Badocks Wood E-ACT Academy

About Badocks Wood E-ACT Academy

Badocks Wood E-ACT Academy is a state primary in Bristol that clearly appeals to local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 46 applications for just 13 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.54. Of those, 11 were first-preference applications, and 11 first-preference offers were made — meaning every family who put it first got a place, but demand far outstrips supply for the remaining spots. That level of competition is a strong signal that parents rate the school. Unfortunately, no Parent View survey data is available to back that up directly, but the numbers speak for themselves. The school is led by headteacher Gemma Hewson and has a nursery provision for children from age three. It is a mixed, non-religious state school with a capacity of 315, though current pupil numbers sit at 207, so there is room to grow.

Academically, Badocks Wood performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 68% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Bristol local authority average of 58%. That places the school 21st out of 85 primary schools in the city, putting it comfortably in the top 25%. Individual subject scores are solid: a reading average of 103, maths average of 102, and expected-standard rates of 66% in reading, 69% in maths and 68% in writing. Higher-standard attainment is more modest — 17% in maths and 14% in reading, with none in writing or the combined measure. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2022, rated it Good overall, with Good in every category including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This is a significant improvement from its previous inspection in 2016, when it was rated Inadequate.

The school offers a practical, well-resourced environment. Facilities include a library, ICT suite, music rooms, an outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports provision is broad, with athletics, netball, tennis, dance, cross country, gymnastics and swimming on offer. After-school clubs include film, choir, eco club, drama, science club and coding. For families with children who have additional needs, the school lists a wide range of SEND provisions, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, hearing impairment, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties. With 55.9% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a relatively disadvantaged catchment, yet its outcomes are strong. It suits families who want a genuinely inclusive, improving primary with good results and a clear sense of local demand.

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