Bristol Cathedral Choir School
113%
Capacity
1,183
Pupils
6.8x
Demand
About Bristol Cathedral Choir School
Bristol Cathedral Choir School is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Bristol, City of community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,183 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (113% of 1,050 places).
Ofsted has rated Bristol Cathedral Choir School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Wade Nottingham, it falls under Bristol, City of local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.55 is well above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is strong at 56.7. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of B-. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 446th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 2nd out of 20 in Bristol, City of.
Bristol Cathedral Choir School is a popular choice with families — it received 918 applications for 136 places, making it 6.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 247 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Bristol Cathedral Choir School include Library, Theatre, Sports Hall, Swimming Pool, Dining Hall, Science Labs, Astro Turf, ICT Suite, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Netball, Cross Country, Gymnastics, Cricket and 2 more, as well as clubs including Film Club, Gardening, Newspaper, Book Club and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 25.8%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bristol, City of, Bristol Cathedral Choir School is one of the options available in the South West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | College Square, Bristol, Bristol, City of, BS1 5TS |
| Headteacher | Wade Nottingham |
| Local Authority | Bristol, City of |
| Number of Pupils | 1,183 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 25.8% |
| School Capacity | 1,183 / 1,050 (113% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
29 Nov 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 30 Jan 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.55)
446th of 3,141
Nationally
27th of 306
In South West
2nd of 20
In Bristol, City of
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
42.0
'22/23
38.9
'23/24
38.1
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed136
918
Extremely High Demand
Very competitive - significantly more applications than places
247 families put this school as their 1st choice (27% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bristol Cathedral Choir School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
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
Contact Information
College Square, Bristol
Bristol, City of, BS1 5TS
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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