The Community College, Bishop's Castle
Bishops Castle, SY9 5AY · Shropshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th of 20 secondary schools in Shropshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 610 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.6/10 among them, against 3.9/10 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 | 41.1 · 40 | 30% | 1.21 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.22 · 33 | 25% | 0.83 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.5 · 47 | 10% | 0.47 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Community College, Bishop's Castle overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in July 2023. In 2024/25, 35.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.22 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.2 out of 10 among them, against 3.2 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 507 pupils against a stated capacity of 604. 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 close the gap between their Progress 8 score and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve attainment in English and maths for the next cohort?
What Ofsted said about The Community College, Bishop's Castle
Overview
The Community College, Bishop’s Castle continues to be a good school, described as a "happy and caring school" that aims to be the "heart of its rural community." Pupils enjoy and achieve well, benefiting from high expectations, a broad curriculum, and strong relationships with staff who prioritise their well-being.
Strengths
- A "broad and well-organised curriculum" provides clear "learning journeys" and prepares pupils for academic success and life after school.
- Staff are "friendly, kind and approachable," fostering a strong team spirit where pupils feel safe and know whom to speak to if they have concerns.
- Teachers possess "good subject knowledge" and collaborate to ensure lessons are "rich in content" and "lively and interesting."
- There is an "imaginative programme of wider development," including artistic, sporting, and advocacy clubs, which builds a strong sense of self and community.
- Leaders take positive steps to manage staff workload, and governors discharge their responsibilities well.
Areas to improve
- Assessment strategies at key stage 3 are sometimes "too general or infrequent," meaning new learning is occasionally built on "shaky foundations."
- In a "very few instances," teachers lack the skill or confidence to manage low-level disruption, which can hinder learning.
- Leaders do not routinely check that "all pupils benefit equally" from extra-curricular and wider enrichment opportunities regardless of their background.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "strong culture and effective systems" that help identify, help, and protect any pupils at risk.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.1 |
| 2024/25 | 43.4 |
| 2025/26 | 45.5 |
| 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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