SchoolScoresThe Bulmershe School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of THE CORVUS LEARNING TRUST
Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, Reading, RG5 3EU
0118 935 3353 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 7 November 2017. 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.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| 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
238 pupils in this year group.
56% — 5 points below the Wokingham average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wokingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 56% | 61% | 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. | 50.7 | 53.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.5 | 4.8 | 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.
236 pupils in this year group.
93% — about the same as the Wokingham average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wokingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 50% | 47% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 5% | 14% | 13% |
| Further education college | 35% | 25% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 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
111 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Wokingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 30% | 32% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 57% | 60% | 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. | 37.2 | 37.5 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
25 subjects, 269 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 38 | 24% | 47% | 40% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 26 | 8% | 12% | 14% |
| Geography | 23 | 0% | 4% | 23% |
| History | 23 | 9% | 30% | 23% |
| Biology | 17 | 0% | 35% | 27% |
| English Literature | 16 | 0% | 25% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 14 | 14% | 36% | 30% |
| Psychology | 14 | 7% | 14% | 19% |
| Economics | 12 | 0% | 8% | 26% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 12 | 50% | 67% | 59% |
| Business Studies:Single | 11 | 9% | 18% | 16% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 11 | 9% | 27% | 24% |
| Physics | 11 | 36% | 64% | 31% |
| English Language and Literature | 8 | 13% | 25% | 16% |
| Art and Design | 6 | 0% | 0% | 34% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 6 | 17% | 33% | 19% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Photography), Physical Education / Sports Studies, Art and Design (3d Studies), Spanish, French, Italian, Modern Greek, Music, Russian.
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.
96 students in this year group.
88% — 2 points below the Wokingham average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wokingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 88% | 90% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 14% | 5% | 7% |
| Work | 20% | 22% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 83% | 88% |
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.
82 students in this year group.
74% — about the same as the Wokingham average, and 14 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wokingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 74% | 75% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 17% | 30% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 66% | 74% |
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 Wokingham. 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 | 233 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 206 |
| Of those, offered a place | 190 (92%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 662 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.9
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 | Wokingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Reading (Wokingham). Higher than 19% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.0% | 10.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Reading (Wokingham). Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.9% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Reading (Wokingham). Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.2% | 11.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Reading (Wokingham). Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 26.0% | 25.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Reading (Wokingham). Lower than 72% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.1% | 7.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Reading (Wokingham). Lower than 74% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 18.3% | 18.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Reading (Wokingham). Lower than 80% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.6 | 7.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Reading (Wokingham). Lower than 85% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 2.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Reading (Wokingham). Higher than 69% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.7 | 17.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Reading (Wokingham). Higher than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4 | 13.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Reading (Wokingham). Higher than 22% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 12.1%* | 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
- Maiden Erlegh School in Reading 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- UTC Reading 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Reading Blue Coat School 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 53% A*/A at A level
- Maiden Erlegh School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2020), confirmed 2025 · 65% grade 5+ English and maths
- Waingels 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- Reading School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
- Red Balloon Learner Centre Reading 1.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Abbey School Reading 2.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 50% A*/A at A level
- The Deenway Montessori School 2.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Kendrick School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Bulmershe School's Ofsted rating?
The Bulmershe School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 7 November 2017.
How did The Bulmershe School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 56% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points above the England average of 45%.
Is The Bulmershe School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 206 families put The Bulmershe School as their first choice for 233 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 190 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 149611.
- 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.