Ages 
In an area boasting great state secondary schools, parents feel this one has the edge pastorally and in the breadth of curriculum and extracurricular. Exceptionally friendly too. ‘What a waste of money that was,’ lamented a parent who’d sent her older child to a local private school and her younger child here – ‘This one is far better.’
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,464 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 338 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Gloucestershire County Council
Headteacher
Principal
Gareth Burton
Since September 2023, Gareth Burton. Many heads tell us they ‘fell into’ teaching but this one really did. A ‘northerner born and bred’ (Yorkshire), he got ‘pretty average GCSE results and nearly dropped out of sixth form college’ before applying to
Entrance
Over 400 apply for 225 year 7 places. They arrive from over 30 primaries (85 per cent from nine of them, the rest coming in ones and twos). Usual priority to looked-after children, then SEND, exceptional medical conditions, inside catchment with
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
A third leave after year 11, mostly for colleges including Stratford and Hartpury, plus some apprenticeships. The school used to lose a lot to the local grammars but higher achievers now tend to stay. Seventy per cent of sixth formers to university,
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2025, 18 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 51 per cent 9-5 in both English and maths. At A level, 25 per cent A*/A at A level (53 per cent A*-B).
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Exceptional breadth, with GCSEs in astronomy, dance, Latin, business and food tech, plus level 2 qualifications in I-media, marketing and enterprise, health and social care, music tech, and food and cookery (in addition to food tech GCSE). In sixth
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
- VRQ
Learning support & SEN
Twelve per cent of students are on the SEN register; 51 EHCPs. SEMH is the biggest area of growth; cognition and learning the biggest need overall. SENCo is also assistant principal (‘a massive advantage to have a voice on the SLT’), supported by
Arts & extracurricular
Good uptake for the 80+ clubs, especially in KS3 (including among pupil premium students, not always the case in other schools). ‘They’re great for making friends,’ parents told us. Alongside traditional options (sports most popular), there’s
Sport
Some feel the school is ‘really sporty’, others less so. But all commend the facilities including fitness suite, gymnasium, sports hall, tennis courts, all-weather pitch, netball courts and large green field – all in use during our visit. Football,
Ethos & heritage
One of the 50 oldest schools in the country, CCS was founded in 1440 as the legacy of local benefactors John Fereby, Sir Baptist Hicks and George Townsend. In 1927, it moved from its original location on the high street to its current, more
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Pastoral care is the backbone of the school. Form tutors move up the school with each class, and every year group has a non-teaching pastoral year leader overseen by a director of learning. There are two counsellors, and students can sign up to be
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Mobile phones and headphones should not be seen or heard on the school site. There are only three exceptions to this, which are as follows:
It is after the end of the school day (3:30pm). Students in any year group are allowed to use headphones in a lesson, providing the teacher has given permission to do so in that specific lesson for learning. Students in Year 12 and 13 are able to use phones and/or headphones in the Sixth Form block.
Any mobile phone/headphones used outside of the above expectations will be confiscated. Confiscated mobile phones/headphones will be handed back to students in person (first offence) or to their Parent/Carer (second offence or beyond) no earlier than 3:30pm on the day of confiscation.
Pupils & parents
We met vibrant, charming and good-humoured students. ‘A lovely environment where teenagers can be teenagers – all respectful, good fun,’ as one parent put it. Chipping Campden is among the 20 most affluent towns in the country, but 88 per cent of the
The last word
In an area boasting great state secondary schools, parents feel this one has the edge pastorally and in the breadth of curriculum and extracurricular. Exceptionally friendly too. ‘What a waste of money that was,’ lamented a parent who’d sent her
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection:
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
Full inspection: Outstanding
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Good |
