When choosing which primary or secondary school is best for your child, there are many factors to consider, but catchment areas play a very important role.
The catchment area for a particular school is the geographic area around the school where children that attend that school must live. Sometimes this means only accepting students living within walking distance of the school, while other times an entire town might qualify - but each situation varies by school and area!
Bristol offers several great schools to choose from, both private and state. The catchment areas for these schools are as follows:
Redland Green School
The Redland Green School catchment area includes Redland, Cotham, and Horfield parts. The school is a mixed-gender comprehensive with over 1,600 pupils on roll. It achieved an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted in 2016.
The most recent report from Ofsted states that Redland Green is a "very effective school that provides outstanding value for money" and that standards are consistently above average. The school offers GCSEs, BTECs, A-Levels, an apprenticeship programme, and other courses designed to suit the interests of every student. This includes programmes in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Design (STEAD), music technology, and media studies.
Redland Green pupils come from all over Bristol, but the catchment area primarily consists of Southmead residents (postcodes BS10-BS14). Twenty-five buses are operating to the school Monday-Friday, including services from Clifton and Cotham. The school has a catchment map on the website, displaying the precise boundary between each house and their corresponding postcodes.
Bristol Grammar School
The Bristol Grammar School catchment area includes a large part of the city, stretching from Hotwells in the south to Cotham in the north. The school is a selective boys' school with over 1,600 pupils on roll.
The most recent report from Ofsted states that Bristol Grammar School is "an outstanding school where academic success is combined with excellent personal development." The school offers IGCSEs, A-Levels, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). It also has excellent facilities for sport, music, and the arts. Admissions info can be found on the website.
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital
The Queen Elizabeth's Hospital catchment area includes Bristol's Bedminster, Bishopsworth, and Withywood parts. It achieved an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted in 2009.
The most recent report from Ofsted states that Queen Elizabeth's Hospital is an "outstanding school where students achieve excellent academic results and develop as individuals." The school offers GCSEs, A-Levels, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), and vocational courses. It also has excellent facilities for sport, music, and the arts.
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital pupils come from all over Bristol. Still, the catchment area primarily consists of residents living in Whitchurch (postcodes BS14-BS16), Southmead, Hartcliffe, Hengrove, Knowle West, Easton, St. George West (postcodes BS2-BS3), and Totterdown (postcodes BS4-BS8).
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol catchment area includes Bristol, stretching from Clifton in the south to Bishopston in the north.
The most recent report from Ofsted states that "students make outstanding progress and achievement at both undergraduate and postgraduate level is exceptional." The university offers Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees (and other courses) across many faculties: Arts & Humanities; Engineering; Environment, Health, and Social Care; Experimental Sciences; Law; Medicine and Dentistry; Science.
The University of Bristol is an international institution with students and staff from over 130 countries. It has a vast campus, which is a great facility to study. The university also has a catchment map on the website, displaying the precise boundary between each house and their corresponding postcodes.
The University of the West of England
The University of the West of England catchment area includes a large part of Bristol, stretching from Filton in the north to Bedminster in the south.
The most recent report from Ofsted states that "the quality of teaching across all subjects is excellent." The university offers Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees (and other courses) across many faculties: Arts; Business & Law; Creative Industries; Engineering & Environment; Health & Social Care; Humanities; Performing Arts.
The University of the West of England has campuses around Bristol: Frenchay, Glenside, Hartpury, and Stapleton. Each campus has its unique features and benefits for students. For example, the Frenchay campus is home to the world-renowned Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL). So, if you're looking for a university with a wide range of faculties and campuses across Bristol, the University of the West of England is a great choice.
University of Law campus
The University of Law's Bristol campus is a popular choice for higher education students.
It offers a range of professional qualifications and courses: LLB Law; GDL/CPE/LPC Law; BVC Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA); MSc Management; BA Business & Finance; MSci Physics with Medical Physics; and PGCE Education. It has excellent teaching facilities, and its international links mean that expanding your horizons isn't just an option – it's an expectation.
The University of Law's Bristol campus is on the edge of the city centre, close to Temple Meads station and Queens Road. It also benefits from close to many law firms and the local employment, business, and financial district.
Montpelier High School
Montpelier High School was rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted in their last inspection report, and it remains one of the most sought-after schools in Bristol.
The school is located on Cheltenham Road, only a few minutes’ walk from Montpelier train station, making it easy for children and parents to travel to and from on a daily basis. It’s an academy that caters to boys and girls aged 11-18, and offers an exceptionally high standard of education in preparation for further learning at university.
On average, 98% of pupils who attend the school go on to further education or stayed in employment after key stage 4, with 63% achieving grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs.
Ss Peter and Paul RC Primary School
Situated on Aberdeen Road, Ss Peter and Paul RC Primary School is a highly rated primary school that received the “outstanding” recommendation from Ofsted. The school is for boys and girls aged 4-11 years old, and has a capacity of 180 pupils.
The catchment area extends into Redland, Kingsdown, Tyndall’s Park and Clifton, and both Clifton Down and Redland train stations are within walking distance.
86% of pupils are expected to meet the expected level of reading, writing and maths, with the average score in maths and reading above the local authority average. It offers the perfect learning space for young children and ensures parents have the support of a well-run school that looks after their children’s educational needs.
St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School
You’ll find St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School close to the banks of the River Avon, its central city location and high calibre reputation ensuring it is always high up on the list of parents applying each year.
The secondary school is based in Somerset Square, catering to 11-18 year olds, covering GCSE, AS and A Level teaching. At its most recent Ofsted report it was awarded the ‘outstanding’ certificate, confirming the hard work and high standards it has continued to maintain over the years.
97% of students either went onto further education or stayed in employment and the school has an above average Attainment 8 score compared to the local and national average. English and Maths grade 5 results are also well above average, offering the ideal platform for teenagers to make the most of their education potential.