Beechen Cliff School
Bath, BA2 4RE · Bath and North East Somerset · secondary school
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2nd of 14 secondary schools in Bath and North East Somerset we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 546 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.9/10 among them, against 8.7/10 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 | 69.9 · 90 | 30% | 2.71 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.45 · 82 | 25% | 2.04 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 56.4 · 88 | 10% | 0.88 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Beechen Cliff School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 64.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 55.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.45 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.3 out of 10 among them, against 8.5 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Beekeeping, Combined Cadet Force, e-team, Student Leadership, and Volunteering clubs. Sports include Rugby, Football, Tennis, Cricket, and Kayaking. Arts and music provision covers Theatre and Drama and Music Concerts. Trips have included Hinkley Point, Big Pit, Lulworth Cove, and destinations in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and a European Art Trip.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,232 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,055. 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
What support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress
What Ofsted said about Beechen Cliff School
Overview
Beechen Cliff School is a boys’ secondary school with a mixed sixth form, judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. The report highlights a respectful ethos where pupils behave well and feel supported, particularly regarding mental health and personal development. While the curriculum is ambitious and effective for most, there are specific challenges in supporting pupils with additional needs.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from an “ambitious and demanding curriculum,” particularly in modern foreign languages and mathematics, leading to strong university progression.
- A culture of respect is central, with pupils encouraged to develop “emotional literacy” and feel confident discussing their worries.
- Assessment is used precisely to identify and rectify knowledge gaps, helping pupils “embed knowledge” and explain complex ideas confidently.
- The school offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including clubs, volunteering, and residential experiences that help pupils “expand their horizons.”
- Sixth-form students, including girls, appreciate the “courteous and respectful culture” and start Year 12 with secure foundational knowledge.
Areas to improve
- Teaching must better consider different starting points for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or significant gaps in prior knowledge, ensuring they can access the core curriculum.
- The school continues to work with specific groups of pupils to reduce absence, although it already understands the reasons for missing school well.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 57.1 |
| 2024/25 | 55.0 |
| 2025/26 | 56.4 |
| 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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