SchoolScoresBackwell School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
Station Road, Backwell, Bristol, BS48 3BX
01275 463371 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 28 January 2020.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 26 February 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
241 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Bristol comparisons use the 26 of its 47 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 21 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Bristol | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 7th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 79% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 4th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 81% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 12th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 47% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77% | 71% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 77 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 10th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 74% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58% | 50% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 169 parents who had raised a concern 8th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 67% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77% | 66% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 62 parents of children with SEND 7th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 47% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61% | 60% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 9th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 64% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85%said yes | 75% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 15%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Bristol figures pool parents at the Bristol schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
268 pupils in this year group.
56% — 11 points above the North Somerset average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 56% | 46% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 52.7 | 46.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
262 pupils in this year group.
97% — 4 points above the North Somerset average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 97% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 56% | 35% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 2% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 30% | 48% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 97% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
135 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | North Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 27% | 25% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 52% | 51% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 34.4 | 32.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
24 subjects, 379 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 47 | 19% | 45% | 40% |
| Biology | 38 | 3% | 18% | 27% |
| Psychology | 29 | 0% | 14% | 19% |
| Geography | 27 | 4% | 22% | 23% |
| Physics | 27 | 11% | 30% | 31% |
| English Literature | 24 | 8% | 29% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 22 | 0% | 14% | 30% |
| Economics | 22 | 18% | 27% | 26% |
| History | 19 | 5% | 16% | 23% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 15 | 7% | 47% | 24% |
| English Language | 15 | 0% | 20% | 13% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 13 | 8% | 15% | 17% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 11 | 0% | 18% | 15% |
| Sociology | 11 | 0% | 9% | 20% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 10 | 20% | 80% | 59% |
| Religious Studies | 10 | 0% | 30% | 22% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 7 | 14% | 29% | 26% |
| Art and Design (Textiles) | 7 | 29% | 29% | 36% |
| French | 7 | 29% | 57% | 38% |
| Art and Design | 6 | 0% | 17% | 34% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Drama and Theatre Studies, Music, Music Technology, Spanish.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
193 students in this year group.
84% — 8 points above the North Somerset average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 84% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 10% | 7% |
| Work | 42% | 35% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 85% | 84% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
184 students in this year group.
72% — 19 points above the North Somerset average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | North Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 72% | 53% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 30% | 15% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 72% | 72% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in North Somerset. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 263 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 276 |
| Of those, offered a place | 259 (94%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 467 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | North Somerset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 44th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 6% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.4% | 18.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 42nd highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.3% | 4.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 44th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.2% | 10.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 43rd highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 8.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 75% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 85% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1% | 24.6%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 73% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6 | 25.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 78% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.6% | 7.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.06% | 0.07% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 13th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 76% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.1 | 17.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 82% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.4 | 12.1 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 40th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 20% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6% | 16.2%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Nailsea School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Backwell School's Ofsted rating?
Backwell School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 28 January 2020. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 26 February 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Backwell School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 56% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Backwell School?
85% of the 241 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Backwell School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Backwell School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 276 families put Backwell School as their first choice for 263 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 259 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 136722.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.