The Cotswold Academy
Cheltenham, GL54 2BD · Gloucestershire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
9th of 41 secondary schools in Gloucestershire we can score. 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 8.1/10 among them, against 8.6/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 66.3 · 88 | 46% | 4.05 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.49 · 83 | 38% | 3.20 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 58.7 · 91 | 15% | 1.39 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Cotswold Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.9% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 53.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.49 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better 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 6.3 out of 10 among them, against 7.9 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Student Leadership, and The Aspire Programme. Sports include rugby, hockey, football, and netball, while arts and music cover drama productions and dance.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,564 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,530. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the named clubs and sports scheduled alongside core lessons?
What Ofsted said about The Cotswold Academy
Overview
The Cotswold Academy is described as a school where the vision to ‘create brilliant futures’ drives all aspects of life, resulting in pupils leaving with excellent qualifications and developed characters. The report highlights a community where pupils are ‘well prepared for adult life’ and demonstrate high standards of behaviour and respect. Leaders maintain a ‘relentless focus on providing the highest quality of education possible’, ensuring pupil interests remain central to decision-making.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘highly ambitious’, with teachers possessing ‘excellent subject knowledge’ who effectively model concepts and address misconceptions.
- Pupils show ‘highly positive attitudes towards their studies’, producing ‘exceptionally high-quality work’ and engaging in sophisticated discussions.
- Reading is highly valued, with ‘bespoke and highly effective support’ helping pupils with additional needs to catch up swiftly.
- The careers programme is ‘exceptional’, offering multiple opportunities for work experience and employer engagement.
- Extra-curricular opportunities are ‘impressive’, including drama, music, sports, and clubs that bring the curriculum to life.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 55.2 |
| 2024/25 | 53.0 |
| 2025/26 | 58.7 |
| 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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