Secondary school

The Castle School

  • Academy Converter
  • ages 11–18
  • Mixed
  • South Gloucestershire
  • BS35 1HT
  • Sixth form
Ofsted report card · inspected Mar 2026

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Results · 2024/25

Ranked 686 of 3,280 secondaries in England · top 21%

Top % in England, by year
2015/16: top 37%37%2016/17: top 20%2017/18: top 24%2018/19: top 37%2021/22: top 15%15% · 2021/222022/23: top 21%2023/24: top 27%2024/25: top 21%No exams

A-level results

#122 of 224 South West sixth forms, state and independent, 2024/25

Independent and selective (grammar) schools choose their pupils, so high results partly reflect who gets in, not only teaching. Some independent schools don't publish results.

Against South West

Attainment 852.4 · South West 45.59/10 Top 20%−5 pts since 21/22
Grade 5+ English and maths58.3% · South West 44.2%9/10 Top 20%+5.1 pts since 21/22
EBacc point score4.93 · South West 3.989/10 Top 20%
Progress 8 · 2023/24+0.33 · South West −0.028/10 Above+35 pts since 18/19
A level points per entry33.84 · South West 33.676/10 Middle−18.5 pts since 21/22
Show exam results by year

No exams 2019/20–21

Attainment 8
2015/16: 52 · 260 pupils · South West 50.22016/17: 52.2 · 247 pupils · South West 45.62017/18: 51.6 · 267 pupils · South West 45.72018/19: 48.5 · 255 pupils · South West 45.82021/22: 57.5 · 212 pupils · South West 47.52022/23: 52.5 · 263 pupils · South West 45.42023/24: 50.6 · 259 pupils · South West 45.32024/25: 52.4 · 223 pupils · South West 45.4557.548.5No exams
Grade 5+ English and maths
2016/17: 55% · 247 pupils · South West 39%2017/18: 47% · 267 pupils · South West 40%2018/19: 40% · 255 pupils · South West 39%2021/22: 61% · 212 pupils · South West 46%2022/23: 54% · 263 pupils · South West 42%2023/24: 52.1% · 259 pupils · South West 44.1%2024/25: 58.3% · 223 pupils · South West 44.2%61%40%No exams
A level points per entry
2015/16: 33.84 · 174 pupils · South West 29.292016/17: 34.22 · 167 pupils · South West 30.032017/18: 34.46 · 158 pupils · South West 30.252018/19: 36.36 · 148 pupils · South West 31.572021/22: 39.38 · 140 pupils · South West 36.992022/23: 35.1 · 148 pupils · South West 33.142023/24: 33.56 · 116 pupils · South West 33.012024/25: 33.84 · 133 pupils · South West 33.6739.3833.56No exams

Getting in · 2026

First-choice families who got in100.0%
235 of 235 who put it first2014 · 98.0%2026 · 100.0%
By preference
ChoiceAppliedOffered
1st235235
2nd8716
3rd463

Last distance offered: London only

Inspections · 2006–2026

  • InclusionExpected
  • AchievementExpected
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected
  • Leadership and governanceExpected
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected
  • Post-16 provisionExpected
  • SafeguardingMet
  1. 2006Goodas predecessor
  2. 2009Outstandingas predecessor
  3. 2012Goodas predecessor
  4. 2016Ungraded visit
  5. 2021Remains Good
  6. 2026Lowest Expected

Pupils · 2024/25

On roll · Jan 20261,416
Free school meals (past 6 years)15.0%
First language not English15.8%
SEN support7.2%
EHC plan2.8%
Absence (sessions missed)7.8%
Persistently absent pupils22.3%

Girls 52.1%Boys 47.9%

81.7% full · 1,733 places · 254 in sixth form

Parent View

As at 6 Apr 2026 · 233 responses (16.1% of pupils)

  • My child is happy at this school89.3% agree
  • My child feels safe at this school92.3% agree
  • The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved84.5% agree
  • Has your child been bullied at this school?18.4% yes
  • When the bullying took place the school dealt with it quickly and effectively · asked only of the 18.4% who said Yes above67.4% agree
  • Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities?24.5% yes
  • The school gives them the support they need to succeed · asked only of the 24.5% who said Yes above63.1% agree
  • The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know84.1% agree
  • When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly · 15% had no concerns to raise76.8% agree
  • When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart82% agree
  • The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well84.6% agree
  • Would you recommend this school to another parent?94% yes
  • Your overall view of the school89.5% positive

Workforce · 2025/26

Pupils per teacher18.3
Pupils per adult13.3
  • Classroom teachers 69.8
  • Leadership 7.8
  • Teaching assistants 21
  • Other support 20.9

Teachers 77.6 FTE · Whole workforce 119.5 · 144 people

Financials · 2024/25

Income per pupil£6,583
Spend per pupil£6,584
Staff spend per pupil£5,239
Reserve per pupil£0
  • £0revenue reserve
  • −£2,000in-year balance

Grants £7,049 · self-generated £78 · premises £324 per pupil

Multi-academy trust: CASTLE SCHOOL EDUCATION TRUST (9 academies) · trust reserve £3,647,000 · Reserves in a multi-academy trust belong to the trust; this academy's figures include the share of central costs the trust gives it

Destinations · 2023/24 leavers

After Year 11

259 students, followed through 2024/25 · Provisional

  • Sustained91.1%
  • Education81.5%
  • Apprenticeship6.6%
  • Employment3.1%
  • Not sustained5.8%
  • Unknown3.1%

After sixth form (16–18)

126 students, followed through 2024/25 · Provisional

  • Sustained92.9%
  • Education54%
  • Higher education51.6%
  • Apprenticeship4.8%
  • Employment34.1%
  • Not sustained3.2%
  • Unknown4%