Backwell Church of England Junior School, Bristol
Backwell Church of England Junior School is a primary school for pupils aged 7 to 11 in Bristol, part of Lighthouse Schools Partnership. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in March 2014. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in November 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 63rd-highest of the 198 schools in Bristol with published results, and 5,291st of 14,452 across England. It was 95% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2014)
- Capacity
- 95% full
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Backwell Church of England Junior School in detail
Results
In 2025, 84% of Year 6 pupils at Backwell Church of England Junior School reached the expected standard in reading and 78% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 75% in North Somerset and 77% and 75% across England.
Results were similar in 2024 (88% in reading, 71% in maths).
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Backwell Church of England Junior School
Across North Somerset, 97% of families were offered their first-choice primary school for 2026 entry, and 99% were offered one of the schools they named.
In 2026, families in North Somerset lodged 18 appeals against primary school offers; 14 reached a hearing and 2 succeeded (14.3% of those heard).
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Backwell Church of England Junior School are West Leigh Infant School (0.7 miles, Good); Flax Bourton Church of England Primary School (1.4 miles, Outstanding, 88% reading, 72% maths); St Francis Catholic Primary School (1.4 miles, 79% reading, 76% maths); and Golden Valley Primary School (1.7 miles, 88% reading, 92% maths).
Backwell Church of England Junior School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.
West Leigh Infant SchoolFlax Bourton Church of England Primary SchoolSt Francis Catholic Primary SchoolGolden Valley Primary School
The trust
Backwell Church of England Junior School is one of 34 schools run by Lighthouse Schools Partnership, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 67% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
What parents say
113 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Backwell Church of England Junior School (as of September 2025): 96% would recommend the school, 98% say their child is happy there and 73% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (98%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (73%).
Who goes there
3.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 11 pupils (4.8%) received SEN support and 6 (2.6%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Nailsea & Backwell Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.
1 bus stop is within a five-minute walk; the closest is Dark Lane (n-bound), 160 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Backwell Church of England Junior School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 14 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, bicycle theft and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in North Somerset (76).
Suspensions and exclusions
Backwell Church of England Junior School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Backwell Church of England Junior School are Backwell School (0.5 miles) and Nailsea School (1.7 miles).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from March 2014, 12 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's November 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The school creates a strong family atmosphere where pupils are proud to be part of their federation house teams. Teachers have excellent subject knowledge, particularly in English and mathematics, and provide caring individual support to help each child thrive. Pupils enjoy many enrichment activities from sports and music to community service and the unique Easter creative arts concert.
Key Strengths
- Strong teaching of reading and phonics with pupils becoming avid readers
- Pupils develop into capable mathematicians who tackle complex problems with confidence
- Comprehensive character education teaching pupils to be respectful, healthy and safe
- Effective support for pupils with special educational needs through visual schedules and structured routines
- Many opportunities for enrichment including music, sports, community service and residential visits
Areas for Improvement
- Some gaps in pupils' knowledge in a few subjects where curriculum depth is still being refined
- Occasional inconsistencies in safeguarding record-keeping and follow-up procedures
- Not all pupils with complex needs receive timely teaching adjustments to help them practise essential next-step knowledge
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, but the school has had minor inconsistencies in safeguarding practice and record-keeping which have been addressed during inspection.
Extracurricular Activities
Choir, library club, sports clubs, swimming galas, residential visit, science ambassadors, Easter creative arts concert, community charity events and fundraising
Backwell Church of England Junior School is rated Good across all areas. It was previously judged Outstanding and continues to maintain high standards with pupils achieving exceptionally well in reading and mathematics.
At a Glance
3.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
113 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 88% to 84% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 71% to 78% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 83% to 76% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
28.8
Avg class size
28.8
KS2
8
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Backwell Church of England Junior School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Backwell Church of England Junior School.
- Backwell Juniors ASCAt the school · Not yet graded
Term dates
Backwell Church of England Junior School is an academy, so it sets its own term dates: check the school's website. As a guide, see North Somerset's term dates for its community schools.
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Backwell Church of England Junior School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Backwell Church of England Junior School is in North Somerset; for families living there:
Apply to North Somerset for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in North Somerset is 5 (the median across 85 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
95%
Near capacity
228 pupils
240 places
12 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Bristol
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Bristol
Across North Somerset council
Places available
2,490
Applications
1,984
Got 1st preference
96.8%
Got preferred school
99.3%
All primary applications across North Somerset council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(2)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
11
SEN Support
6
EHC Plans
7.4%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
230
Total Pupils
120
Boys
110
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
11
Teachers
20.9:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£52,386
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£4,970
Per pupil
£1178k
Total funding
£15k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.5%
Overall absence
4.3%
Persistent absence
231
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Backwell Church of England Junior School
Questions parents ask about Backwell Church of England Junior School
What are SATs results like at Backwell Church of England Junior School?
Of the pupils at Backwell Church of England Junior School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 84% reached the expected standard in reading and 78% did so in maths.
What is Backwell Church of England Junior School's Ofsted rating?
Backwell Church of England Junior School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in March 2014, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Backwell Church of England Junior School?
No fixed boundary. When Backwell Church of England Junior School is oversubscribed, North Somerset allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Backwell Church of England Junior School?
Backwell Church of England Junior School was close to full in 2025, at 95% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at Backwell Church of England Junior School?
Classes at Backwell Church of England Junior School average 28.8 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Backwell Church of England Junior School?
Backwell Church of England Junior School has around 230 pupils on roll. 4% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Backwell Church of England Junior School?
3.5% of sessions were missed at Backwell Church of England Junior School in 2024/25. 4.3% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Backwell Church of England Junior School?
Apply through North Somerset's coordinated admissions process, naming Backwell Church of England Junior School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
Does Backwell Church of England Junior School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Backwell Juniors ASC (registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near Backwell Church of England Junior School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in North Somerset is 5 (the median across 85 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Backwell Church of England Junior School?
Backwell Church of England Junior School is at Church Lane, Backwell, Bristol, BS48 3JJ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)