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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Expected standardURN 139348

The Castle School

Academy converter · Bristol · BS35 1HT

Ages 11–18 · 1,416 pupils · South Gloucestershire

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

Attainment 8

50.6

Overall absence

7.7%

Admissions demand

0.88 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-03-31

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.33
−20+2
Attainment 850.6
English & maths grade 5+52%
English & maths grade 4+73%
EBacc entry51%

EBacc APS: 4.6

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.7%
Persistent absence (10%+)21.5%
Unauthorised2.2%
Authorised absence
5.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.3%
Enrolments in measure
1,242

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.88 · Often has places

1st preferences

227

Places offered

260

1st-preference offers

227

Total preferences (any rank)
353
Preferred offers (top 3)
259
Applications from outside LA
17
Offers to outside-LA applicants
8
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill82%

1,416 pupils · 1,733 places

Pupils on roll
1,416
Boys / girls
665 / 751
School capacity
1,733
Capacity fill
1,416 / 1,733 (82%)
Free school meals
14.6%
FSM pupils
173
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: PATHWAY TRUST
Academy trust
PATHWAY TRUST
Sponsor
Castle School Education Trust
Headteacher
Ms Jessica Lobbett

Location

Address
Park Road, Thornbury
Postcode
BS35 1HT
Town
Bristol
County
Gloucestershire
Local authority
South Gloucestershire
District
South Gloucestershire
Constituency
Thornbury and Yate
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, 1,416 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 14.6%.

Open schools in Bristol
324
Secondary schools in Bristol
43
Academies among open schools in Bristol
57% (184)
Open schools in BS35
17
Secondary in BS35
2
Open schools in South Gloucestershire LA
126
Secondary in South Gloucestershire LA
15

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BristolNear BS35

  • Marlwood School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bristol · BS35 3LA · South Gloucestershire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att847.6
    • P8-0.2
    • EM5+50%
    • Absence9.2%

    1.7 miles away

  • Manorbrook Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Bristol · BS35 1JW · South Gloucestershire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS279%
    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM6.6%
    • Demand0.93

    0.2 miles away

  • Gillingstool Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bristol · BS35 2EG · South Gloucestershire

    Ages 4–11

    • FSM29.4%

    0.6 miles away

  • New Siblands School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy special converter

    Bristol · BS35 2JU · South Gloucestershire

    Ages 2–19

    • Absence12.0%
    • FSM28.6%

    0.7 miles away

  • Crossways Infant School

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bristol · BS35 2HQ · South Gloucestershire

    Ages 5–7

    • FSM13.1%

    0.7 miles away

  • Crossways Junior School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Bristol · BS35 2HQ · South Gloucestershire

    Ages 7–11

    • FSM15.3%

    0.7 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Ms Jessica Lobbett
Telephone
01454862100
Website
www.thecastleschool.org.uk

Official links