SchoolScoresBristol Cathedral Choir School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Church of England · Sixth form
Part of AMPLIFY EDUCATION
College Square, Bristol, BS1 5TS
0117 353 5000 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 29 November 2022.
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 | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
148 pupils in this year group.
60% — 14 points above the Bristol, City of average, and 15 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bristol, City of | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 60% | 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. | 54.6 | 46.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.0 | 4.1 | 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.
150 pupils in this year group.
94% — 4 points above the Bristol, City of average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bristol, City of | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 94% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 63% | 40% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 7% | 12% | 13% |
| Further education college | 21% | 30% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 100% | 94% |
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
192 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Bristol, City of | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 33% | 30% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 65% | 57% | 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. | 38.5 | 34.3 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
23 subjects, 582 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 78 | 9% | 23% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 74 | 7% | 46% | 40% |
| Psychology | 69 | 10% | 32% | 19% |
| Chemistry | 68 | 3% | 26% | 30% |
| Sociology | 39 | 5% | 23% | 20% |
| English Literature | 37 | 16% | 46% | 23% |
| Physics | 28 | 4% | 25% | 31% |
| History | 27 | 30% | 56% | 23% |
| Geography | 24 | 13% | 42% | 23% |
| Economics | 22 | 5% | 18% | 26% |
| Business Studies:Single | 20 | 10% | 15% | 16% |
| Government and Politics | 19 | 32% | 58% | 26% |
| English Language | 18 | 0% | 6% | 13% |
| Religious Studies | 13 | 8% | 31% | 22% |
| Music | 11 | 9% | 45% | 29% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 10 | 0% | 10% | 19% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 8 | 38% | 63% | 38% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 7 | 29% | 43% | 59% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: French, Physical Education / Sports Studies, Art and Design (Graphics), Chinese, Turkish.
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.
201 students in this year group.
83% — 6 points above the Bristol, City of average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bristol, City of | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 83% | 77% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 27% | 34% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 83% |
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.
215 students in this year group.
85% — 25 points above the Bristol, City of average, and 25 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bristol, City of | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 85% | 60% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 54% | 22% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 84% | 85% |
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 Bristol, City of. 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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 141 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 214 |
| Of those, offered a place | 120 (56%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 876 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 2.0 · 2025: 1.8 · 2026: 1.5
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.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bristol, City of | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 24th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.9% | 34.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 12th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 3.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 26th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.5% | 17.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 13th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 66% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.7% | 20.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 16th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 48% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 10.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 17th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 51% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.3% | 28.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 9th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 65% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.4 | 37.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 13th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 62% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.3% | 10.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 16th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 71% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.8 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 12th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.9 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 16th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 57% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 14.6% | 13.0%* | 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
- Queen Elizabeth's Hospital 0.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 55% A*/A at A level
- Bristol Grammar School 0.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 54% A*/A at A level
- St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- LPW Independent School 0.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2025)
- Oasis Academy Temple Quarter 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 6 expected
- Cotham School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- Clifton High School 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 32% A*/A at A level
- Clifton College 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 45% A*/A at A level
- E-ACT Montpelier High School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2022, before conversion) · 61% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ashton Park School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bristol Cathedral Choir School's Ofsted rating?
Bristol Cathedral Choir School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 29 November 2022.
How did Bristol Cathedral Choir School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 60% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 15 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Bristol Cathedral Choir School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 214 families put Bristol Cathedral Choir School as their first choice for 141 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 120 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 135575.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.