Ages 
Beechen Cliff is the holy grail for most parents - a good, honest local school that does its utmost to set pupils up for success in the next phase of life, whatever their background. Imbued with a sense of gentle tradition and many of the hallmarks of a private school (minus the fees), it provides a solid academic education enhanced by its impressive extracurricular and sport offering. Lucky locals could be forgiven for feeling rather smug.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,240 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 397 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day free; Boarding: £12,300 pa.
Headteacher
Headteacher
Mr T D Markall
Since 2021, Tim Markall. His roots are firmly in this part of the west country: he grew up in Nailsea (near Bristol); went to university in Bath (BSc in mathematics and statistics) and trained for his PGCE there too. Briefly left the city to complete
Entrance
A non-selective comprehensive of just over 1,200 (1240 currently), drawing boys from all over Bath and the wider area. In 2025, just over 350 applied for 162 places in year 7. Priority given to looked-after boys, followed by siblings, staff children
- Open days
- October
Exit
Just under 40 per cent leave post GCSEs with the majority heading to sixth form college, a small percentage taking up apprenticeships and a few awarded sports scholarships (such as with Southampton Football Club). Of those that stay for A levels,
Latest results
In 2025, 35 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 65 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English. At A level, 30 per cent A*/A (65 per cent A*-B).
Teaching & learning
Academic aims and standards are high at Beechen Cliff with the assistant head describing them as, ‘unashamedly academic.’ Evidence corroborates this. The school’s recent progress 8 score put them in the top 18 per cent nationally and, for English and
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Full time SENDco running a department that aims to provide equality of access and support to all students. Support is needs based; school does not insist that a pupil has an official diagnosis to receive help. However, if an assessment is necessary,
Arts & extracurricular
Art adorns the corridors (year 8’s Day of the Dead sgraffito paintings caught our eye) and the bright, airy studio too – Edward Munch inspired self-portraits were dangling from a washing line across the main room and the A level sketch work was
Sport
No question that Beechen is a sporty school with students and parents very happy with the provision, ‘It’s amazing. They try and get as many fixtures in as possible even with all the local private schools. Not only that, but we are beating them too!’
Boarders
The ‘boardies’ (as one poster cheerfully called them) make up a small part of the school - about 30 (boys) in total from years 8 to 13, with the majority being in the sixth form. Their living area is tucked away and perfectly pleasant but,
Ethos & heritage
The school began life in 1896 as Bath City Secondary School before moving to its current site in the 1930s and being renamed City of Bath Boys’ School. In 1970, it merged with another local boy’s school to become Beechen Cliff. It’s tucked away right
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Positive encouragement to do the right thing takes centre stage at Beechen. The newly introduced character development programme focuses on celebrating good behaviour which is rewarded with teenage friendly treats such as Amazon vouchers, skipping
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 We follow the MNSP Trust mobile devices policy. There is no need for pupils to bring a mobile phone to school. For those who do they must be switched off and in bags throughout the duration of the school day. If phones are seen they are confiscated until the end of the school day.
Pupils & parents
Fairly representative of Bath – British, white, middle-class with a minority on pupil premium. Predominately dual income, hardworking and aspirational parents who help cultivate the school’s purposeful, motivated atmosphere. Low EAL students (about
Money matters
- Fee information
- Day free; Boarding: £12,300 pa.
The last word
Beechen Cliff is the holy grail for most parents - a good, honest local school that does its utmost to set pupils up for success in the next phase of life, whatever their background. Imbued with a sense of gentle tradition and many of the hallmarks
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Good |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form provision | Good |
