The City Academy Bristol
Bristol, BS5 9JH · Bristol, City of · secondary school
Check the area around this school
15th 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 — 5.7/10 against 388 of them, against 3.3/10 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 | 33.3 · 21 | 30% | 0.63 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.07 · 55 | 25% | 1.38 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 38.5 · 14 | 10% | 0.14 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The City Academy Bristol overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in January 2025. In 2024/25, 29.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.07 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 (5.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 977 pupils against a stated capacity of 975. 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 support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores? How does the school track progress for students with similar backgrounds to the national average?
What Ofsted said about The City Academy Bristol
Overview
The City Academy Bristol has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils enjoy attending this "vibrant and inclusive school" where they learn in a "safe and tolerant environment" and are proud of their diverse community. The school maintains high expectations, with pupils typically working hard and behaving well within a calm and orderly setting.
Strengths
- Pupils learn a "broad and ambitious curriculum" and make "good progress in their learning," with specific support effectively helping those with lower reading ages.
- Systems for identifying and supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "clear and work effectively," ensuring their needs are met well.
- There are "warm, mutually respectful relationships between staff and pupils," and staff appreciate training opportunities that help reduce workload.
- The personal development offer is strong, including a "well-considered careers programme" and education on relationships and health.
Areas to improve
- Teachers’ use of assessment does not always check pupils’ understanding carefully enough, leading to misconceptions that hinder knowledge building over time.
- Some pupils do not participate in planned work experience or regularly engage in extra-curricular activities, limiting their breadth of experience beyond the academic curriculum.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 37.5 |
| 2024/25 | 38.5 |
| 2025/26 | 38.5 |
| 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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