Bishopston Comprehensive School, Swansea

Bishopston Comprehensive 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 1126 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 7% have additional learning needs (18% in 2020/21); 2% are learning English as an additional language; and 12% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 220 pupils (Year 7) to 233 (Year 9).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,471 per pupil, against £5,054 in 2021-22. It carried forward £287k of reserves at the end of 2024-25.

Estyn's report on its May 2025 inspection summarises Bishopston Comprehensive School like this:

"High quality teaching is a notable strength of Bishopston Comprehensive School, and this fosters strong pupil engagement, exemplary behaviour and consistent progress. Most pupils are enthusiastic learners and collaborate effectively with one another in a supportive manner to enhance their learning. They embrace the school ethos that it is ‘cool to do well in school’. A key strength is the collaborative development of a curriculum that successfully promotes literacy, numeracy, digital and wider skills. Intervention strategies support pupils with weaker skills effectively. Generally, pupils demonstrate mature verbal communication, apply an array of reading strategies well and produce extended written work for a range of audiences and purposes. Numeracy is well developed, with many pupils solving a range of problems that involve fractions, percentages and ratios successfully."

"Digital competency is strong, with pupils using technology to enhance their learning across the curriculum. Creativity is nurtured in lessons and through varied, engaging activities, including festivals and inter-generational projects. This is a notable strength. The development of Welsh language skills is supported well during Welsh lessons but opportunities to use Welsh around the school are limited. The school provides a broad, balanced curriculum, with strong pastoral support and an effectively planned and responsive personal and social education programme. Enrichment opportunities and community partnerships enhance learning and pupil well-being. Pupil leadership is a priority, with wide representation in decision-making roles."

"Support for pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) is a notable strength, with effective identification, tailored teaching, and targeted interventions. The Specialist Teaching Facility (STF) offers a nurturing environment. Pupil attendance has improved as a result of working alongside stakeholders. Despite this, attendance remains below pre-pandemic levels and needs further improvement. Leaders are ambitious and inclusive and pupil and staff well-being are prioritised. The robust systems for self-evaluation, improvement planning and professional development ensure that there is a strong culture of collaboration and accountability. Governors provide effective support and challenge, and financial planning is well aligned with school priorities."

Estyn made 2 recommendations: (1) Continue to improve attendance; (2) Increase the use of the Welsh language outside of Welsh lessons.

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a pleasure to warmly welcome you to Bishopston Comprehensive School."

The nearest other state secondary schools to Bishopston Comprehensive School are Olchfa School (3.1 miles), Bishop Gore School (3.4 miles), Gowerton School (4.1 miles) and Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr (4.4 miles).

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Bishopston Comprehensive School.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bishopston Comprehensive School (in), 90 metres away.