Bradford Forster Academy
Bradford, BD4 8RG · Bradford · secondary school
Check the area around this school
27th of 35 secondary schools in Bradford we can score. 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 — 3.2/10 against 397 of them, against 1.7/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 33.2 · 21 | 46% | 0.96 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.54 · 14 | 38% | 0.54 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.7 · 11 | 15% | 0.17 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bradford Forster Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 23.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 32.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.54 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 892 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 close the gap between their current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific interventions are in place to improve Progress 8 scores for students with similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Bradford Forster Academy
Overview
The inspection found that the school “no longer requires special measures” following a previous inadequate rating. While leaders have raised standards and attendance has improved considerably, the report states that expectations for pupil achievement remain “not high enough,” with results “considerably below the national average.” The school is described as a place where pupils form positive relationships with staff and feel safe, though inconsistencies in curriculum delivery and behaviour management persist.
Strengths
- Pupils form “positive relationships with staff” and have “trusted members of staff to speak to if they have any concerns.”
- Attendance rates have “improved considerably” due to a “robust system” developed by the school.
- The school identifies special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) effectively, providing “high quality” support for a small number of pupils on a bespoke curriculum.
- Careers provision is “well considered,” offering pupils “repeated opportunities to engage in a broad range of careers encounters.”
- Staff “enjoy working at the school” and are “proud to serve the pupils and the community.”
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure important knowledge is “identified and sequenced coherently” in all subjects, as it is currently unclear in some areas.
- Teachers should provide tasks that help pupils “build their knowledge securely,” as they do not consistently ensure pupils can recall prior learning.
- All staff must “consistently apply the behaviour policy,” particularly regarding poor language and disruption, to ensure pupils feel comfortable and can learn.
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 | 37.0 |
| 2024/25 | 32.7 |
| 2025/26 | 37.7 |
| 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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