Bristol Brunel Academy
About Bristol Brunel Academy
Bristol Brunel Academy is a large, mixed secondary school in the Bristol, City of local authority, serving pupils from age 11 to 16. It ranks 9th out of 20 similar schools in the local authority, placing it in the top half of its peers. The top-performing schools in the area are Redland Green School, Bristol Cathedral Choir School, and Bristol Metropolitan Academy, all of which sit above it in the rankings. The school is led by headteacher Jenny Cusack and has a capacity of 1,160 pupils, though it currently enrols 1,299, making it oversubscribed. In its most recent Ofsted inspection, carried out in 2023, the school was rated Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. This marks a clear improvement from its previous graded inspection in 2013, when it was rated Requires Improvement. The school does not have a sixth form, despite listing a Sixth Form Centre among its facilities, and it is not a boarding school.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
7 Jun 2023Latest monitoring visit (7 Jun 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 30 Jun 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
12Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bristol Brunel Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
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SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices