Bristol Metropolitan Academy
116%
Capacity
1,096
Pupils
2.1x
Demand
About Bristol Metropolitan Academy
Bristol Metropolitan Academy is a popular choice among local families, and the numbers back that up. For entry in 2025/26, the school received 439 applications for 209 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.1. Of those, 225 families put it as their first preference, and 182 first-preference offers were made. That level of demand suggests a strong reputation in the community. The school is led by headteacher Kristin Bridgeman and currently has 1,096 pupils on roll, which is above its stated capacity of 945. It is a mixed, non-denominational secondary with a sixth form, and it serves a diverse intake: 30% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is a significant proportion and points to a genuinely comprehensive mix of students.
Academically, the school is performing well above the national average. Its Progress 8 score of 0.54 is classified as 'Well above average' and places it 3rd out of 20 schools in the Bristol local authority, and 29th out of 306 schools in the South West region. That score is well clear of the local authority average of 0. The Attainment 8 score sits at 48, and 70.7% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. The school also has a strong EBacc entry rate of 56.3%, with 31.2% of pupils achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022, the school was rated Good overall, with leadership and management judged Outstanding. Behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and quality of education were all rated Good.
The school offers a broad range of facilities including a theatre, library, science labs, sports hall, tennis courts, playing fields, and a dedicated sixth form centre. There is a strong extracurricular programme with clubs covering everything from chess and debate to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Young Enterprise, and Model UN. Sports on offer include swimming, rugby, rowing, gymnastics, and football. The school also has extensive SEND provisions, supporting pupils with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and physical disabilities. For families looking for a large, oversubscribed city academy with strong academic outcomes and a genuinely inclusive intake, Bristol Metropolitan Academy is a compelling option.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 19 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Snowdon Road, Bristol, Bristol, City of, BS16 2HD |
| Headteacher | Kristin Bridgeman |
| Local Authority | Bristol, City of |
| Number of Pupils | 1,096 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 30.0% |
| School Capacity | 1,096 / 945 (116% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
23 Mar 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 12 Jun 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.54)
458th of 3,141
Nationally
29th of 306
In South West
3rd 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.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
20Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed209
439
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
225 families put this school as their 1st choice (51% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British44.9%
- Asian20.7%
- Mixed14.0%
- White (other)6.5%
- Black1.5%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
9
Total schools
6
Oversubscribed
6
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bristol Metropolitan Academy
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
Snowdon Road, Bristol
Bristol, City of, BS16 2HD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at Bristol Metropolitan Academy!
Write a Review