Garth Hill College serves Bracknell Forest as a comprehensive mixed secondary and sixth form for 1,550 students aged 11-18. The school was rated Good by Ofsted and combines straightforward academic provision with an extensive enrichment programme. GCSE results sit in the middle tier nationally; A-level performance reflects a mixed sixth form intake typical of state provision. The leavers' destinations show relatively balanced progression, with 37% progressing to university and 37% moving directly to employment or apprenticeships. For families in the Bracknell area, the school offers accessible secondary education with genuine breadth beyond the classroom.
Garth Hill College occupies a modern campus on Bull Lane in the Birch Hill area of Bracknell. The school's facilities have been developed over successive investment waves, creating a mixed-age building stock with contemporary teaching spaces alongside more traditional structures. Recent building projects reflect the school's commitment to upgrading learning environments.
The atmosphere is orderly and purposeful. Students move between lessons with clear routines established by staff. Behaviour is calm; the school operates effective systems that support most learners in meeting expectations.
Leadership has been consistent in recent years, providing stability for development planning. The school's senior team has implemented curriculum changes and pastoral restructuring designed to improve outcomes and student experience.
The school's stated values emphasise respect, responsibility, and achievement. These are reflected in assemblies and in the day-to-day expectations for conduct and engagement.
The school community is diverse and inclusive, serving families from across the local authority area. Transport links via local bus routes make access relatively straightforward for students across the catchment.
In 2024, Garth Hill College achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 42.4, placing students in the middle tier of national performance. The school ranks 2735th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), sitting at the 60th percentile, which aligns with the national typical band. Locally, the school ranks 5th among Bracknell secondary schools, a solid position reflecting its comprehensive intake.
Progress 8 score of -0.21 indicates students make slightly below-average progress from their starting points to GCSE. This suggests the school's intake affects absolute attainment more than school-specific progress measures. With a comprehensive admissions policy, the school serves all ability ranges without selection.
English Baccalaureate entry remains limited at 8% of the cohort, compared to the England average of 41%. This reflects student choice rather than school barriers; the school offers the requisite subjects.
Sixth form results show 37% of students achieving grades A*-B, below the England average of 47%. The school ranks 1822nd in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it at the 69th percentile within the national lower band. Locally, the school ranks 3rd among Bracknell sixth forms.
The distribution of A*-B grades shows 3% achieving A*, 12% achieving A, and 22% achieving B grades. This indicates a sixth form with mixed prior attainment and varied commitment levels, typical of a non-selective state provision.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
37.02%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum follows the national framework with standard subject choices at both GCSE and A-level. The school offers approximately 20 A-level subjects, covering sciences, humanities, languages, and vocational options. This breadth reflects the diverse aspirations of the sixth form cohort.
Teaching quality varies across departments, as captured in the last inspection. Science teaching is described as competent; languages provision enables continuation from GCSE. Creative subjects provide access to practical skills.
The school operates a structured timetable with form tutor systems providing pastoral oversight. Year groups are divided into smaller units within the larger cohort, attempting to maintain manageable pastoral relationships despite the comprehensive size.
Learning support is available for students with additional needs, though the school does not have designated special educational needs provision. Support staff work alongside classroom teachers in mainstream lessons.
Assessment and feedback systems are established, with regular testing cycles used to monitor progress. Mock examinations occur at standard points in the year.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
37% of leavers in the 2023-24 cohort (cohort of 102 students) progressed to university. This represents a solid progression rate reflecting the academic attainment profile. Students secure places at universities across the full range, from local institutions to research-intensive Russell Group universities.
The school maintains links with higher education providers and hosts representatives for UCAS guidance. The sixth form provides careers guidance integrated with academic study.
Notably, 37% of leavers moved directly into employment, and a further 10% began apprenticeships. This 47% post-16 progression outside university reflects both student aspirations and the realistic career pathways available locally. Bracknell's economic context supports significant youth employment.
The school works with local employers and apprenticeship providers to support students choosing these pathways. Career guidance explicitly addresses non-university routes.
3% progressed to further education colleges, typically for level 3 qualifications or vocational specialisms not offered at Garth Hill.
The school operates an extensive extracurricular programme spanning sports, creative arts, and academic enrichment.
The music department maintains an active programme. A concert band performs at school events and community venues. A choir participates in local music festivals. Jazz ensemble sessions provide performance opportunities for interested musicians. The school hall hosts three productions annually: a whole-school musical, a sixth form drama production, and a staff-student performance event. Drama lessons feed into the production programme, and GCSE/A-level theatre studies students participate in full-scale productions.
Physical education is compulsory to age 14; sport remains integral to sixth form life for many students. The school fields competitive teams across rugby, football, hockey, netball, and cricket. Badminton, volleyball, and basketball provision allows broader participation. Athletics teams represent the school at inter-school competitions. An on-site sports facility includes a gymnasium, multi-use games area, and outdoor pitches.
The school participates in local league fixtures and occasional county-level competitions in popular sports. Students access sports clubs both through the school timetable and via community partners using school facilities.
A robotics club engages students in design challenges and competitions. The engineering club works on practical projects using school workshop facilities. Computer science club runs coding challenges and game development projects. Science societies, including a young engineers group, provide additional STEM engagement.
The school laboratories support practical work in physics, chemistry, and biology. Computing facilities include dedicated suites with modern equipment, supporting A-level computer science and sixth form IT-related courses.
The debating society participates in local and regional competitions. A public speaking club supports students developing presentation skills. Subject-specific revision clubs operate before examination periods. A general knowledge quiz club prepares students for teams competitions.
The school library supports independent study and research, staffed to assist with academic queries. Reading groups informally discuss texts across genres.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme operates at Bronze and Silver levels, with students completing expeditions and skill challenges. A small number of students progress to Gold level in the sixth form.
Mentoring schemes pair older students with younger, supporting transition and social integration. Student leadership roles in form groups and house systems provide responsibility opportunities.
The school participates in community service projects, including local environmental work and support for charitable causes.
Garth Hill College operates comprehensive admissions without academic selection. Entry is coordinated through Bracknell Forest's secondary admissions process. The school is consistently oversubscribed, with approximately 1.92 applications per available place for Year 7 entry.
In recent years, the school has received over 390 applications for approximately 204 places. All first-preference applicants are ranked by admission criteria: looked-after children, siblings, proximity to the school, and catchment residence.
Prospective families should verify their home postcode against the school's catchment area, accessible via the Bracknell Forest admissions website. The school does not publish a specific distance threshold, but historically proximity to Bull Lane in Birch Hill has been a determining factor.
Entry to Garth Hill Sixth Form is not guaranteed for Year 9 progression. Minimum attainment thresholds apply, typically requiring grades 4-5 in GCSE English and mathematics, depending on A-level subject requirements. Students from outside the school may apply; admissions are competitive but accessible to suitably qualified candidates.
A-level subject choices are conditional on GCSE attainment in prerequisite subjects. Further mathematics, sciences, and languages typically require grade 7 or above at GCSE.
The school hosts open evenings typically in October and November for prospective Year 7 families. Sixth form open events occur in the spring term. Tours and question-and-answer sessions with staff are standard. Families are encouraged to visit the school website to register for attendance or to contact the admissions team for information about specific subject teaching.
Applications
391
Total received
Places Offered
204
Subscription Rate
1.9x
Apps per place
Students are organised into year groups with form tutor systems providing day-to-day pastoral oversight. Form tutors know their tutees well and monitor academic progress and emotional wellbeing through regular contact.
The school operates a house system that encourages inter-year relationships and community building. House competitions and events create broader school identity beyond the form group.
Counselling services are available for students experiencing emotional or personal difficulties. Staff are trained in mental health first aid and safeguarding. The school's designated safeguarding leader coordinates support for vulnerable students.
The school's discipline approach uses a clear behaviour policy with graduated sanctions. Positive behaviour is rewarded through merit systems. Serious incidents trigger escalation and parent contact.
The school works closely with external agencies including the local authority's support services, educational psychology, and child and adolescent mental health services where students require additional support.
8:45am to 3:25pm (Year 7-11), with sixth form finishes typically 4:15pm depending on timetable.
Compulsory for Years 7-11. Sixth form students wear smart dress code.
The school campus includes a main teaching block, separate science block, gymnasium, multi-use games area, outdoor pitches, and a sixth form building.
Lunch is provided through a canteen service. Sixth form students access a separate dining facility.
The school is accessible by local bus routes serving Bracknell. Parking is limited on-site; most families use public transport or cycling. The school participates in Bracknell's travel planning initiatives promoting sustainable transport.
This is a state school with no tuition fees. Students must purchase uniform (approximately £120-180). Trips and activities incur additional costs, typically £50-300 per activity depending on type. Music lessons are charged separately if taken as optional provision.
A-level progression is competitive. The sixth form attracts all-ability entrants from the local area. Not all GCSE students progress to A-levels; only those meeting subject-specific entry criteria are admitted. Families should be realistic about attainment thresholds and discuss sixth form prospects with school staff early.
Progress 8 results are slightly below average. The school's -0.21 Progress 8 score indicates that students make slightly less progress than typical from their starting points. This may reflect the school's comprehensive intake or specific cohort characteristics. School leaders point to improvements in recent years; families should discuss progress data when visiting.
Catchment is oversubscribed. With nearly two applications per place, securing entry requires proximity to the school. Families relying on this school for their child's secondary education should verify catchment status with Bracknell Forest and plan accordingly.
Sixth form is not automatic. Progression from Year 11 to sixth form requires meeting entry criteria. A proportion of students at Garth Hill leave after GCSE to study at other sixth form providers, apprenticeships, or further education colleges. The sixth form is not the only post-16 option locally.
Garth Hill College serves its comprehensive catchment with solid, purposeful secondary education. Results sit in the middle tier; outcomes reflect an all-ability intake rather than selective entry. The school offers genuine breadth beyond the classroom, with meaningful music, drama, sports, and academic enrichment. Leadership is stable, and pastoral systems provide structure. For families in the Bracknell catchment seeking mainstream secondary education, the school offers a well-established option with clear routines and reasonable outcomes. The main considerations are managing realistic expectations about academic selectivity and understanding that progression to sixth form and university are not guaranteed pathways but rather options available to suitably attaining students.
Garth Hill College was rated Good by Ofsted. GCSE results place the school at the 60th percentile nationally (FindMySchool ranking), reflecting solid middle-tier performance. The school ranks 5th among Bracknell secondary schools. A-level results are less strong, ranking 3rd locally but at the 69th percentile nationally. The school provides accessible secondary education with effective pastoral systems and extensive extracurricular opportunities.
Applications are made through Bracknell Forest Council's secondary admissions process. The application deadline is typically 31 October for the following September entry. Garth Hill is heavily oversubscribed, with approximately 1.92 applications per place. Allocations are based on looked-after children, siblings, catchment residence, and then distance from the school. Verify your postcode's catchment status on the Bracknell Forest website.
The school serves the Birch Hill area and surrounding Bracknell postcodes. There is no published distance threshold, but proximity to Bull Lane is historically significant in admissions. Families should check their specific postcode using the Bracknell Forest admissions lookup tool. The school does not operate a formal numbered catchment boundary, but distance from school gates is the determining criterion after looked-after children and siblings.
In 2024, the average Attainment 8 score was 42.4, placing the school in the middle tier nationally. At A-level, 37% of students achieved grades A*-B. These results reflect a comprehensive, non-selective sixth form intake. Progress 8 was -0.21, slightly below national average. Subject performance varies; students should discuss expectations with departments when choosing options.
The school runs extensive extracurriculars including concert band, jazz ensemble, school musical productions, drama club, rugby, football, hockey, netball, cricket, badminton, volleyball, athletics, robotics club, engineering club, coding club, debating society, public speaking, Duke of Edinburgh Award (Bronze and Silver), and community service projects. Most are open to interested students at no additional cost beyond school fees (there are none, as this is a state school).
With 1.92 applications per place, many applications are unsuccessful. Bracknell Forest will offer a place at an alternative secondary school based on admissions criteria. Other secondaries in the area include secondary moderns and grammar schools requiring separate entrance examinations. Sixth form entry is available to external candidates meeting subject-specific GCSE requirements. Consider nearby schools as alternatives and contact Bracknell Forest admissions for support.
The sixth form offers approximately 20 A-level subjects. Entry requires GCSE grades typically of 4-5 in core subjects; specific subjects have higher thresholds. Students from outside Garth Hill may apply if they meet entry criteria. The sixth form cohort is mixed-ability, reflecting both internal and external admissions. Some Garth Hill Year 11s progress elsewhere to sixth form; external candidates join from other schools.
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