SchoolScoresSt Bernadette Catholic Secondary School
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Roman Catholic
Fossedale Avenue, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 9LS
0117 377 2050 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 November 2018.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 8 January 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
45 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.
| Statement | This school | Bristol | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 4th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 79% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 5th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 61% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 81% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 2nd highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 78% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 71% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 15 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 99% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 50% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 36 parents who had raised a concern Joint 3rd highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 84% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 66% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 5th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bristol. Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87%said yes | 75% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 6%). 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
146 pupils in this year group.
38% — 8 points below the Bristol, City of average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bristol, City of | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 38% | 46% | 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. | 44.5 | 46.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 4.1 | 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.
145 pupils in this year group.
92% — 2 points above the Bristol, City of average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bristol, City of | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 90% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 8% | 40% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 37% | 12% | 13% |
| Further education college | 35% | 30% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 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 Bristol, City of. 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 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 141 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 171 |
| Of those, offered a place | 132 (77%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 405 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.2
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.
This is a Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bristol, City of | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 21st highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 55% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 29.2% | 34.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 26th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.5% | 3.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 15th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 79% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.0% | 17.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 21st highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.4% | 20.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 25th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 28% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7% | 10.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 31st lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 22% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 29.3% | 28.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 27th lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 22% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 31.2 | 37.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 22nd lowest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Lower than 35% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6% | 10.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 35th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 36% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2 | 16.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 26th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 52% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.9 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 34th highest of 46 state secondary schools in Bristol. Higher than 25% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.5% | 13.0%* | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- Oasis Academy John Williams 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oasis Academy Daventry Road 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection
- Oasis Academy Brislington 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 1 needs attention · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bridge Learning Campus 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 needs attention · 23% grade 5+ English and maths
- Cleve House School 1.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- E-ACT Bristol Academy South 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2024, before conversion) · 18% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oasis Academy Temple Quarter 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 6 expected
- LPW Independent School 2.2 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2025)
- Lift Broadlands 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School's Ofsted rating?
St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 November 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 8 January 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 38% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 8 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School?
87% of the 45 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 171 families put St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School as their first choice for 141 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 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 109331.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- 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.