John Cabot Academy

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.

Academically, John Cabot Academy delivers results that are well above the local average. Its Progress 8 score of 0.44 is rated as Above average, a strong contrast to the South Gloucestershire average of -0.25. In English, the school adds 0.34 of a grade per pupil, while in maths the figure rises to 0.76, indicating particularly strong progress in that subject. The Attainment 8 score sits at 50.8, and 79.5 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. The EBacc average point score is 4.1, though only 19.2 per cent of pupils entered the EBacc combination of subjects. At A-level, the picture is more mixed: the school’s value added score of -0.22 is rated Below average, with a points per entry of 26.33, equivalent to a C- grade. The best three A-levels average out at a C- as well. However, the sixth form itself was judged Outstanding by Ofsted in the same 2024 inspection, which suggests strong leadership and provision in that phase.

The school is heavily oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 309 applications for 141 places, with all 100 first-preference applicants being offered a spot. That gives an oversubscription ratio of 2.19, so families need to be confident in ranking it first. Facilities are generous for a state school, including a swimming pool, theatre, sports hall, astro turf, tennis courts, and a sixth form centre. There is also a chapel on site. The school supports a wide range of special educational needs, including dyslexia, autism, speech and language difficulties, and physical disabilities. Parent View responses from 116 families show 73 per cent would recommend the school, though there are notable areas of concern: only 34 per cent of parents agreed that SEND children get the support they need, and 38 per cent disagreed. Similarly, 38 per cent disagreed that concerns are dealt with properly. For families who value strong academic progress and a broad range of clubs and activities, this school is a clear local leader, but those with children with SEND may want to investigate the support on offer more closely.

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