Chipping Sodbury School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of THE ATHELSTAN TRUST

Bowling Road, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol, BS37 6EW

01454 862900 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 8 November 2022
Grade 5 or above in English and maths37%England 45% · 2024/25
35th highest of 44 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Higher than 32% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils775Room for 1,120 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 772 in 2019, 721 in 2021, 739 in 2022, 736 in 2023, 720 in 2024, 769 in 2025, 775 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0148 for 144 places, September 2026
17th highest of 44 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Higher than 66% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 8 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.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

11 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.

StatementThis schoolBristolEngland
My child is happy at this school
26th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol.
Higher than 0% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
0% 79% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
26th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol.
Higher than 0% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
0% 81% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
26th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol.
Higher than 0% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
0% 71% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 11 parents whose child had been bullied
25th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol.
Higher than 0% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
0% 50% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 11 parents who had raised a concern
26th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol.
Higher than 0% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
0% 66% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
26th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol.
Higher than 0% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
0%said yes 75% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 1%). 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

113 pupils in this year group.

37% — 6 points below the South Gloucestershire average, and 8 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSouth GloucestershireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 37% 43% 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. 43.7 42.9 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.9 3.7 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 23%This school 2023/24: 32%This school 2024/25: 37% This school England 45% 2022/23 23% 2023/24 32% 2024/25 37%

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.

141 pupils in this year group.

93% — about the same as the South Gloucestershire average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 26%11%42%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolSouth GloucestershireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 93% 93% 92%
School sixth form 26% 36% 34%
Sixth form college 11% 11% 13%
Further education college 42% 34% 37%
Apprenticeship 7% 7% 3%
Work 6% 4% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
94%93%

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

29 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolSouth GloucestershireEngland
Average A level grade D+ C B-
A level exams graded A* or A 10% 19% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 25% 43% 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. 23.4 30.7 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
20 25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 33.1This school 2023/24: 27.5This school 2024/25: 23.4 This school England 35 2022/23 33.1 2023/24 27.5 2024/25 23.4

A level subjects, 2024/25

18 subjects, 69 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Religious Studies 11 0% 9% 22%
History 8 0% 25% 23%
Art and Design (Photography) 7 0% 0% 26%
Film Studies 6 0% 0% 17%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Design and Technology (Product Design), English Language, Mathematics, Sociology, Geography, Psychology, Art and Design, Art and Design (Fine Art), Biology, Design and Technology (Textiles Technology), Physics, Chemistry, English Literature, Mathematics (Further).

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.

43 students in this year group.

98% — 19 points above the South Gloucestershire average, and 19 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSouth GloucestershireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 98% 79% 79%
Apprenticeship 9% 10% 7%
Work 28% 36% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
93%98%

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.

28 students in this year group.

50% — 5 points above the South Gloucestershire average, and 10 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSouth GloucestershireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 50% 45% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 14% 9% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
72%50%

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 South Gloucestershire. 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 offered144
Families who put it first148
Of those, offered a place141 (95%)
Families who listed it at all335

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 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.

Admissions dates and schools in South Gloucestershire

Pupils, staff and SEND

Specialist SEND provision: this school has a SEN unit with 10 places for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.

PupilsThis schoolSouth GloucestershireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
33rd highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Higher than 22% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
17.3% 19.6%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
24th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.5% 4.0%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
19th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
17.2% 14.3%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
Joint 40th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
5.6% 13.1%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
20th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Lower than 34% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
9.3% 9.2%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
18th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Lower than 46% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
24.1% 24.2%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
20th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Lower than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
20.7 25.0 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
21st lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Lower than 36% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
8.6% 7.8% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils 0.26% 0.13% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
18th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Higher than 67% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.6 18.4 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 17th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Higher than 66% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.5 12.7 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
43rd highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol.
Higher than 10% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
6.6% 10.9%* 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.

SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Chipping Sodbury School's Ofsted rating?

Chipping Sodbury School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 November 2022.

How did Chipping Sodbury School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 37% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 8 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Chipping Sodbury School?

0% of the 11 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Chipping Sodbury School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Chipping Sodbury School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 148 families put Chipping Sodbury School as their first choice for 144 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 141 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.