SchoolScoresMarlwood School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of PATHWAY TRUST
Vattingstone Lane, Alveston, Bristol, BS35 3LA
01454 862525 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 7 November 2023.
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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
180 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
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 18th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 35% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 78% | 79% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 18th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 81% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 17th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 24% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64% | 71% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 75 parents whose child had been bullied 19th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 31% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 43% | 50% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 146 parents who had raised a concern 20th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 24% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58% | 66% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 17th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 30% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70%said yes | 75% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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
109 pupils in this year group.
39% — 3 points below the South Gloucestershire average, and 6 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | South Gloucestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 39% | 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. | 43.2 | 42.9 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.0 | 3.7 | 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.
78 pupils in this year group.
92% — about the same as the South Gloucestershire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | South Gloucestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 18% | 36% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 11% | 13% |
| Further education college | 63% | 34% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 7% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 92% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 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 offered | 80 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 77 |
| Of those, offered a place | 77 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 177 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 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 | South Gloucestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 32nd highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.0% | 19.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 21st highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.9% | 4.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 28th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 60% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.2% | 14.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 31st highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 39% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8% | 13.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 34th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 13% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 35th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 11% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 33.3% | 24.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 36th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 9% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 59.2 | 25.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 35th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 14% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.6% | 7.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.71% | 0.13% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 27th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 52% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.9 | 18.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 34th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 33% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1 | 12.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 23rd highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 44% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2% | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- Tockington Manor School 1.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Castle School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Marlwood School's Ofsted rating?
Marlwood School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 7 November 2023.
How did Marlwood School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 39% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 6 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Marlwood School?
70% of the 180 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Marlwood School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Marlwood School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 77 families put Marlwood School as their first choice for 80 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 77 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 141341.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.