Backwell School
Bristol, BS48 3BX · North Somerset · secondary school
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1st of 11 secondary schools in North Somerset we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 370 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.9/10 among them, against 7.4/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 59.5 · 80 | 30% | 2.41 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.21 · 65 | 25% | 1.63 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 52.6 · 79 | 10% | 0.79 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Backwell School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 56.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.21 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2025. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.7 out of 10 among them, against 7.3 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join the Fishing Club and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. Sports include Redpoint Climbing and Beach Activities. Arts opportunities feature the Choir, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and the North Somerset Dance Festival. Trips range from Bath Fashion Museum and Cadbury World to a Folgarida ski trip and a French Exchange to Dinan.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,595 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,728. 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 to maintain progress in English and maths? What specific support is available for students aiming for Duke of Edinburgh Gold?
What Ofsted said about Backwell School
Overview
Backwell School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils enjoy attending the school, feeling safe and supported by trusted adults, while meeting high expectations for behaviour and achievement. The school continues to provide a broad curriculum and strong opportunities for personal development.
Strengths
- Pupils are "calm and sensible" and "keen to do well," with poor behaviour rarely disrupting learning.
- The curriculum is "ambitious" and "sequenced logically," allowing pupils to build knowledge over time and achieve strong academic outcomes.
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge" and explain new learning clearly, aligning lessons with the curriculum’s ambition.
- The school fosters active citizenship, with pupil views being "sought and acted upon" through student and house councils.
- Staff well-being is prioritised, with leaders having "reduced staff’s workload" and providing necessary training and support.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must improve checks on pupil understanding to prevent "misconceptions [from] persisting," particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Staff need to better adapt the curriculum to remove barriers to learning, ensuring pupils with SEND or other needs can "fully access the curriculum" and learn as much as they could.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 53.4 |
| 2024/25 | 52.7 |
| 2025/26 | 52.6 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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