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John Cabot Academy

South Gloucestershire, BS15 8BDSecondaryAges 11–19MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
5 Good
Nov 2024
Progress 8
+0.44
Above average
−20+2
Competition
0.7×
Not oversubscribed
100 1st-choice / 141 places
Ranking
🏆Top 25%
#580 of 3,141 nationally

About John Cabot Academy

John Cabot Academy is the top-performing secondary school in South Gloucestershire, ranking first out of 16 schools in the local authority based on Progress 8 scores. Its closest competitors in the area are Bradley Stoke Community School, The Castle School, and Brimsham Green School, all of which trail behind on the same measure. The school sits in the top 25 per cent of schools nationally and is ranked 36th out of 306 secondaries in the South West region. It is a mixed, non-denominational state academy for pupils aged 11 to 19, with a current roll of 1,278 students against a capacity of 1,400. Just over a quarter of its pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is a significant proportion and suggests the school serves a diverse catchment. Headteacher Kate Willis leads a school that has held a Good rating from Ofsted since at least 2018, with its most recent graded inspection in November 2024 confirming that standard across all key areas.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 19 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressWoodside Road, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, BS15 8BD
HeadteacherKate Willis
Local AuthoritySouth Gloucestershire
Number of Pupils1,278
Free School Meals (FSM)28.1%
School Capacity1,278 / 1,400 (91% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 116 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

5 Nov 2024
View Report
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Outstanding

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 12 Jan 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

11
Music RoomsSports HallSixth Form CentreSwimming PoolArt StudiosTheatreAstro TurfPlaying FieldsTennis CourtsICT SuiteChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

14

Sports

TennisFootballRowingGymnasticsRoundersBadmintonBasketballMartial ArtsDance

Clubs & Activities

Book ClubModel United NationsDebateFilm ClubChess

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About John Cabot Academy

John Cabot Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.