Cotham School
112%
Capacity
1,655
Pupils
2.6x
Demand
About Cotham School
Cotham School is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Bristol, City of community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,655 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (112% of 1,480 places).
Ofsted has rated Cotham School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Joanne Butler, it falls under Bristol, City of local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.10 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 46.2. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1309th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 10th out of 20 in Bristol, City of.
Cotham School is a popular choice with families — it received 670 applications for 260 places, making it 2.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 165 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 Cotham School include Theatre, Library, Science Labs, Playing Fields, Art Studios, Astro Turf, Dining Hall, Music Rooms, ICT Suite, Gymnasium, Tennis Courts, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Cricket, Rugby, Basketball and 2 more, as well as clubs including Model UN, Art Club, Young Enterprise, Debate and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 37.8%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bristol, City of, Cotham 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 | Does not apply |
| Address | Cotham Lawn Road, Bristol, Bristol, City of, BS6 6DT |
| Headteacher | Joanne Butler |
| Local Authority | Bristol, City of |
| Number of Pupils | 1,655 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 37.8% |
| School Capacity | 1,655 / 1,480 (112% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
18 Oct 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (18 Oct 2023): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 10 May 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.10)
1309th of 3,141
Nationally
119th of 306
In South West
10th of 20
In Bristol, City of
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
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
35.0
'22/23
31.5
'23/24
33.8
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
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed260
670
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
165 families put this school as their 1st choice (25% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cotham 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
Cotham Lawn Road, Bristol
Bristol, City of, BS6 6DT
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
