SchoolScoresParkside School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of WELLSPRING ACADEMY TRUST
Parkside Terrace, Cullingworth, Bradford, BD13 5AD
01535 272752 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Inadequate at the inspection that started on 20 June 2023. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
Category of concern: Serious weaknesses.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Inadequate |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Inadequate |
| Sixth form | Good |
| 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
202 pupils in this year group.
23% — 15 points below the Bradford average, and 23 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bradford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 23% | 38% | 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. | 36.7 | 40.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.2 | 3.6 | 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.
207 pupils in this year group.
93% — 5 points above the Bradford average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bradford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 24% | 33% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 2% | 11% | 13% |
| Further education college | 60% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 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
37 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Bradford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 5% | 21% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 17% | 49% | 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. | 23.1 | 33.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
12 subjects, 88 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 12 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Psychology | 11 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Chemistry | 10 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| English Language and Literature | 10 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| History | 10 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Biology | 9 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Law | 7 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Mathematics | 7 | 0% | 29% | 40% |
| Physics | 6 | 0% | 17% | 31% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Film Studies, Art and Design, Design and Technology (Product Design).
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.
65 students in this year group.
86% — 14 points above the Bradford average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bradford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 86% | 72% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 14% | 5% | 7% |
| Work | 12% | 16% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 86% |
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.
55 students in this year group.
60% — 4 points below the Bradford average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bradford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 60% | 64% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 18% | 13% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 69% | 60% |
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 Bradford. 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 199 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 132 |
| Of those, offered a place | 132 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 406 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.7
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 24 places for speech, language and communication needs; Autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Bradford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 28th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 44% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 24.6% | 35.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 7th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 18th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 58% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.8% | 15.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 29th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.2% | 28.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 19th lowest of 28 state secondary schools in Bradford. Lower than 8% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.3% | 10.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 18th lowest of 28 state secondary schools in Bradford. Lower than 14% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 32.4% | 30.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 23rd lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Lower than 5% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 75.1 | 48.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 21st lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Lower than 6% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 17.9% | 12.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.28% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 13th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 54% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0 | 16.8 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 21st highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 17% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.2 | 11.1 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 14th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Bradford. Higher than 75% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 18.4% | 16.7%* | 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
- Beckfoot Oakbank 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 26% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bingley Grammar School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Beckfoot School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Parkside School's Ofsted rating?
Parkside School was rated Inadequate by Ofsted at its inspection in 20 June 2023.
How did Parkside School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 23% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 23 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Parkside School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 132 families put Parkside School as their first choice for 199 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 132 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 150001.
- 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.