Cheltenham Bournside School and Sixth Form Centre
Cheltenham, GL51 3EF · Gloucestershire · secondary school
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19th of 41 secondary schools in Gloucestershire 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 — 7.5/10 against 906 of them, against 6.7/10 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 | 46.9 · 55 | 30% | 1.66 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.44 · 81 | 25% | 2.03 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.6 · 68 | 10% | 0.68 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Cheltenham Bournside School and Sixth Form Centre overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. In 2024/25, 47.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 48.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.44 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 (7.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join clubs including Boxercise, Robotics, Debate, and Chess. Sports options cover Football, Hockey, Rugby, and Netball. Arts activities include the Bournside Theatre Ensemble, Shakespeare Schools Festival, and a School Musical Production.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,846 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,958. 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 the progress seen in the 2023/24 data? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about Cheltenham Bournside School and Sixth Form Centre
Overview
Leaders prioritise pupil welfare and academic achievement, fostering a community where pupils feel safe and respected. The school is described as harmonious, with staff supporting high expectations and pupils engaging well with learning. Most subjects offer a well-designed curriculum, though some areas require refinement to ensure consistent knowledge retention.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy school, feel safe, and know staff take their concerns seriously, with bullying being rare.
- The curriculum is ambitious, providing a broad educational platform and preparing pupils for the next stage of education.
- Staff provide numerous popular extra-curricular activities, with leaders tracking uptake to support disadvantaged pupils.
- Personal development is promoted successfully through an inclusive environment and comprehensive relationship and sex education.
- Trustees provide appropriate challenge and support, while the headteacher effectively manages changes and staff well-being.
Areas to improve
- Some subject leaders need a clearer focus on key curriculum content to help pupils, especially disadvantaged ones, remember facts over time.
- Leaders must ensure a suitable phonics scheme is in place to support all pupils in reading accurately and confidently.
- Teachers in some subjects need to adapt the curriculum better for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with vigilant leadership, thorough recruitment checks, and staff receiving regular training to identify and report concerns.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 49.2 |
| 2024/25 | 48.1 |
| 2025/26 | 49.6 |
| 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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