Bradley Stoke Community School

On the northern fringe of Bristol, where the M4 and M5 corridors meet South Gloucestershire's newest residential quarter, Bradley Stoke Community School has grown from a blank slate into one of the area's most sought-after all-through options. Opened in 2005 to serve a community that previously had no secondary provision, the school now educates over 1,300 pupils from Reception through to sixth form, all on a single campus. The primary phase ranks in the top 6% of schools in England; the secondary and sixth form deliver solid results with notably strong progress measures. Rated Good by Ofsted in November 2023, this is a school that has found its rhythm: purposeful, inclusive, and ambitious without being pressurised.

The school's motto, Be Kind, Be Ready, Be the Best You, appears everywhere, from corridor displays to conversation. It is not merely decorative. Ofsted inspectors in 2023 described the atmosphere as "calm and harmonious" with "clear routines for behaviour throughout the school." Pupils were observed to be "articulate and polite" both with adults and one another.

Sophie Francis leads the school as Headteacher, steering an institution that serves families from across Bradley Stoke and the surrounding area. The community feel is genuine; siblings are placed together in colour team groups for enrichment activities, and parent volunteers regularly run after-school clubs for a term at a time.

The campus itself reflects the school's 2005 origins: modern, functional, and designed for purpose. The post-16 centre, added in September 2010, occupies a bespoke building with state-of-the-art facilities including a TV studio, dance studio with sprung wooden floor and mirror walls, and pioneering music technology equipment. This Performing Arts specialism, awarded in 2008, continues to shape the school's identity.

Bradley Stoke Community School is a founding member of the Olympus Academy Trust, established in 2012. The trust now comprises nine schools across South Gloucestershire, enabling curriculum collaboration and shared professional development while allowing each school to retain its individual character.

Primary Phase

The primary phase delivers exceptional outcomes. In 2024, 86% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 44% achieved greater depth across all three subjects, against an England average of just 8%.

Individual subject performance is consistently strong. The reading scaled score of 108 and mathematics scaled score of 110 both exceed England averages. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling (GPS) scaled scores reached 110, with 52% achieving higher scores in this area.

Bradley Stoke ranks 838th in England for primary outcomes, placing it in the top 6% of primaries in England (FindMySchool ranking). Within the Bristol local area, the school sits 6th out of all ranked primaries, a position that reflects both the quality of teaching and the high expectations that begin in Reception.

Secondary Phase (GCSE)

At GCSE, the picture is solid if less exceptional than the primary phase. The Attainment 8 score of 51.1 sits above the England average. The school ranks 1,710th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in line with the middle 35% of schools in England. Locally, it sits 22nd among Bristol-area secondaries.

The headline figures from 2025 show 66% of students achieved grade 4 or above in both English and mathematics, with 54% at grade 5 or above. Over 27% of all grades were at 9 to 7, 5% above the England figure.

Progress 8 tells a more encouraging story. At +0.34, pupils make well above average progress from their Key Stage 2 starting points. This indicates that the school is adding significant value, taking pupils further than their primary attainment would predict.

Sixth Form (A-Level)

The sixth form caters for over 220 students in its purpose-built centre. A-level results in 2025 showed 19% of grades at A* to A and 47% at A* to B. The school ranks 873rd in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), sitting comfortably within the middle 35% of sixth forms in England.

Vocational courses perform well, with the average grade at Distinction minus in 2025. The school notes this cohort made "some of the strongest progress from GCSE to A Level at the school in recent years."

Teachers have strong subject knowledge, as the 2023 Ofsted inspection confirmed. The curriculum is ambitious, and the recent transition from a three-year to two-year Key Stage 4 model represents the kind of ongoing refinement that characterises a school willing to adapt.

Reading sits at the heart of the curriculum across all phases. The inspection found that "at all stages, pupils who need help to improve their reading get effective support." Older pupils engage with texts that "help them to understand varied aspects of modern society," an approach that develops both literacy and cultural awareness.

The Accelerated Reader programme tracks progress through the primary and lower secondary phases, while tutor-led reading sessions ensure that reading remains a whole-school priority. The emphasis on phonics pays dividends: 87% passed the Year 1 phonics screening check in 2025, against a national average of 79%.

Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities are well supported. The school's inclusive ethos means that differentiation is embedded rather than bolted on, with staff trained to identify and address barriers to learning.

Enrichment and Extracurricular

Every Thursday from 2:55pm to 3:35pm, the entire primary phase participates in enrichment sessions. The variety is impressive: Choir, Coding Club, Karate, Book Club, Art Club, Gardening Club, Football, Multi-sports, Dance, Drumming, and Yoga all feature on the current roster. Three themed enrichment days each year bring pupils from different year groups together for collaborative projects.

The secondary phase extends these opportunities further. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme runs through Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. Mental health ambassadors, school council members, and tutor captains take on leadership responsibilities that prepare them for life beyond school.

The Performing Arts specialism awarded in 2008 continues to shape extracurricular life. The Main Hall provides auditorium seating for 122, with capacity for 250 for larger productions. The Dance Studio, with its sprung wooden floor and wall-to-wall mirrors, hosts everything from ballet to martial arts. The Drama Studio features surround-sound speakers and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Sport

The sports facilities match the performing arts provision in quality and ambition. The floodlit multi-use games area features a newly resurfaced acrylic surface suitable for netball and tennis. A 2G sand-filled all-weather pitch with floodlights accommodates football and hockey through the darker months. The sports hall supports badminton, indoor netball, basketball, and table tennis.

Outside, the playing fields host full-size football pitches in various configurations (11v11, 9v9, 7v7) during winter, transitioning to cricket, rounders, and softball in summer. The Y8 Olympus Cup in July 2025 saw Bradley Stoke triumph over other trust schools, evidence of competitive standards across the age range.

STEM

As a recognised STEM centre, the school delivers outstanding provision across the sciences. State-of-the-art laboratories support biology, chemistry, and physics teaching from Key Stage 3 through A-level. Applied Science and Core Mathematics have been added at AS level, broadening the post-16 offer.

Computing runs across both academic and vocational programmes, with the IT infrastructure throughout the school reflecting the investment made in this area. The pioneering Music Technology equipment in the post-16 centre bridges STEM and creative disciplines.

After Year 6

The vast majority of primary pupils transition seamlessly into the secondary phase on the same campus. This continuity removes the anxiety that often accompanies the move to secondary school, with staff already familiar with each child's strengths and areas for development.

After Year 11

Most Year 11 students progress into the school's own sixth form or to local colleges. The four main college options named by the school are SGS, City of Bristol, Stroud, and Hartpury. Major local employers offering apprenticeships include Airbus, Rolls Royce, Royal Mail, GKN, and the MOD.

After Sixth Form

In 2024, 67 Year 13 students progressed to university, with 31 entering employment or apprenticeships. A further 25 took gap years, and 7 continued into further education. The school reports students gaining places at Russell Group universities and higher or degree apprenticeships with organisations including CACI Information Intelligence Group, Skanska UK PLC, and BAE.

According to DfE data, 56% of the 2023/24 cohort (101 students) progressed to university, with 6% starting apprenticeships and 23% entering employment directly.

Reception Entry

The primary phase is significantly oversubscribed. In 2024, 141 applications competed for 29 places, a ratio of nearly 5 to 1. South Gloucestershire Council coordinates admissions, with applications submitted through their common application form.

Open events for September 2026 entry typically run in the autumn term. Headteacher Sophie Francis leads the sessions, followed by a brief tour. Booking is required; families should check the school website for specific dates.

Year 7 Entry

Secondary admissions are also competitive but less acute than Reception. In 2024, 428 applications competed for 151 places, approximately 2.8 applications per place. The proportion of first preferences to first preference offers stood at 1.12, indicating most families who place Bradley Stoke first secure a place.

South Gloucestershire Council again coordinates the process. The deadline for September 2026 entry is 31st October 2025.

Sixth Form Entry

The sixth form welcomes both internal and external applicants. Level 3 courses (A-levels and Level 3 vocational qualifications) require at least a grade 4 at GCSE, with most subjects requiring a grade 5 in the relevant discipline. Mathematics, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, and Computer Science typically require a grade 6.

Post-16 Open Evenings typically take place in November; families should contact the school or check the website for specific 2026 entry dates. There is no compulsory entrance exam.

Students typically study three subjects, with guidance available through Unifrog and UCAS for those considering university applications. The sixth form maintains strong retention rates, with 93 to 95% of Year 12 students progressing to Year 13 in recent cohorts.

Pupils feel safe and know they are valued, according to the 2023 Ofsted inspection. The school helps pupils feel that "they belong as part of the community." Trust is central: pupils "trust staff to help them if they are experiencing difficulties."

The vertical tutoring house system creates mixed-age tutor groups where older students support younger ones. Mental health ambassadors, trained among the student body, provide peer support. A dedicated Online Safety Hub offers resources for families navigating digital challenges.

The primary phase benefits from Shine, the wraparound care provider offering before and after-school provision. This practical support enables working families to access the school without logistical compromise.

Safeguarding arrangements are robust, with trauma-informed approaches embedded in staff practice. The emphasis on character education, including explicit teaching of British Values through the PSHE curriculum, develops the personal qualities that support wellbeing beyond school.

The school day begins at 8:45am for primary pupils and 8:30am for secondary students. The primary phase finishes at 3:15pm; secondary students finish at 3:00pm, with Thursday enrichment extending to 3:35pm for primary pupils.

Shine provides wraparound care for primary families requiring extended hours. The service operates before and after school; specific times and costs are available directly from Shine.

The campus sits on Fiddlers Wood Lane in Bradley Stoke, BS32 9BS. The location offers reasonable public transport links to central Bristol, though many families arrive by car given the suburban setting. The school's facilities are available for community hire on weekday evenings and weekends.

Competition for Reception places. With nearly five applications for every Reception place, families cannot assume admission. The primary phase's strong reputation drives demand that exceeds capacity. Families should have alternatives in mind.

Curriculum alignment in progress. The 2023 Ofsted inspection noted the school is still fully embedding curriculum changes, including the shift from a three-year to two-year Key Stage 4 and alignment across the Olympus Academy Trust. This work is ongoing; families may notice adjustments as the process continues.

GCSE results trail primary performance. The primary phase ranks in the top 6% in England; the secondary phase sits around the middle nationally. The strong Progress 8 score (+0.34) indicates pupils are making good progress, but families expecting primary excellence to translate directly into exceptional GCSE results should calibrate their expectations.

Sixth form is mid-table. A-level results are solid but not outstanding. Families seeking the highest academic rigour at post-16 may wish to compare with selective sixth forms or colleges in the Bristol area.

Bradley Stoke Community School offers something increasingly rare: a coherent educational journey from age 4 to 18 on a single campus, with strong pastoral care and genuine community spirit. The primary phase is exceptional by any measure; the secondary and sixth form phases add value through teaching that takes pupils further than their starting points would predict.

Best suited to families in Bradley Stoke and the surrounding area who want continuity, inclusivity, and a school that knows their child across fourteen years of education. The all-through model eliminates transition anxiety and allows relationships to develop over time.

The main hurdle is securing a place at Reception; Year 7 and sixth form entry are competitive but more achievable. For families who value progress over raw attainment, community over pressure, and breadth over specialism, this is a school that delivers.