Chew Valley School
Bristol, BS40 8QB · Bath and North East Somerset · secondary school
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12th 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 814 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.8/10 among 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 | 17 | 35% | 0.59 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 46.6 · 55 | 30% | 1.64 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.1 · 42 | 25% | 1.06 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.1 · 61 | 10% | 0.61 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Chew Valley School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.1 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than peers nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.4 out of 10 among them, against 5.7 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in May 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join badminton and squash clubs, and an after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,180 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,253. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8? How does the new Ofsted framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Chew Valley School
Overview
Chew Valley School provides a high-quality education where pupils are happy, feel safe, and enjoy a strong sense of belonging. The report highlights exceptional personal development and a strong sixth form, though it notes that attendance rates are declining and some teaching practices require refinement to ensure all pupils secure foundational knowledge.
Strengths
- Personal development is central to the school experience, with pupils gaining a "detailed understanding of fundamental British values" and benefiting from the 'Chew Valley Guarantee' of tailored activities.
- The sixth form is "welcoming and inclusive," with students achieving very well, particularly in applied courses, and receiving effective pastoral support.
- Staff know pupils well, providing timely wellbeing support and fostering a community through a prominent house system and mixed-year tutor groups.
- Inclusion is effective, with precise identification of needs and high-quality support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Areas to improve
- Leaders must strengthen their analysis of attendance data to "accurately identify patterns" and take appropriate action to reduce persistent absence, particularly among disadvantaged pupils.
- Staff should adapt teaching more consistently and use formative assessment effectively to check when pupils are ready to move on, preventing gaps in knowledge.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed, ensuring pupils feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.8 |
| 2024/25 | 49.8 |
| 2025/26 | 48.1 |
| 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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