Bedminster Down School, based in Bristol, provides secondary education, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.

Bedminster Down School currently has around 1029 pupils on roll, which is about 95% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 54.7% boys and 45.3% girls. Around 38.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 12.9%. Persistent absence is recorded at 39.2%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (74.8%). unclassified pupils make up about 12.5%

Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

Around 94% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (74%) , including 13% who stay in school sixth forms and 42% progressing to further education , while 13% enter apprenticeships .

School Information

Address: Donald Road, Bristol, BS13 7DQ
Website: http://www.bedminsterdown.org.uk
Telephone: 01173532800
School Type: Academy converter
Education phase: Secondary
Local authority: Bristol, City of
Headteacher / Principal: Mrs Louise Davies
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Non-selective
Unique reference: 138204

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 04/02/2025

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 11 - 16
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 1080
Number of Pupils: 1029
Number of Boys: 563
Number of Girls: 466

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 12.9% 4%
Persistent absence: 39.2% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British74.80%770
Unclassified12.50%129
Other White2.90%30
White and Black Caribbean2.30%24
African1.90%20
Other Mixed1.00%10
Pakistani0.80%8
Other (any other ethnic group)0.70%7
Other Asian0.70%7
Indian0.50%5
White and Asian0.40%4
Caribbean0.40%4
Other Black0.40%4
White and Black African0.30%3
Bangladeshi0.20%2
Chinese0.10%1
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.10%1
Irish0.00%0
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0

Education - Secondary

Progress 8 score

Progress 8: Below average (-0.43)
Of the 202 pupils at the end of key stage 4 in this school, 202 are included in this measure.
Progress 8 score (average over pupils)
School
-0.43
Town average
-0.02
Local authority average
-0.48
England average
-0.03
Entering EBacc
School
6%
Town average
28%
Local authority average
11%
England average
35%
Grade 5+ in English & maths GCSEs
School
31%
Town average
38%
Local authority average
26%
England average
41%
Attainment 8 score
School
39.3
Town average
43.8
Local authority average
34.1
England average
44.6
EBacc average point score
School
3.1
Town average
3.7
Local authority average
2.8
England average
3.9
Staying in education or employment
School
94%

Nearby Schools

Nursery

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Knowle West Early Years Centre
Leinster Avenue , Knowle BS4 1NN
3out of 4 1,986 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
Novers Hill Nursery School
Leinster Avenue , Novers Hill BS4 1NN
- not rated 2,031 yd Local authority nursery school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Hartcliffe Nursery School and Children's Centre
Hareclive Road , Hartcliffe BS13 0JW
- not rated 2,302 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Bedminster Down Junior School
Cheddar Grove , Bedminster Down BS13 7EN
- not rated 355 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Bedminster Down Infant School
Cheddar Grove , BS13 7EN
- not rated 355 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Cheddar Grove Primary School
Cheddar Grove , Bedminster Down BS13 7EN
3out of 4 463 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
Cheddar Grove Primary School
Cheddar Grove , Bedminster Down BS13 7EN
- not rated 463 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
St Peter's Church of England Primary School (VC)
Ellfield Close , Bishopsworth BS13 8EF
3out of 4 612 yd Voluntary controlled school Yes Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Bedminster Down School
Donald Road , Bedminster Down BS13 7DQ
- not rated 0 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School
Bedminster Down School
Donald Road , Bedminster Down BS13 7DQ
- not rated 0 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Withywood Community School
Molesworth Drive , Withywood BS13 9BL
- not rated 1,433 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Merrywood Girls' School
Downton Road , BS4 1QB
- not rated 2,023 yd Community school Not Applicable Girls More About School
Ashton Park School
Blackmoor's Lane , Bower Ashton BS3 2JL
3out of 4 2,381 yd Academy sponsor led No Mixed More About School

16 plus

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
South Bristol College
Marksbury Road , Bedminster BS3 5JL
- not rated 2,732 yd Further education Not Applicable Mixed More About School

All-through

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Merchants' Academy
Gatehouse Avenue , Withywood BS13 9AJ
- not rated 1,391 yd Academy sponsor led Yes Mixed More About School
E-Act Merchants' Academy
Gatehouse Avenue , Withywood BS13 9AJ
1out of 4 1,420 yd Academy sponsor led Yes Mixed More About School
Bridge Learning Campus
William Jessop Way , BS13 0RL
3out of 4 2,985 yd Academy sponsor led Yes Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Manor Wood School
139 Gatehouse Avenue , Bishopsworth BS13 9AB
- not rated 1,402 yd Other independent special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
E-Act Venturers' Academy
Withywood Road , Withywood BS13 9AX
2out of 4 1,637 yd Free schools special No Mixed More About School
Belgrave School
The Willows , 159 Four Acres BS13 8RA
- not rated 1,791 yd Other independent special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Courtlands Special School
Novers Road , Knowle BS4 1RA
- not rated 1,830 yd Community special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Courtlands Special School
Novers Road , Knowle BS4 1RA
- not rated 1,830 yd Community special school Not Applicable More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.