Bronte Girls' Academy Review 2026: Academic Ambition in the Heart of Bradford

Bronte Girls' Academy is a relatively young, purpose-built secondary school that has quickly established itself as a significant academic force in Bradford. Since opening its doors in 2019, the academy has sought to provide a high-performing alternative for girls in the East Bowling area, focusing on a curriculum that mirrors the rigour of top-tier selective schools while remaining fully inclusive. The school sits in the top 25% of schools in England (national strong band), a positioning that reflects the rapid progress students make from their starting points.

The academy is part of the iExel Education Trust, and its name pays homage to the literary heritage of the region, specifically the Bronte sisters, as a symbol of female intellectual empowerment. With a capacity for 720 students, the school feels modern, focused, and increasingly competitive, drawing significant interest from families across Bradford who are looking for a disciplined and ambitious environment for their daughters.

The atmosphere at Bronte Girls' Academy is one of quiet purpose and high expectations. The building itself is a striking piece of modern architecture, featuring clean lines and glass-fronted spaces that create an environment more akin to a modern university or professional office than a traditional Victorian school. This physical environment is intentional; it is designed to signal to the students that their education is a serious, professional endeavour.

Mrs Rehana Shafquat, who has led the school as Principal, has cultivated a culture based on the core values of Respect, Resilience, and Responsibility. These values are not merely decorative but are embedded in the school's daily routines. There is a visible emphasis on etiquette and professional conduct, with students encouraged to carry themselves with confidence and pride. The all-girls environment is frequently cited by the school as a key factor in its success, allowing students to explore subjects and leadership roles without the social pressures or gendered expectations that can sometimes exist in co-educational settings.

Community engagement is a pillar of the academy's character. The school works closely with local Bradford organisations and regularly hosts events that bring parents and community leaders into the building. This creates a sense of shared ownership and ensures that the academy is not an island, but a central hub for the East Bowling community.

The 2024 GCSE results tell a story of strong performance and academic consistency. Bronte Girls' Academy ranks 1112th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and ranks 7th among secondary schools in Bradford. This places the academy comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England (national strong percentile band).

The performance metrics are particularly impressive when viewed through the lens of student progress. The Progress 8 score of +0.21 indicates that students here make better-than-average progress compared to their peers nationally. The Attainment 8 score of 51.2 is also significantly higher than the England average.

Furthermore, 27.6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), which is a reflection of the school's commitment to a traditional, academic curriculum. The average EBacc APS score of 4.69 sits well above the England average of 4.08, confirming that students are performing well across the core academic pillars of English, mathematics, sciences, languages, and humanities.

Teaching at Bronte Girls' Academy is characterised by a highly structured and traditional approach. The school utilises a "Knowledge-Rich" curriculum, which focuses on ensuring students master foundational concepts before moving on to more complex applications. This is delivered through a model of direct instruction, where teachers lead with expert subject knowledge and students engage in deliberate practice.

The latest Ofsted report rated the academy Outstanding in three of the four inspection categories, specifically for the quality of education, leadership, and behaviour. The report confirms that the curriculum is ambitious and skilfully taught, enabling students to develop detailed knowledge across their subjects.

The curriculum is weighted toward the EBacc subjects, reflecting the school’s belief that these provide the best foundation for higher education and professional careers. In mathematics and the sciences, the academy has been noted for its rigorous tracking of student progress, with regular testing used to identify and bridge gaps in knowledge. Literacy is a whole-school priority, with dedicated time for reading built into the weekly schedule for all year groups.

The academy offers a range of activities designed to build character and "cultural capital" outside of formal lessons. The extracurricular programme is structured around the "Bronte Award," a proprietary scheme that encourages students to engage in volunteering, physical activity, and skill-building.

STEM initiatives are a major pillar of the school's extracurricular life. The academy hosts a popular Robotics Club and has participated in local and regional coding competitions. These activities are designed to encourage more girls to pursue careers in science and technology, a central mission of the iExel Trust.

Creative arts and leadership are also well-represented. The Student Council is an active body that meets regularly with the senior leadership team to discuss school improvements. Other notable clubs include:

• The Debate Society, which competes in local Bradford leagues.
• The Eco-Committee, focused on sustainability within the school campus.
• The "Scholars Project," which provides high-attaining students with additional academic enrichment.

Pastoral care is organised through a traditional year-group system, with each student belonging to a small form group. The form tutor is the primary point of contact for families and is responsible for the holistic wellbeing of the students.

The academy places a significant emphasis on student safety and wellbeing. Inspection findings describe student behaviour as exemplary, noting that pupils are welcoming, confident, and respond well to the school's extremely high expectations. The school's small-to-medium size (720 capacity) helps in this regard, as staff are able to maintain a detailed understanding of the needs and circumstances of individual students.

Wellbeing is also addressed through the PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) curriculum, which covers topics such as online safety, healthy relationships, and financial literacy, tailored to the specific challenges facing young women in the modern world.

Bronte Girls' Academy is a non-selective state academy, but it is increasingly oversubscribed. In the measurement period, there were 467 applications for just 150 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 3.11. This means there are more than three applications for every available seat, making it one of the most in-demand schools in Bradford.

The academy follows the Bradford Local Authority coordinated admissions process. Priority is given to looked-after children and those with siblings already at the school. Remaining places are largely allocated based on distance from the school.

Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates to understand their likelihood of securing a place. The high volume of first-preference applications means that those living further than a mile or two from the Bolling Road site may find it difficult to gain entry.

Fees & Financial Aid

This is a state-funded academy with no tuition fees. All core education is provided free of charge to students. Families may encounter small costs for items such as school uniforms, optional educational trips, and specific extracurricular materials. The academy works hard to ensure these costs do not become a barrier to participation, and financial support may be available for families eligible for Pupil Premium funding.

The school day typically begins at 8:20 am and concludes at 2:50 pm, though many students remain later for extracurricular activities or supervised study. The school's location in East Bowling makes it accessible via local bus routes, though many students walk from the surrounding residential areas.

The academy provides a breakfast club from 7:45 am, providing students with a calm and nutritious start to the day. Wraparound care after 3:00 pm is primarily delivered through the extensive club and enrichment programme, which typically runs until 4:00 pm.

• Fierce Competition for Places: With over three applications for every place, securing entry is the primary hurdle for families. The school's rising reputation in Bradford means this demand is likely to increase.
• Traditional Academic Focus: The school is unapologetically academic. While this suits students aiming for university, the heavy emphasis on EBacc subjects may feel restrictive for those with a primary interest in more vocational paths.
• All-Girls Environment: This is a defining feature of the academy. While many families seek this out specifically for the academic and social benefits it can provide girls, it is a significant factor to weigh for those who may prefer a co-educational setting.
• Access to Enrichment: While the curriculum is strong, formal reviews suggest that access to a wide range of enrichment activities is still being embedded across all year groups.

Bronte Girls' Academy is an excellent choice for parents in Bradford seeking a disciplined, high-achieving, and supportive environment for their daughters. It successfully combines modern facilities with a traditional, rigour-focused curriculum, delivering results that place it among the top tier of state schools in the region. Best suited to academically ambitious students who thrive in a structured environment and want to be part of a community that specifically champions female success.