Bristol Brunel Academy
Bristol, BS15 1NU · Bristol, City of · secondary school
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10th of 22 secondary schools in Bristol, City of we can score, 24 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 — 6.9/10 against 629 of them, against 5.1/10 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 | 41.3 · 41 | 30% | 1.22 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.24 · 68 | 25% | 1.70 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.1 · 40 | 10% | 0.40 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bristol Brunel Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 40.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.24 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,267 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,160. 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 manage class sizes when operating 107 pupils over its designated capacity? What specific support structures are in place to help pupils bridge the gap between the current Attainment 8 score and the national median? How does the school utilise its Good Ofsted rating to drive further improvement in English and maths results?
What Ofsted said about Bristol Brunel Academy
Overview
Bristol Brunel Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils feel a strong sense of belonging and pride. The report highlights an ambitious curriculum that reflects the school’s diverse cohort, alongside a calm and purposeful atmosphere where behaviour is good. Leaders have successfully fostered a culture where diversity is celebrated and pupils have a voice in shaping school life.
Strengths
- Pupils follow an "ambitious curriculum" designed to reflect the school’s diverse cohort, helping them build on prior knowledge.
- Leaders have created a "strong reading culture," with pupils regularly selecting books that introduce diverse cultures and challenge stereotypes.
- "Provision for pupils’ wider development is strong," offering a rich array of clubs and inclusion groups that encourage engagement with "The Brunel Way."
- "Leadership, at all levels, is a strength of the school," with governors holding leaders to account and staff appreciating efforts to reduce workload.
- Relationships between staff and pupils are "mutually respectful," contributing to a positive environment where bullying is not tolerated.
Areas to improve
- Teaching is not consistently informed by checks on pupils’ understanding, leading to persistent gaps in knowledge for some pupils.
- Support for some pupils, including those with special educational needs, is not always adapted well enough to help them learn subject-specific knowledge.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture throughout the school where staff are well trained and pupils feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.1 |
| 2024/25 | 43.6 |
| 2025/26 | 44.1 |
| 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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