Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Mendip Hills, Churchill Academy & Sixth Form serves a wide rural and semi-rural catchment in North Somerset. While many state secondaries have narrowed their focus to core metrics, Churchill has steadfastly maintained its identity as a centre for the creative arts, leveraging its history as a specialist Arts College to offer facilities and opportunities often absent in the state sector.
The school accommodates over 1,500 students, including a thriving Sixth Form. The campus is a blend of mid-century architecture and modern additions, most notably the Dame Athene Donald Science Centre and the Alan Turing Business, Computing and Social Science block.
Under the leadership of Headteacher Chris Hildrew, appointed in 2016, the school champions a values-led approach centred on "Kindness, Curiosity, Determination". This ethos was validated by Ofsted in May 2025, when inspectors rated the school Good in all areas, noting the significant improvements made since the previous inspection.
The first impression upon arrival is one of space. The campus spreads out at the foot of the hills, feeling more like a college than a typical enclosed secondary school. This openness is reflected in the atmosphere, which strikes a balance between academic purpose and social development.
The House system—comprising Stuart, Tudor, Hanover, Windsor, and Lancaster—is the heartbeat of the school’s pastoral life. Unlike schools that group children strictly by age, Churchill uses vertical tutoring. A Year 7 pupil sits in a tutor group with older students up to Year 11, fostering mentorship and reducing the intimidation factor of joining a large secondary school.
The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
The academy’s specialist heritage is visible everywhere. The Performing Arts Centre is a professional-grade facility that hosts regular productions, and the sound of music practice is a constant feature of the school day. However, this is not an "arts school" in a niche sense; the investment in science facilities signals equal commitment to STEM subjects.
Students describe the environment as friendly but busy. With a large student body, movement times are energetic. The "Churchill Way" expectation system provides a clear framework for behaviour, which inspectors in 2025 noted resulted in a calm and orderly environment where students feel safe.
Churchill Academy consistently delivers solid academic outcomes that place it in the middle tier of schools in England, with pockets of exceptional performance.
In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 48.7, exceeding the England average of 45.9. This indicates that across eight key subjects, pupils here achieve roughly a third of a grade higher per subject than the national norm.
The Progress 8 score of -0.04 suggests that students make progress broadly in line with their peers across England from their starting points. Ranked 1,997th in England and 1st in Winscombe 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.
The percentage of pupils achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Mathematics consistently compares well with local averages, ensuring students have the requisite qualifications for post-16 study.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
41.05%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is broad and ambitious, resisting the trend to shorten Key Stage 3. Students study a full range of subjects in Years 7 to 9, including Drama, Music, and Art alongside the core EBacc subjects.
Teaching follows the "Churchill Teaching and Learning Framework", which emphasizes expert subject knowledge and clear explanation. In the Sixth Form, teaching is described as highly effective, with students demonstrating deep engagement and debate.
The school operates a two-week timetable. Grouping varies by subject; Mathematics sets students by ability from Year 7, while other subjects prefer mixed-ability teaching in the lower years to allow late developers to shine.
Support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is coordinated from the Learning Support Centre. The school has a higher-than-average proportion of students with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), reflecting its reputation for inclusive practice.
The Sixth Form is a significant strength, serving as both an academic powerhouse and a bridge to adulthood for nearly 300 students.
Ranked 1,481st in England and 2nd in Winscombe for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the Sixth Form delivers results that facilitate strong university progression. In 2024, 41% of grades were A*-B. While this is slightly below the England average of 47%, it represents solid achievement for a non-selective intake.
What sets the Sixth Form apart is the culture. Students have their own dedicated centre and study areas, but they are also expected to lead within the main school. They run House events, mentor younger pupils, and lead the Student Council. The "Core Programme" ensures that alongside A-levels, students engage with wider societal issues, cooking on a budget, and mental health awareness.
Destinations data reflects the diverse aspirations of the student body. In 2024, 42% of leavers progressed to university. The school has a structured support system for UCAS applications, including specific guidance for early applicants.
The "Churchill High Achievers Programme" supports students aiming for elite institutions. In the most recent cycle, 14 students applied to Oxbridge, with one securing a place at Cambridge.
Apprenticeships are a growing and respected route, with 5% of the cohort choosing this pathway in 2024. The school’s careers advice is robust, helping students secure placements with major local employers in aerospace, engineering, and creative industries. A further 38% of students moved directly into employment, often leveraging the school's strong local business links.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 7.1%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
0
Offers
Admission to Churchill Academy is coordinated by North Somerset Council. As a popular and successful school, it is regularly oversubscribed. For the 2024 entry, there were 333 applications for 240 places, resulting in 1.39 applications per place applications per place.
The school serves a specific "First Geographical Area" covering the villages of Churchill, Wrington, Congresbury, Banwell, Sandford, Winscombe, and surrounding hamlets. Living within these parishes is the primary criterion for entry after Looked After Children and siblings.
The oversubscription criteria prioritise:
Parents should note that living in the catchment does not guarantee a place if the year group is exceptionally full, though historically, most catchment children are accommodated.
Parents interested in Year 7 entry must apply via the North Somerset Common Application Form by 31 October. For Sixth Form, applications are made directly to the school, usually by early February.
Applications
333
Total received
Places Offered
240
Subscription Rate
1.4x
Apps per place
Pastoral care is delivered through the House system. Upon joining, every student is allocated to one of the five Houses and remains with that House family for seven years.
The vertical tutor groups mean that a Year 7 pupil sees their tutor twice a day in a group that includes older students. This structure dissolves age barriers; it is common to see Year 10s helping Year 7s with homework or advice.
Heads of House are non-teaching or reduced-timetable staff who have the capacity to deal with issues immediately. They are supported by a Student Services team that handles medical needs, attendance, and lost property.
The "Kindness" value is taken seriously. Anti-bullying ambassadors are trained to spot and support peers, and the school uses an online reporting tool, "Whisper", allowing students to report concerns anonymously.
The extracurricular offer at Churchill is extensive, justifying its reputation for education beyond the classroom.
The Arts are a major pillar of school life. The annual school musical involves over 100 students, not just on stage but in the orchestra, lighting, and sound crews. Recent productions have utilized the full capabilities of the Performing Arts Centre. Several choirs, a jazz band, and a symphony orchestra rehearse weekly.
Facilities include a Sports Centre with a four-court hall, a floodlit all-weather pitch, and extensive playing fields. Rugby, hockey, netball, and football are the core competitive sports, with teams fielding regular fixtures against state and independent schools.
The "Greenpower" electric car racing team is a standout feature. Students design, build, and race electric cars, competing at circuits like Castle Combe and Goodwood. This club combines engineering, project management, and teamwork. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is popular, with large cohorts completing Bronze and Silver awards, taking advantage of the nearby Mendip Hills for expeditions.
The school day begins at 8:45am and concludes at 3:05pm. The site is located on Churchill Green, a rural setting that requires most students to travel by bus or car.
North Somerset Council provides free transport for students living within the catchment area who reside more than three miles from the school. A network of commercial buses serves students travelling from outside the catchment, including Weston-super-Mare and the outskirts of Bristol.
The uniform consists of a navy blazer with the school crest, a House tie, and grey trousers or skirt. It is designed to be smart but affordable.
Rural Location: The school is not in a town centre. Students staying for after-school clubs must rely on parents for transport, as late buses are limited. This can be a logistical challenge for working families.
Size: With over 1,500 students, the school is large. While the House system breaks this down, quieter children will need to find their niche. The bustling corridors and open campus require a degree of robustness.
Admissions Pressure: The school is oversubscribed. Families moving into the area specifically for the school should verify they are within the First Geographical Area and check the likelihood of admission with the local authority, as proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.
Churchill Academy & Sixth Form offers a compelling alternative to the exam-factory model. It is a school that values the symphony orchestra as much as the science lab, and where kindness is treated as a core competence. With a Good rating from Ofsted (May 2025) confirming its upward trajectory, it is best suited to families in North Somerset who want a rounded, culturally rich education in a stunning rural setting. The main challenge is securing a place in this popular community hub.
Yes. Churchill Academy was rated Good in all areas by Ofsted in May 2025. Inspectors highlighted the high expectations, improved behaviour, and the broad opportunities available to students.
The school prioritises the "First Geographical Area", which includes the parishes of Churchill, Wrington, Congresbury, Banwell, Sandford, and Winscombe. Living in these villages gives high priority, but places are allocated based on specific criteria and oversubscription rules.
North Somerset Council provides free transport for catchment students living more than three miles away. Commercial bus services operate for students from Weston-super-Mare and other out-of-catchment areas, but these are paid services.
Applications for the Sixth Form are made directly to the school, typically via an online form on the school website. The deadline is usually in early January for the following September. External applicants are welcome and follow the same academic entry criteria as internal students.
General entry typically requires a minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including English and Mathematics. Most A-level subjects have specific grade requirements, often requiring a Grade 6 in the subject to be studied.
Get in touch with the school directly
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