Tewkesbury Academy

About Tewkesbury Academy

Tewkesbury Academy has undergone a significant turnaround since its most recent Ofsted inspection, where it was judged to require improvement across the board. In its graded inspection in April 2025, inspectors awarded a Good rating for every category assessed, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. The school’s Progress 8 score sits at -0.07, which is banded as Average nationally and places it 31st out of 44 similar schools in Gloucestershire. That score is below the local authority average of 0.19, but it tells only part of the story. The Attainment 8 score of 42.5 and the basics measure at grade 4 or above of 60% suggest that a solid majority of pupils are securing passes in English and maths, though the basics measure at grade 5 or above drops to 39.5%. The EBacc average point score of 3.44 and a very low EBacc entry rate of 4% indicate that the curriculum is not heavily focused on the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects.

At A-level, the school’s sixth form has a value-added score of -0.62, which is banded as well below average, with an average points per entry of 26.62, equivalent to a grade of C-. The best three A-levels average out at a C- grade, and only 4.8% of entries achieved grades of AAB or higher. With 90 pupils in the sixth-form cohort, it is a sizeable provision but one where academic outcomes are notably weaker than the national average. The school’s Progress 8 banding of Average at KS4 provides a more positive headline, though the breakdown shows a slight negative score in English (-0.14) and maths (-0.07), while the EBacc element is essentially flat at -0.03. The open element, which covers other qualifications, is also -0.07. Compared with its previous inspection, the school has clearly improved its overall effectiveness rating, but the exam data suggests that sustained progress is still needed to bring outcomes in line with the strongest local schools.

The school is oversubscribed for 2025/26, with 212 applications for 189 places and 143 first-preference offers, giving a ratio of 1.12 applicants per place. It serves a community with 22.6% of pupils eligible for free school meals, above the national average, and has capacity for 1771 pupils but currently enrols 1108. Facilities include a library, gymnasium, playing fields, tennis courts, science labs, astro turf, a sixth-form centre, and art studios. The school offers a wide range of clubs and activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Model UN, debate, and eco club, alongside sports such as football, rugby, netball, and martial arts. SEND provisions cover a broad spectrum, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. Parent View responses from 264 respondents show mixed feelings: 44% would recommend the school, while 56% would not. The strongest positive responses were around the range of subjects (75% agree or strongly agree) and clubs and activities (80% agree or strongly agree), but concerns were raised about behaviour management and support for SEND pupils. This is a school that has made clear progress in its Ofsted rating and offers a broad curriculum and enrichment programme, but families should weigh the academic outcomes data carefully, particularly for the sixth form.

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