Branston Community Academy

About Branston Community Academy

Branston Community Academy is a mixed secondary school in North Kesteven, Lincolnshire, with a current roll of 1,152 pupils against a capacity of 1,225, meaning it is operating close to full but with a small buffer. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 22.5%, which is notably higher than the national average of around 23% and suggests the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 303 applications for 203 places, an oversubscription ratio of 1.49, with 174 offers going to first-preference applicants out of 176 first-preference applications. This indicates that while the school is popular locally, a significant number of families who put it first still secured a place. The school has a non-religious character and is led by headteacher James Carter.

Academically, Branston’s most recent published outcomes place it below average. At Key Stage 4, its Progress 8 score was -0.22, meaning pupils achieved around a fifth of a grade less per subject than similar pupils nationally. This is below the Lincolnshire local authority average of -0.06 and ranks the school 32nd out of 57 secondary schools in the county. Attainment 8 stood at 43.2, and 41% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc average point score was 3.85, with 49.8% of pupils entering the EBacc combination. At A-level, the school’s value added score was -0.4, placing it in the ‘below average’ banding, with an average points per entry of 32.28 (equivalent to a C+ grade). The best three A-levels averaged a B- grade. Ofsted’s most recent inspection in March 2025 rated the school as Requires Improvement overall, with behaviour and attitudes, quality of education, and leadership and management all judged as Requires Improvement, while personal development and sixth-form provision were rated Good.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including science labs, art studios, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a dedicated sixth-form centre. Sports provision covers rounders, rowing, rugby, and hockey, while clubs include the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, debate, and a newspaper group. SEND support is available for a wide range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. However, the Parent View survey, based on 210 responses, reveals mixed sentiment: 62% of parents would recommend the school, but only 38% agreed that concerns are dealt with properly, and just 38% agreed that SEND children receive the support they need. This school may suit families who value its inclusive intake and broad extracurricular offer, but those prioritising strong academic outcomes or consistent behaviour management may want to look more closely at the Ofsted findings and progress data before applying.

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