The Castle School
Park Road, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 1HTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Castle School is a secondary school in Bristol for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 122 schools in South Gloucestershire. It ranks 7th of 44 secondary schools in Bristol. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in March 2026.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 31 March 2026, report published 25 June 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Expected standard
- Achievement
- Expected standard
- Attendance and behaviour
- Expected standard
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Expected standard
- Leadership and governance
- Expected standard
- Post-16 provision
- Expected standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 31 March 2026
Pupils are proud to attend The Castle School. The warm respectful relationships between pupils and staff are the foundation of this school community. Pupils feel safe and trust staff to help them with any concerns. Bullying is rare and never tolerated. Older pupils act as positive role models for younger pupils. The junior leadership team works alongside school leaders to give pupils a voice in how to improve their school. They provide support to other pupils as anti-bullying ambassadors and mentors. Pupils take these responsibilities very seriously. They are proud of the legacy that they are leaving for the next generation of pupils. Pupils enjoy their learning. Teachers plan lessons that help pupils to understand and remember the curriculum. Trips and guest speakers bring subjects to life for pupils. Where pupils have barriers to their learning or wellbeing, they typically receive the support that they need to learn as well as their peers. Consequently, pupils achieve well in their chosen qualifications in Year 11 and Year 13. Pupils appreciate the clear expectations for behaviour in lessons and around the school site. This means that lessons are rarely disrupted and pupils can focus on their learning. Pupils attend school regularly. Leaders support pupils who have been absent to return to lessons quickly. Pupils are well prepared for adult life. They understand that as citizens of Britain they need to be respectful and tolerant of others. Pupils develop these skills through charity fundraising and hosting community events. A range of extra-curricular activities, accessible to all, helps pupils to find their own talents and interests. They learn to play chess, work backstage in the drama production or compete on the sports field. A particular highlight for pupils and staff is the annual school music festival which brings the school community together.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is consistently taught in a highly effective way so that all pupils, regardless of their barriers to learning, achieve as well as possible.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
223 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
133 students
Average A level grade C+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,416 pupils on roll, with places for 1,733
Schools near The Castle School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marlwood School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 43.2 |
| Tockington Manor School | 3 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| SGS Berkeley Green UTC | 5 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 41.2 |
| Patchway Community School | 6 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | Attainment 8: 37.0 |
| Bradley Stoke Community School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 50.6 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- PATHWAY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Ms Jo Cowper
- Phone
- 01454862100
- Address
- Park Road, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 1HT
- Local authority
- South Gloucestershire
- URN
- 139348
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.