Bishop Gore School, Swansea

Bishop Gore School is an English-medium school in Wales. Welsh schools are inspected by Estyn rather than Ofsted, and its latest report is published on Estyn's website.

It had 1296 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

27% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 7% have additional learning needs (21% in 2020/21); 15% are learning English as an additional language; and 46% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 73 pupils (Year 12) to 253 (Year 9).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,620 per pupil, against £5,139 in 2021-22. It carried forward £634k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its April 2023 inspection summarises Bishop Gore School like this:

"Bishop Gore School is a diverse and inclusive school where the well-being of pupils and staff is at the heart of its work. Leaders are united in their determination to keep everyone safe and to help all pupils, whatever their background, to succeed. Strong working relationships between teachers and pupils underpin effective teaching and learning at Bishop Gore School. There is a purposeful focus on developing the quality of teaching across the curriculum. In general, teachers use a variety of appropriate teaching methods to ensure that many pupils make secure progress. For example, they explain new concepts clearly and check how well pupils have understood them using a variety of assessment approaches before moving on with the learning. Where teaching is particularly effective, teachers plan engaging activities that develop pupils’ subject knowledge and skills well."

"However, where teaching is less successful, teachers’ expectations are too low, or they provide pupils with too much support, which hinders their ability to become independent learners. The school’s curriculum meets the needs of nearly all pupils who have access to a wide range of courses. Its curriculum reflects the diverse nature of the school. The school has made good progress in implementing Curriculum for Wales, focusing on skills and subject knowledge. This includes providing learning experiences that match the needs and aspirations of pupils. There are numerous opportunities for pupils to participate in extra-curricular activities, especially within the performing arts. The headteacher is clear about the direction she wants to take the school and this vision is understood and shared by all staff."

"Self-evaluation and planning for improvement arrangements focus securely on this aim. A wide array of professional learning opportunities support staff to meet the school’s strategic priorities. The school has made progress in changing approaches to teaching and learning. Staff work collaboratively and enthusiastically to improve their practice. However, self- evaluation does not always identify precisely enough what needs to be developed. This means that improvements have not been swift enough in a few areas."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Ensure that teaching provides a sufficiently high level of challenge for all pupils; (2) Refine self-evaluation so that it focuses on the impact of actions to precisely identify any aspects of teaching and learning that need improvement.

From the headteacher's welcome: "The blend of tradition with innovation is what makes Bishop Gore significantly different. Our commitment to raising standards for our pupils, whilst also serving our families and wider community to ensure that everyone feels that they belong, is always our main focus."

The nearest other state secondary schools to Bishop Gore School are Olchfa School (0.7 miles), Dylan Thomas Community School (1.3 miles), Pentrehafod School (2.6 miles) and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe (2.8 miles).

The nearest railway station is Swansea Rail Station, about 2.1 miles away in a straight line.

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bishop Gore Comprehensive, 80 metres away.