The Castle School
Bristol, BS35 1HT · South Gloucestershire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
7th of 16 secondary schools in South Gloucestershire we can score, 17 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 the 712 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.8/10 among them, against 7.0/10 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 | 16 | 35% | 0.55 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 50.8 · 64 | 30% | 1.93 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.33 · 74 | 25% | 1.86 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 52.0 · 78 | 10% | 0.78 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Castle School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 58.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 stood at +0.33 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.2 out of 10 among them, against 7.8 out of 10 nationally. The March 2026 inspection used the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in Coding Clubs, DofE, Drama Productions, and Music Ensembles.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,416 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,733. 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 scores relative to similar-intake peers? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8? How are the coding and drama clubs integrated into the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about The Castle School
Overview
The Castle School is described as an inclusive and caring community where pupils feel safe and are proud of their achievements. Leaders have established a clear vision, resulting in a calm, orderly environment with high expectations for behaviour and attendance. The report notes that pupils are well prepared for their next steps into education, employment, and training.
Strengths
- Pupils achieve well in national examinations, with Key Stage 4 outcomes rising over time and often exceeding the national average.
- Behaviour is excellent; the school is "calm and orderly," bullying is rare, and pupils appreciate the clarity of the behaviour policy.
- Attendance is improving due to targeted support, including a bespoke "bungalow" facility helping pupils re-engage with education.
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with teachers possessing strong subject knowledge and checking understanding effectively.
- Personal development is robust, with pupils learning about safety, citizenship, and diverse cultures, supported by a wide range of clubs and leadership opportunities.
Areas to improve
- Some pupils do not improve their basic writing skills, such as handwriting and punctuation, to the same extent as other areas of learning.
- Adaptations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are not consistently provided, hindering their ability to learn as well as they should.
- Leaders should ensure the curriculum is consistently taught in a highly effective way so that all pupils, regardless of barriers, achieve as well as possible.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified, acted upon, and managed, ensuring pupils feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 50.6 |
| 2024/25 | 52.4 |
| 2025/26 | 52.0 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of BS35 1HT, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT