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Balcarras School - Ofsted Report, Parent Reviews (2025)

Balcarras School
Balcarras School
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Leadership and management Outstanding
Achievement of pupils Outstanding
Quality of teaching Outstanding
Behaviour and safety of pupils Outstanding
Quick insights from ofsted Powered by AI

This insight was generated by AI, based on latest Ofsted report.

Academic Progress: Standards are high. They are well above national averages and continue to rise.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Students demonstrate outstanding behaviour in lessons and around the school. They want to be in lessons and to learn.
Qualifications and Training: Teachers are experts in their subjects.
Current Educational Practices: Teachers are helped to develop their teaching through the work of the teaching school.
Strengths and Challenges: Inspirational teaching combined with excellent individual encouragement.
Opportunities for Involvement: Heads of house get to know the families and gain their trust.
Communication: Effective communication with parents about their child's progress and school events.
Parent Satisfaction: Staff and parents returning the questionnaire are unanimous in their support of the school.
Handling Conflicts and Concerns: The school's procedures for dealing with poor behaviour work extremely well.
Actions for Quality Improvement: The school is always looking at ways to get even better.
Managing Bullying and Safety: Students are very safe in school. The procedures for rewarding good behaviour and dealing with poor behaviour work extremely well.
Promoting Welfare and Safety: The school nurtures and encourages positive relationships between everyone.
Extracurricular Offerings: Almost all students take part in at least one after school activity.
Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars: There is a pervasive culture of enjoying learning.
Outdoor Facilities: The school site is totally free of litter and there is no graffiti.
Career Counselling Services: Comprehensive procedures are in place to support students going on to university.
Preparation for Sixth Form: The sixth form is outstanding. The quality of teaching, leadership and what the school provides is exceptional.
Managing and Supporting SEND: Disabled students and those who have special educational needs have achieved significantly above the average for this group.
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About Us

Balcarras School is a top rated, Secondary, Co-Ed school located in Gloucestershire, South West.

It has 1422 students from age 11-18 yr with a student-teacher ratio of 17 : 1.

At this school, 78% of pupils achieved grade 5 or more at GCSE.

96.50% of pupils completing their main study programme.

This school rated Outstanding by recent Ofsted inspection.

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Balcarras School
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Phase of Education Secondary Secondary Secondary
Type Academies Academies Academies
Snobe grade
A
B-
A-
Ofset report Outstanding Good Outstanding
Age range 11-18 11-18 11-18
Gender Co-Ed Co-Ed Co-Ed
Student teacher ratio 17 - 16.1
Proficient Math - - -
Proficient Read - - -
Grade 5 or above GCSE 78% 98% 99%
Grade 5 or above A Level 15.90% 35.00% 60.40%
Day Fees - - -
See more details
Balcarras School Reviews
3 (4 reviews)
great fun, learnt so much. I big them up Mr.Hazel is an outstanding tutor and art teacher. School production is amazing 10/10
No knowledge of how to support young people with SEN needs relating to mental health, ADHD, ASD. Not a safe place to send a child.
Moved to Balcarras from other Cheltenham secondary school and have found the difference amazing. Outstanding academic provision and opportunities. Brilliant teaching staff. My child is now thriving.
School is more interested in box ticking and surface impressions than the health and welfare of pupils.
Secondary Exam Result

Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.

School scores School Description
Progress 8 score 0.70 This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4.
Attainment 8 score 60.2 Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications.

Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.

GCSE Results School LA England
Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 78% 34.75% 29.96%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 88% 48.12% 42.99%

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.

EBacc Results School LA England
Entering EBacc 60% 20.78% 25%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 32% 11.49% 10.88%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 43% 15.22% 15.47%
EBacc average points score 5.39 3.11 2.82

Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.

Pupil destinations School LA England
Pupils staying in education or employment 95% 87.92% 90.52%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 192 132 144
Pupils staying in education 92% 79.96% 84.15%
Further education college or other further education provider 9% 24.96% 32.75%
School sixth forms 64% 39.88% 29.73%
Sixth form colleges 18% 9.83% 10.22%
Other education destinations 2% 5.44% 11.48%
Pupils in apprenticeships 2% 3.31% 2.8%
Pupils staying in employment 2% 4.63% 3.59%

Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.

School scores School Description
Progress 8 score 0.68 This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4.
Attainment 8 score 62.9 Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications.

Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.

GCSE Results School LA England
Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 77% 38.22% 32.78%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 91% 50.3% 45.26%

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.

EBacc Results School LA England
Entering EBacc 59% 21.7% 24.88%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 47% 14.13% 12.99%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 54% 17.79% 17.14%
EBacc average points score 5.68 3.32 2.97

Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.

Pupil destinations School LA England
Pupils staying in education or employment 98% 93.07% 90.39%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 194 135 140
Pupils staying in education 96% 87.76% 86.27%
Further education college or other further education provider 12% 30.11% 34.03%
School sixth forms 74% 42.57% 30.75%
Sixth form colleges 10% 8.17% 10.38%
Other education destinations 1% 6.87% 11.13%
Pupils in apprenticeships 1% 2.72% 1.99%
Pupils staying in employment 1% 2.65% 2.15%

Exam Result Not Published

Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.

Exam Result Not Published

Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.

Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.

School scores School Description
Progress 8 score 0.82 This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4.
Attainment 8 score 61.1 Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications.

Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.

GCSE Results School LA England
Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 70% 7 35.72% 29.24%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 84% 50.93% 43.34%

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.

EBacc Results School LA England
Entering EBacc 71% 26.21% 25.76%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 44% 6 13.95% 11.44%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 55% 9 19.54% 16.45%
EBacc average points score 5.65 3.32 2.88

Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.

Pupil destinations School LA England
Pupils staying in education or employment 99% 95.1% 90.21%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 194 144 135
Pupils staying in education 96% 86.82% 84.08%
Further education college or other further education provider 7% 26.31% 33.3%
School sixth forms 74% 46.21% 31.15%
Sixth form colleges 12% 8.33% 8.45%
Other education destinations 2% 5.9% 11.19%
Pupils in apprenticeships 2% 5.03% 3.4%
Pupils staying in employment 1% 3.21% 2.76%

Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.

School scores School Description
Progress 8 score 0.33 This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4.
Attainment 8 score 56.2 Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications.

Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.

GCSE Results School LA England
Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 63% 15 37.51% 29.18%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 84% 9 52.32% 42.58%

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.

EBacc Results School LA England
Entering EBacc 67% 26.95% 24.69%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 38% 14 15.36% 11.29%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 46% 10 20.29% 15.97%
EBacc average points score 5.24 3.36 2.84

Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.

Pupil destinations School LA England
Pupils staying in education or employment 97% 85.7% 84.86%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 194 145 140
Pupils staying in education 94% 73.68% 73.88%
Further education college or other further education provider 12% 22.7% 28.32%
School sixth forms 73% 44.73% 31.51%
Sixth form colleges - 6.85% 9.07%
Other education destinations - 1.55% 5.94%
Pupils in apprenticeships - 3.78% 2.96%
Pupils staying in employment - 2.6% 2.06%

Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.

School scores School Description
Progress 8 score 0.6 This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4.
Attainment 8 score 60.2 Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications.

Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.

GCSE Results School LA England
Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 78% 37.33% 29.51%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 93% 52.02% 43.04%

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.

EBacc Results School LA England
Entering EBacc 71% 28% 25.21%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 52% 18.44% 14.68%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 56% 19.85% 16.23%
EBacc average points score - - -

Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.

Pupil destinations School LA England
Pupils staying in education or employment 95% 89.56% 85.23%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 198 151 144
Pupils staying in education - 58.87% 58.15%
Further education college or other further education provider - 28.46% 30.56%
School sixth forms 72% 45.67% 32.11%
Sixth form colleges 11% 6.56% 8.95%
Other education destinations - 1.62% 5.75%
Pupils in apprenticeships 3% 6.18% 4.78%
Pupils staying in employment - 3.23% 2.46%
A level exam result

Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.

A level Result School LA England
Average points 38.16 30.9 29.99
Average grade B- - -
Average points (Best 3) 38.45 31.28 29.55
Average Grade (Best 3) B - -
AAB or higher 15.90% 15.04% 13.64%

Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.

Students destinations School LA England
Number of students 195 194 201
Students staying in education 57% 53.62% 58.59%
Students entering apprenticeships 5% 6.62% 6.08%
Students entering employment 31% 28.38% 21.14%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study 5% 7.97% 9.05%

Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.

A level Result School LA England
Average points 41.96 37.31 33.4
Average grade B+ - -
Average points (Best 3) 42.11 34.79 32.48
Average Grade (Best 3) B+ - -
AAB or higher 21.3% 20.38% 17.69%

Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.

Students destinations School LA England
Number of students 180 218 248
Students staying in education 65% 52.75% 60.66%
Students entering apprenticeships 3% 6.54% 5%
Students entering employment 23% 26.64% 17.72%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study 7% 9.64% 10.7%

Exam Result Not Published

Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.

Exam Result Not Published

Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.

Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.

A level Result School LA England
Average points 37.96 32.68 29.38
Average grade B- - -
Average points (Best 3) 39.34 32.52 28.64
Average Grade (Best 3) B - -
AAB or higher 24.2% 16.01% 13.04%

Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.

Students destinations School LA England
Number of students 187 223 231
Students staying in education 68% 56% 57.28%
Students entering apprenticeships 3% 7.36% 7.78%
Students entering employment 21% 25.96% 20.99%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study 6% 6.56% 8.8%

Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.

A level Result School LA England
Average points 37.01 2 32.2 29.02
Average grade B- - -
Average points (Best 3) 39.07 32.47 28.82
Average Grade (Best 3) B - -
AAB or higher 23.5% 16.13% 13.34%

Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.

Students destinations School LA England
Number of students 3 7 3
Students staying in education 40 39.96% 31.48%
Students entering apprenticeships 6% 6.4% 5.54%
Students entering employment 23% 22.68% 15.8%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study 7% 3.44% 4.22%

Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.

A level Result School LA England
Average points 35.06 31.67 26.73
Average grade B- - -
Average points (Best 3) 39.98 33.06 27.74
Average Grade (Best 3) B - -
AAB or higher 20.0% 15.13% 12.63%

Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.

Students destinations School LA England
Number of students 4 9 3
Students staying in education 37 39.6% 36.22%
Students entering apprenticeships 3% 6.84% 6.37%
Students entering employment 23% 23.84% 20.04%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study 9% 4.16% 4.23%
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Balcarras School Rankings

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Holidays & terms

Holidays 2024/25

Holidays Date
Autumn Half Term Holidays 28th Oct 2024 - 1st Nov 2024
Winter Holidays 23rd Dec 2024 - 3rd Jan 2025
Spring Half Term Holidays 17th Feb 2025 - 21st Feb 2025
Spring Holidays 14th Apr 2025 - 25th Apr 2025
Summer Half Term Holidays 26th May 2025 - 30th May 2025
Summer Holidays 22nd Jul 2025 - 29th Aug 2025

Terms Dates 2024/25

Terms Dates
Autumn Term 2nd Sep 2024 - 27th Oct 2024
Autumn Term-2 2nd Nov 2024 - 22nd Dec 2024
Spring Term 4th Jan 2025 - 16th Feb 2025
Spring Term-2 22nd Feb 2025 - 13th Apr 2025
Summer Term 26th Apr 2025 - 25th May 2025
Summer Term-2 31st May 2025 - 21st Jul 2025
Students Teachers
17 : 1
Student teacher ratio at Balcarras School
Local authority ratio 17 : 1

Students

Teacher

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