The hardest schools to get into in South Gloucestershire
Secondary: 276 families put Downend School first in 2026 and 225 of them (82%) were offered a place.
Reception: 50 families put Hambrook Primary School first in 2026 and 28 of them (56%) were offered a place.
Every state school in South Gloucestershire with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Downend School · Bristol | 276 | 225 (82%) | 229 |
| 2 | Sir Bernard Lovell Academy · Bristol | 255 | 221 (87%) | 236 |
| 3 | Abbeywood Community School · Bristol | 244 | 219 (90%) | 223 |
| 4 | Bradley Stoke Community School · Bristol | 150 | 139 (93%) | 150 |
| 5 | Brimsham Green School · Bristol | 205 | 194 (95%) | 197 |
| 6 | Chipping Sodbury School · Bristol | 148 | 141 (95%) | 144 |
| 7 | Hanham Woods Academy · Bristol | 135 | 133 (99%) | 174 |
| 8 | The Castle School · Bristol | 235 | 235 (100%) | 256 |
| 9 | Winterbourne Academy · Bristol | 227 | 227 (100%) | 262 |
| 10 | Mangotsfield School · Bristol | 176 | 176 (100%) | 207 |
| 11 | Yate Academy · Yate | 124 | 124 (100%) | 135 |
| 12 | John Cabot Academy · Bristol | 103 | 103 (100%) | 149 |
| 13 | Patchway Community School · Almondsbury | 93 | 93 (100%) | 114 |
| 14 | King's Oak Academy · Bristol | 79 | 79 (100%) | 101 |
| 15 | Marlwood School · Bristol | 77 | 77 (100%) | 80 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in South Gloucestershire
What is the hardest school to get into in South Gloucestershire?
For secondary places, 276 families put Downend School first in 2026 and 225 of them (82%) were offered a place. For Reception, 50 families put Hambrook Primary School first and 28 of them (56%) were offered a place.
How many families in South Gloucestershire get their first-choice school?
89.4% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 92.8% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where South Gloucestershire published it in its admissions booklet.