Ralph Allen School

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

Part of PALLADIAN ACADEMY TRUST

Claverton Down Road, Combe Down, Bath, BA2 7AD

01225 832936 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 26 February 2014; confirmed 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths63%England 45% · 2024/25
2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Higher than 86% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,398Room for 1,300 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,241 in 2019, 1,351 in 2021, 1,389 in 2022, 1,371 in 2023, 1,380 in 2024, 1,382 in 2025, 1,398 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.1202 for 191 places, September 2026
4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Higher than 69% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 26 February 2014.

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
Outcomes for pupilsGood
Leadership and managementGood

Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 6 March 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

298 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.

Bath comparisons use the 3 of its 6 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 3 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 schoolBathEngland
My child is happy at this school
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bath.
Higher than 63% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
87% 91% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bath.
Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
91% 93% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bath.
Higher than 63% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
84% 86% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 101 parents whose child had been bullied
Joint 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bath.
Higher than 77% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
59% 60% 50%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 227 parents who had raised a concern
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bath.
Higher than 79% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
81% 81% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bath.
Higher than 82% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
91%said yes 91% 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. Bath figures pool parents at the Bath 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

211 pupils in this year group.

63% — 14 points above the Bath and North East Somerset average, and 18 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBath and North East SomersetEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 63% 49% 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 47.9 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.9 4.3 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 59%This school 2023/24: 61%This school 2024/25: 63% This school England 45% 2022/23 59% 2023/24 61% 2024/25 63%

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.

211 pupils in this year group.

95% — about the same as the Bath and North East Somerset average, and 3 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 48%12%28%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolBath and North East SomersetEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 95% 95% 92%
School sixth form 48% 48% 34%
Sixth form college 12% 9% 13%
Further education college 28% 27% 37%
Apprenticeship 3% 5% 3%
Work 2% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%95%

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

113 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolBath and North East SomersetEngland
Average A level grade B B- B-
A level exams graded A* or A 34% 25% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 66% 53% 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. 40.0 35.3 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 38.5This school 2023/24: 40.3This school 2024/25: 40.0 This school England 35 2022/23 38.5 2023/24 40.3 2024/25 40.0

A level subjects, 2024/25

23 subjects, 342 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 51 14% 51% 40%
Psychology 34 21% 50% 19%
Biology 33 12% 27% 27%
Chemistry 28 11% 29% 30%
Geography 27 15% 30% 23%
Physics 27 19% 52% 31%
English Language 16 6% 13% 13%
English Literature 14 7% 21% 23%
Religious Studies 13 0% 8% 22%
Business Studies:Single 12 17% 33% 16%
Sociology 10 30% 30% 20%
French 9 11% 33% 38%
Mathematics (Further) 9 44% 56% 59%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 8 0% 0% 38%
Computer Studies / Computing 8 0% 25% 24%
History 8 13% 50% 23%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 8 13% 13% 17%
Spanish 8 0% 0% 34%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Design and Technology (Product Design), Drama and Theatre Studies, Music, Art and Design (Photography), Music Technology.

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.

130 students in this year group.

84% — about the same as the Bath and North East Somerset average, and 5 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBath and North East SomersetEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 84% 83% 79%
Apprenticeship 2% 9% 7%
Work 35% 38% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
77%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.

142 students in this year group.

77% — 17 points above the Bath and North East Somerset average, and 17 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBath and North East SomersetEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 77% 60% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 43% 22% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
84%77%

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 Bath and North East 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 offered191
Families who put it first202
Of those, offered a place169 (84%)
Families who listed it at all628

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.1

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 Bath and North East Somerset

Pupils, staff and SEND

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

PupilsThis schoolBath and North East SomersetEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
18.2% 19.0%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Higher than 81% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.6% 4.2%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
11.4% 14.7%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
8.0% 7.2%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
5th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Lower than 21% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
10.2% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Lower than 35% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
26.4% 22.5%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Lower than 57% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.2 20.8 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Lower than 68% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
4.7% 7.0% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils 0.22% 0.20% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Higher than 73% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.9 17.5 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Higher than 76% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
13.0 12.5 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bath.
Higher than 6% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
5.4% 12.0%* 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.

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 Ralph Allen School's Ofsted rating?

Ralph Allen School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 February 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 6 March 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.

How did Ralph Allen School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 63% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 18 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Ralph Allen School?

91% of the 298 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Ralph Allen School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Ralph Allen School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 202 families put Ralph Allen School as their first choice for 191 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 169 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.