Balcarras School

Secondary
Academy
Ages 11 to 18

Ofsted judgements: Outstanding

East End Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL53 8QFOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Balcarras School is a secondary school in Cheltenham for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 329 schools in Gloucestershire. It ranks 2nd of 8 secondary schools in Cheltenham. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in March 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 4 March 2025, report published 15 April 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education: Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding
Personal development: Outstanding
Leadership and management: Outstanding
Sixth form provision: Outstanding
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

194 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score58.5

58.5, 12.4 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths66.5%

66.5%, 21.1 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths84%

84%, 19.2 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc47.9%

47.9%, 7.4 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score5.17

5.17, 1.08 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

216 students

Average point score per A level entry40.28

40.28, 5.28 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,427 pupils on roll, with places for 1,359

Eligible for free school meals6%

6%, 20.5 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language4.8%

4.8%, 16.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support6.1%

6.1%, 8.7 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.7%

2.7%, 3.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Balcarras School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
St Edward's School	0.8 miles	No Ofsted inspection	Attainment 8: 38.5
Cheltenham College	2 miles	No Ofsted inspection	Attainment 8: 21.4
Cheltenham Ladies' College	2 miles	No Ofsted inspection	Attainment 8: 78.2
The High School Leckhampton	2 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	Not published
Pittville School	2 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 47.5

School details

School type: Academy converter
Sector: Academy
Trust: THE BALCARRAS TRUST
Age range: 11 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: Yes
Headteacher: Mr Dominic Burke
Phone: 01242515881
Website: balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: East End Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL53 8QF
Local authority: Gloucestershire
URN: 136474

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.