St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School
101%
Capacity
754
Pupils
2.8x
Demand
About St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School
St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Bristol, City of community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 754 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (101% of 750 places).
Ofsted has rated St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Edward Walker, it falls under Bristol, City of local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.32 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 43.0. Additionally, ranked 2281st out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 17th out of 20 in Bristol, City of.
St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School is a popular choice with families — it received 408 applications for 144 places, making it 2.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 167 were first-preference applications.
St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 87% recommending the school (45 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Bernadette Catholic Secondary School include Science Labs, Art Studios, Library, ICT Suite, Sixth Form Centre, Playing Fields, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Gymnastics, Cricket, Dance, Rowing and 5 more, as well as clubs including Book Club, Debate, Drama, Film Club and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 27.2%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bristol, City of, St Bernadette Catholic Secondary 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 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Fossedale Avenue, Bristol, Bristol, City of, BS14 9LS |
| Headteacher | Edward Walker |
| Local Authority | Bristol, City of |
| Number of Pupils | 754 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 27.2% |
| School Capacity | 754 / 750 (101% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
8 Jan 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (8 Jan 2025): Standards maintained
Source: Ofsted, 3 Dec 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.32)
2281st of 3,141
Nationally
244th of 306
In South West
17th of 20
In Bristol, City of
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less 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.
Ofsted Parent View
45 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed144
408
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
167 families put this school as their 1st choice (41% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Bernadette Catholic Secondary 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
Fossedale Avenue, Bristol
Bristol, City of, BS14 9LS
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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