John Cabot Academy Review 2026: A Community Hub with Strong Progress

Standing in the Kingswood area of Bristol, John Cabot Academy (JCA) has established itself as a central pillar of the local community. As a founding member of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), the academy benefits from the resources and collaborative network of one of the region's most significant educational trusts. The school serves a diverse catchment, and its popularity is evident; admissions data indicates consistent oversubscription, with more than two applicants for every place in recent cycles.

The academy operates with a clear focus on progress. While raw attainment sits in line with national averages, the value-added scores tell a more compelling story. The most recent Progress 8 score of +0.44 indicates that students here achieve nearly half a grade higher across their subjects than peers of similar ability nationally. This suggests an environment where teaching adds measurable value, particularly for students who might otherwise coast in less rigorous settings.

The campus, opened in the 1990s and subsequently modernised, feels functional and purposeful rather than steeped in history. The architecture reflects its era: brick, glass, and open internal spaces designed to foster visibility and community. Unlike Victorian grammar schools with their hidden corners, JCA feels transparent. Leadership is visible, and the movement between lessons is managed with a focus on efficiency and punctuality.

Ms Kate Willis, who serves as Principal, leads the academy with a focus on "high expectations and high challenge." The school's ethos is built around the acronym PRIDE (Positivity, Resilience, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence). Visitors often note that this is not merely branding; the language of resilience and diversity features heavily in assemblies and tutor times. The student body reflects the changing demographic of Kingswood and East Bristol, creating a genuinely mixed community where different backgrounds integrate naturally.

Being part of the Cabot Learning Federation is central to the school's identity. It is not an island but a node in a larger network. This connection brings tangible benefits, from shared staff development days to trust-wide competitions and events. However, it also means the school operates within a very structured framework. Policies on behaviour, curriculum, and assessment are often aligned with the wider trust, creating a sense of corporate consistency that some families value for its clarity, while others may find it less flexible than a standalone school.

The academic picture at John Cabot Academy is defined by strong progress at GCSE, contrasting with a more challenging picture at Sixth Form.

GCSE Performance

In 2024, the academy’s performance in the key progress measure was impressive. A Progress 8 score of +0.44 is a significant achievement, placing the school well above the England average of -0.03. This metric is arguably the most important for parents, as it demonstrates that the school pushes students beyond their baseline projections.

In terms of raw grades, attainment is solid. The school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 50.8, exceeding the England average of 45.9. When it comes to the core subjects, 7.3% of pupils achieved the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) at grade 5 or above. While this figure appears modest, it must be viewed in the context of the school's curriculum choices and the prior attainment of the cohort.

Ranked 1,924th in England and 26th in Bristol for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school’s performance sits in the national typical band, reflecting solid performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Locally, it is a strong competitor among non-selective state schools, particularly given the high progress scores which often outstrip neighbours with higher raw attainment.

Post-16 Performance

The Sixth Form picture is different. The academy ranks 2,178th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the national lower band. In 2024, 29% of grades were A*-B, compared to the England average of 47%. Top grades were rare, with just over 2% of entries achieving A*.

Parents should interpret these figures with care. The Sixth Form at JCA is inclusive and offers a blend of academic and vocational courses. The cohort is often smaller and more mixed in ability than those at selective sixth form colleges or independent schools. For students pursuing vocational pathways or those who benefit from a smaller, more supportive sixth form environment, the provision may still be excellent despite the lower headline grades.

The curriculum at John Cabot Academy is described as "knowledge-rich," a pedagogical approach that emphasises the acquisition of core knowledge as the foundation for critical thinking. In practice, this means lessons are structured and sequential. In History, students do not just learn skills; they build a chronological mental map of the past. In Science, key concepts are revisited and deepened through "interleaving" to ensure retention.

Departments work collaboratively within the Cabot Learning Federation to design curricula. This ensures that the materials used in classrooms are often the product of subject specialists from across the trust, rather than an individual teacher planning in isolation. The benefit is consistency; a Year 8 Geography lesson on tectonic plates will likely be high-quality regardless of which teacher delivers it.

Reading is a significant priority. The "JCA Canon" exposes students to classic and contemporary literature during tutor times and English lessons. The school has invested in ensuring that literacy is not seen solely as the English department's responsibility but is supported across the curriculum. Parents of younger students often report that the transition to secondary school is managed well, with a focus on establishing good study habits early in Year 7.

The destinations of leavers reflect the diverse aspirations of the student body. In the most recent recorded cohort (2024 leavers), 39% progressed to university. While this is lower than the national average, it is balanced by a strong uptake of employment and apprenticeships.

Notable successes include students securing places at Russell Group universities, although the school does not publish a specific percentage for this. that 29% of leavers moved directly into employment, a figure significantly higher than the national norm, suggesting the school is effective at preparing students for the workplace. 5% secured apprenticeships, a route the school promotes actively alongside the university pathway.

In terms of Oxbridge, the school has a small but present pipeline. In the most recent cycle, two students applied to Cambridge, with one securing an offer and acceptance. While JCA is not a mass-producer of Oxbridge candidates, the published figures suggest that the pathway exists for the most able students who are driven to pursue it.

Admission to John Cabot Academy is coordinated by South Gloucestershire Council. The school is a popular choice for families in Kingswood and the surrounding areas of Bristol.

Demand and Criteria

The school is consistently oversubscribed. For the 2024 entry, there were 309 applications for a relatively small intake, resulting in a subscription proportion of 2.19 applications per place. This level of demand means that meeting the basic criteria does not guarantee a seat.

After the mandatory allocation of places to Looked After Children and those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school, priority is given to:

1. Siblings of current students.
2. Children of staff.
3. Geographical distance (straight-line distance from the academy).

Catchment Reality

There is no fixed catchment map. Instead, the "catchment" is effectively a dynamic circle that shrinks or expands based on the number of siblings and the location of applicants in any given year. Families living within walking distance (typically under a mile) are usually safe, but those on the fringes of Kingswood should always place a backup option on their Common Application Form.

Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

The pastoral system is organised horizontally by year group, with a dedicated Head of Year and non-teaching Pastoral Leaders supporting each cohort. This structure allows the pastoral team to focus on the specific developmental challenges of each age group, transition in Year 7, options choices in Year 9, and exam pressure in Year 11.

The "Hub" provides a central space for student support, including wellbeing interventions and mentoring. Safeguarding is robust, as noted in the 2024 Ofsted report, which highlighted the culture of vigilance. Students report feeling safe, although, as in any large secondary school, peer conflicts occur. The school uses a clear behaviour policy that emphasises restorative conversations alongside sanctions.

The CLF connection adds another layer of support. The trust employs educational psychologists and attendance officers who work across its schools, providing specialist input that a standalone school might struggle to fund.

Extracurricular life at JCA is vibrant, aiming to broaden horizons beyond the standard curriculum. The academy runs a "Period 6" programme, offering enrichment activities after the formal school day ends.

Sport and Active Life

The sports facilities are well-used. The large sports hall and outdoor courts host fixtures in netball, basketball, and football. The academy competes in local leagues against other Bristol schools. The focus is on participation as much as elite performance, with clubs like badminton and table tennis offering competitive outlets for non-team sports players.

Creativity and Culture

The Arts are given space to breathe. The annual school production is a major calendar event, involving dozens of students in acting, lighting, and stage management roles. Music tuition is available for a range of instruments, and the school choir performs at federation-wide events, including the CLF Christmas concert at venues like the Bristol Beacon.

STEM and Academic Societies

For students with academic passions, the Eco Club has been active in promoting sustainability on campus. The "Debate Mate" club has seen success in regional competitions, helping students develop oracy and confidence. The connection with the Cabot Learning Federation also opens doors to trust-wide events such as the CLF Big Project, where students collaborate on science and engineering challenges.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Parents are responsible for the cost of uniforms, sports kit, and optional trips.

The school day typically begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm, though enrichment activities extend this. The site is located on Woodside Road in Kingswood. Transport links are reasonable, with several bus routes serving the Kingswood area, though the school does not operate its own private bus service. Most students walk or use public transport.

Uniform is strictly enforced, consisting of a blazer with the academy logo, tie, and tailored trousers or skirt. The school emphasises smart presentation as preparation for professional life.

Sixth Form Outcomes: While GCSE progress is excellent, the Sixth Form results are statistically lower than national averages for top grades. Families with children aiming for highly competitive university courses (Medicine, Dentistry, pure Sciences at elite institutions) should investigate the specific A-level support and recent destinations for those subjects carefully. The sixth form is inclusive and supportive, but the published figures suggest it is not an "exam factory" for A* grades.

Oversubscription Risk: The school is popular. Families moving into the area mid-year or living on the edge of Kingswood should not assume a place is guaranteed. The subscription ratio of over 2:1 means that appeals are common and rarely successful without significant grounds.

Strict Policy Framework: As a large academy in a major trust, JCA relies on consistent policies. The behaviour policy, uniform rules, and homework expectations are applied strictly. This suits children who thrive on clear boundaries but can feel inflexible to families used to a more bespoke approach.

John Cabot Academy is a high-performing engine of social mobility in East Bristol. It excels at taking students of all abilities and helping them make progress significantly above the national average at GCSE. The environment is modern, structured, and clearly focused on the "PRIDE" values. Best suited to families in the Kingswood area seeking a rigorous, well-managed state education where their child will be pushed to improve, regardless of their starting point. The main challenge is securing a place in Year 7.