Classpot

Balcarras School

Cheltenham, GL53 8QFSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
5 Good
Mar 2025
Progress 8
No data
First choices / offers
1.3×
More first choices than offers made
239 1st-choice / 181 offers made
Ranking
🏆Top 10%
#174 of 3,141 nationally

About Balcarras School

Balcarras School is a state-funded secondary school in Cheltenham, South West, for pupils aged 11 to 18 for boys and girls. DfE data records 1,427 pupils on roll and a published capacity of 1,359.

The latest recorded Ofsted overall judgement is Outstanding (4 Mar 2025). the published Attainment 8 score was 58.5 for 2024/25. the published A-level average grade was B- for 2023/24. admissions data records 239 first-preference applications and 181 offers made on national offer day for 2026/27.

Figures can refer to different reporting periods. Check the date and source shown beside each section. How Classpot uses published data.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
AddressEast End Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, GL53 8QF
HeadteacherMr Dominic Burke
Local AuthorityGloucestershire
Number of Pupils1,427
Free School Meals (FSM)6.0%
School Capacity1,427 / 1,359 (105% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 353 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

4 Mar 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Sixth Form Provision
Outstanding

State-funded school inspections stopped receiving a single overall grade from September 2024. Renewed inspections from November 2025 use report cards with separate five-point grades that are not directly comparable with the old scale.

Source: Ofsted, 15 Apr 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Published SEND Data

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning Difficulty

Source: Department for Education. Confirm current provision with the school's SENCO.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Balcarras School

Balcarras School has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This is the overall judgement recorded under the inspection framework in use on the inspection date. Read the report and date before comparing it with newer inspections.