on their knowledge as well as they could; the school must ensure timely adaptations to support progress.
- Pupils expressed a desire for more choice in extra-curricular opportunities and more say in how the school could improve.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 60% |
| 2023/24 | 47% |
| 2024/25 | 60% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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