St Bartholomew's School

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

Part of ST BARTHOLOMEW'S SCHOOL

Andover Road, Newbury, RG14 6JP

01635 521255 · School website · Map and directions

Ofsted report card3 strong, 4 expectedSafeguarding met · 20 January 2026
Grade 5 or above in English and maths58%England 45% · 2024/25
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Higher than 79% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,905Room for 1,922 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,811 in 2019, 1,911 in 2021, 1,901 in 2022, 1,951 in 2023, 1,988 in 2024, 1,930 in 2025, 1,905 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0275 for 265 places, September 2026
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Higher than 67% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 20 January 2026 , published 26 April 2026.

In short: 3 strong, 4 expected, and safeguarding met.

Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.

AreaGrade
SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. Met
InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects.
Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.
AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.
Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.
Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects.
Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.
Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

342 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.

StatementThis schoolEngland
My child is happy at this school
Higher than 77% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
89% 83%
My child feels safe at this school
Higher than 78% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
92% 85%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Higher than 67% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
83% 78%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 56 parents whose child had been bullied
Higher than 60% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
50% 43%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 274 parents who had raised a concern
Higher than 75% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
80% 74%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 84 parents of children with SEND
Higher than 51% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
60% 63%
I would recommend this school to another parent
Higher than 76% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
92%said yes 83%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 18%). 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. 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

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

270 pupils in this year group.

58% — 10 points above the West Berkshire average, and 13 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWest BerkshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 58% 48% 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. 56.2 48 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 5.1 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: 62%This school 2024/25: 58% This school England 45% 2022/23 59% 2023/24 62% 2024/25 58%

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.

267 pupils in this year group.

99% — 4 points above the West Berkshire average, and 7 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 68%22%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolWest BerkshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 99% 95% 92%
School sixth form 68% 54% 34%
Sixth form college 4% 6% 13%
Further education college 22% 25% 37%
Apprenticeship 3% 4% 3%
Work 1% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
97%99%

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

289 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolWest BerkshireEngland
Average A level grade B- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 27% 27% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 55% 52% 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. 35.4 35.0 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 34.5This school 2023/24: 36.8This school 2024/25: 35.4 This school England 35 2022/23 34.5 2023/24 36.8 2024/25 35.4

A level subjects, 2024/25

30 subjects, 808 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 100 14% 43% 40%
Psychology 66 11% 23% 19%
Law 47 2% 23% 17%
Physics 47 11% 26% 31%
Sociology 45 13% 27% 20%
Biology 43 14% 28% 27%
English Literature 39 15% 33% 23%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 37 0% 14% 14%
Business Studies:Single 35 3% 17% 16%
Geography 34 0% 21% 23%
History 33 15% 39% 23%
Chemistry 32 16% 44% 30%
Economics 30 3% 30% 26%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 23 4% 22% 17%
Film Studies 21 10% 14% 17%
Government and Politics 21 0% 24% 26%
Mathematics (Further) 20 5% 20% 59%
Computer Studies / Computing 19 5% 26% 24%
English Language 17 6% 12% 13%
Art and Design (Graphics) 15 20% 20% 32%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 13 15% 23% 38%
Classical Civilisation 13 0% 23% 23%
Music Technology 10 0% 0% 15%
Music 9 11% 22% 29%
Art and Design (Photography) 8 0% 0% 26%
Drama and Theatre Studies 8 0% 0% 19%
German 8 0% 50% 42%
Spanish 7 14% 71% 34%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Religious Studies, French.

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.

268 students in this year group.

92% — 5 points above the West Berkshire average, and 13 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWest BerkshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 92% 87% 79%
Apprenticeship 6% 7% 7%
Work 27% 34% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
89%92%

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.

263 students in this year group.

71% — 11 points above the West Berkshire average, and 11 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWest BerkshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 71% 60% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 29% 21% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
70%71%

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 West Berkshire. 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 offered265
Families who put it first275
Of those, offered a place260 (95%)
Families who listed it at all497

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.4 · 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 West Berkshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolWest BerkshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Higher than 11% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
12.3% 18.1%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.4% 3.5%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Higher than 91% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
21.5% 16.4%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
13.4% 10.1%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Lower than 63% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
7.6% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Lower than 75% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
18.1% 21.9%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Lower than 72% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
7.8 21.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Lower than 80% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
3.4% 6.6% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils 0.26% 0.32% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Higher than 36% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.2 16.3 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Higher than 29% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.9 11.4 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Newbury.
Higher than 28% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
10.0% 10.6%* 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

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

Questions parents ask

What is St Bartholomew's School's Ofsted rating?

St Bartholomew's School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 20 January 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 3 strong, 4 expected, and safeguarding was met.

How did St Bartholomew's School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 58% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 13 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend St Bartholomew's School?

92% of the 342 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend St Bartholomew's School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is St Bartholomew's School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 275 families put St Bartholomew's School as their first choice for 265 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 260 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.