Cotham School
Bristol, BS6 6DT · Bristol, City of · secondary school
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8th 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 — 7.9/10 against 534 of them, against 5.9/10 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 | 48.0 · 58 | 30% | 1.74 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.1 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.1 · 66 | 10% | 0.66 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Cotham School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 51.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.1 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 (8.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, attend sports fixtures and professional matches, and engage in art exhibitions, music events, school productions, and performing arts. They also take geography field trips and ski trips.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,654 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,642. 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 specific support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the ski trips and professional sports matches funded or organised for all students?
What Ofsted said about Cotham School
Overview
Cotham School continues to be a good school, offering a diverse and inclusive environment where pupils feel safe and valued. The curriculum is described as “aspirational” and linked to potential careers, helping pupils see the relevance of their learning. Leaders actively engage with the community and work tirelessly to prevent pupils from being at risk of harm.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, are “polite and friendly,” and bullying is rare and stopped quickly.
- Teachers have “strong subject knowledge” and effectively support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
- The school provides precise reading support, ensuring pupils can access the curriculum and develop vocabulary.
- Extra-curricular clubs and leadership opportunities allow pupils to develop talents and contribute to school life.
- Leaders check the impact of actions promptly and consider the views of pupils, parents, and staff in decision-making.
Areas to improve
- The school needs to ensure that the way the curriculum is taught enables pupils to build on their knowledge at the right time, as work is not always demanding enough.
- Occasionally, teaching does not enable pupils to learn new knowledge at the right time, limiting the depth of their learning.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with an open and positive culture that puts pupils’ interests first.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.2 |
| 2024/25 | 51.8 |
| 2025/26 | 49.1 |
| 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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