E-Act Barton Hill Academy

About E-Act Barton Hill Academy

Just over 63% of parents who responded to the most recent Parent View survey would recommend E-Act Barton Hill Academy, a figure that sits below the national average for primary schools. The school is oversubscribed for Reception places in the 2025/26 academic year, with 30 applications for 20 places and 19 of those coming as first preferences, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.5. This suggests a degree of local demand, even though the school is not among the highest-ranked primaries in Bristol. Headteacher Matthew Poulson leads a mixed, non-denominational state primary for children aged 3 to 11, with nursery provision on site. The school has capacity for 420 pupils but currently enrols 265, meaning there is room to grow. A very high proportion of pupils — 78.1% — are eligible for free school meals, which is significantly above the national average and indicates a community with considerable socio-economic challenges.

In its most recent Ofsted inspection, carried out in April 2024, the school was rated Requires Improvement overall, the same grade it received in its previous inspection in February 2020. The inspection report notes that the quality of education and leadership and management both require improvement, while behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and early years provision are all rated Good. This split picture suggests that while the school’s pastoral and developmental work is effective, academic delivery and leadership consistency need strengthening. On academic outcomes, the local authority average for Key Stage 2 attainment in Bristol is 58%, so any school falling below that benchmark will face scrutiny. E-Act Barton Hill Academy does not publish its own KS2 results in the available data, but the Ofsted judgement implies that progress and attainment are not yet where they need to be. The school is part of the E-ACT multi-academy trust, which may bring additional oversight and support.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including art studios, music rooms, a gymnasium, playing fields, a library, and an ICT suite. Sports provision covers dance, football, gymnastics, and cricket, while extracurricular clubs include drama, art club, and choir. For families with children who have special educational needs, the school lists provisions for moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, visual impairment, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. This breadth of SEND support is notable for a primary of this size. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary is Oasis Academy Marksbury Road, 2.8 km away, which may be a consideration for parents weighing options. E-Act Barton Hill Academy will suit families who value a school that is honest about its challenges, offers strong pastoral care and SEND support, and serves a diverse, high-needs community in inner-city Bristol.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About E-Act Barton Hill Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents