E-Act Montpelier High School Review 2026: Academic Strength in a New Era

Located on Cheltenham Road in the vibrant heart of Bristol, E-Act Montpelier High School is an institution navigating significant evolution. While the red-brick Victorian buildings speak to a history dating back to 1891, the school is currently redefining itself following a transfer to the E-ACT multi-academy trust in September 2024. Despite recent regulatory challenges regarding safeguarding and leadership at its predecessor school, the academic core remains resilient. The school continues to deliver outcomes well above the England average, particularly at GCSE, where students consistently outperform expectations. It serves 925 girls aged 11-16, with a co-educational Sixth Form (V6) operated in partnership with Fairfield High School.

The physical setting is impressive, dominated by the Grade II listed main building that anchors the site. Inside, the atmosphere is a blend of traditional grammar-school architecture and the bustling energy of a modern comprehensive. The student body reflects the diversity of central Bristol, creating a genuinely inclusive social environment.

The school has undergone profound changes in identity, shedding its historic name (Colston’s Girls’ School) in 2020 and joining E-ACT more recently. This transition marks a "fresh start" aimed at addressing the operational weaknesses identified by inspectors in 2022. The new leadership, led by Headteacher Vanetta Spence, has focused on embedding robust safeguarding cultures while maintaining the school's hallmark academic rigour. The ethos is shifting towards the E-ACT values of "Be Kind, Work Hard, Have Courage," though the palpable ambition of the students remains the school's most defining feature.

Despite administrative turbulence, academic performance remains a clear strength. In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.57. This impressive metric indicates that students achieve, on average, more than half a grade higher across all subjects than students of similar ability in England.

Attainment is similarly strong. The average Attainment 8 score stood at 57.2, significantly above the England average of 45.9. The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) average point score of 5.29 further demonstrates that students succeed in core academic subjects, not just vocational fillers. Ranking 21st in Bristol for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school demonstrates consistent upper-tier performance.

The curriculum retains a scholarly flavour, with a strong uptake in EBacc subjects. Over 33% of students achieved a strong pass (Grade 5 or above) in the full EBacc suite, compared to significantly lower local averages. Teaching is subject-specialist and ambitious, particularly in humanities and languages.

The classroom culture is focused. Students are accustomed to high expectations, and the "Inadequate" judgment regarding leadership at the predecessor school has not seemingly dampened classroom enthusiasm. Lessons are structured, and the transition to E-ACT has introduced new standardised approaches to teaching and learning designed to ensure consistency across the faculty.

The V6 Sixth Form, a collaboration with nearby Fairfield High School, offers a co-educational environment for Years 12 and 13. In 2024, A-level results placed the provision in the "national typical" band, with 47% of grades at A*-B. While this is solid, it does not quite match the stellar progress seen at GCSE.

The Sixth Form is a reliable pathway to university. In 2024, the majority of leavers progressed to higher education. Oxbridge success is present; notably, students have recently secured places at Cambridge to read English and Computer Science.

Entry to Year 7 is coordinated by Bristol City Council. The school is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent intake, there were 296 applications for just 150 places, resulting in nearly two applicants for every seat.

Admissions criteria have evolved to prioritise inclusivity. While the historic "foreign language" aptitude places and sibling criteria have played a role, families should check the exact 2026 policy on the school website, as E-ACT may align arrangements with standard trust protocols. Applications must be submitted by the national deadline of 31 October.

This area has been the focus of intense scrutiny and rapid improvement. Following the 2022 inspection of the predecessor school which identified safeguarding failures, the new academy has overhauled its systems. Under the new trust, pastoral support is structured around year groups with dedicated non-teaching support staff.

The aim is to ensure every girl feels safe and heard. The "Venturers Voice" student council has been a key mechanism for students to express their views on the school's culture. Families will find a stricter, more formalised approach to behaviour and attendance as the new leadership embeds its expectations.

Extracurricular life is vibrant, leveraging the school's central location. The "Period 6" enrichment programme offers activities ranging from debate and drama to coding and choir.

STEM

Innovation is a growing focus. The school encourages girls to pursue sciences, supported by links with local aerospace and engineering firms in Bristol. Robotics and maths challenges are regular fixtures.

Sports facilities are constrained by the urban site, but the school makes effective use of off-site facilities for fixtures. The House system fosters friendly competition in sport and the arts, maintaining a sense of community within the larger school.

The school is located on Cheltenham Road (A38), making it highly accessible by public transport from across Bristol. Montpelier train station is a short walk away, and numerous bus routes stop outside the gates. There is no on-site parking for parents. The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm, with enrichment activities extending until 4:15pm.

Ofsted History: The predecessor school was rated Inadequate in 2022 due to safeguarding and leadership concerns. The school has since transferred to E-ACT (September 2024) to address these issues. Families are choosing the school based on its academic track record and the "fresh start" promise, rather than its historic inspection grade.

Urban Campus: The site is compact and busy, sitting on a major arterial road. While the buildings are historic, outdoor green space is limited compared to suburban schools.

Competitive Entry: With 1.97 applications per place, admission is not guaranteed. Families outside the immediate catchment or without sibling links should have realistic backup options.

E-Act Montpelier High School offers a compelling contradiction: it is a school with a troubled recent regulatory history that nevertheless delivers excellent academic progress for its students. The GCSE results are among the strongest in Bristol, suggesting that the classroom experience remains high-quality. Best suited to academically motivated girls who will thrive in a diverse, busy urban environment and whose families support the new trust's drive for rigorous standards. The main challenge is securing a place in this popular school.