Backwell School

Since September 2025, Mr Will Penny, previously deputy head of Cheltenham Bourneside. Brought up in Somerset, Mr Penny completed a degree in geography from Liverpool and a PGCE from Bath before spending 14 years in teaching and pastoral roles at St

At year 7, 270 sought-after places up for grabs, mainly available to children living within the designated long, narrow and rural ‘first geographical area’ with the village of Backwell at its centre. Applications go through the local authority of

Just under half of students stay on for sixth form. More emphasis now placed on broader options than straight degree courses, eg apprenticeships such as prestigious BBC one, and specific information and guidance available for Russell Group

In 2025, 24 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 79 per cent 9-4 in both English and Maths. At A level, 22 per cent A*/A (53 per cent A*-B).

Longstanding local reputation for excellence is borne out in results. There's a particularly good showing in French, creative writing, media, photography and further maths at A level. Science results outstanding at GCSE, with food tech and maths not

Students with special needs are looked after by the educational support department. All newcomers are screened on entry into year 7, and anyone with an identified need and/or a reading/spelling age of less than 10 is given extra help, either in tutor

Masses of clubs both at lunchtime and after school tempt joiners and surely provide something for everyone – from the physical (running) to the fun (Bang! The junk orchestra) and philosophical (mindfulness). School also lays on an enrichment week

Sport/PE is compulsory right up to GCSE, whether a GCSE option or not, and is given five sessions per fortnight. Plenty on offer and not just ball sports, but there are firm lines of demarcation between girls’ and boys’ games: rugby for boys, netball

Tucked away down a lane in the pleasant village of Backwell, a few miles south west of Bristol, the school sits in the centre of its community, yet its size (over 1,700 strong) and reputation means it attracts families from miles around. Its original

The first port of call for any pastoral concerns is the student’s tutor, who has links to the pastoral team. School places significant emphasis on mental health and well-being; a trained counsellor is in school four days per week and runs drop-in

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Predominantly white, but school works hard to counter any lack of diversity by maintaining strong links with a school in Ethiopia and the Za Foundation from South Africa. Local families are content to have a school of this quality on the doorstep.

‘The number and scope of school trips make it expensive’, claimed one mother, who then conceded that there exists a fair system of subsidising hardship cases. Active PTA - Backwell School Association – lays on social events and fundraising.

Fortunate indeed are families with this school on their doorstep, combining academic endeavour with a rich extracurricular offering, both on and off site. The kind of place parents move to get their children into, and a credible counterweight to the