Gordano School, Bristol

In its own words: "At Gordano we have a long-established reputation for success that has been based on hard work, high standards and support. We are proud of our comprehensive status and committed to the needs of all our learners, from the most academically able to those young people that need help and support with their learning."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Gordano Sixth Form - a vibrant and inclusive community committed to academic excellence, personal growth, and preparing every individual to thrive both within our community and in life beyond school. We take pride in our high-quality, dynamic teaching and offer a broad choice of over 30 courses, spanning A Levels and vocational qualifications."

Coming up: an open evening on Thursday 12 November 2026 at 5pm, an open evening on Thursday 19 November 2026 and an open evening on Monday 23 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Gordano School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 51.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.5 in North Somerset and 47 across England.

54% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 44% in North Somerset and 47% in England.

That is up from 49 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.02: pupils made about average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 37.6, against 53 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 15.4 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 27 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 266 families put Gordano School as their first choice and 350 named it as one of their preferences, for 296 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Gordano School are Nailsea School (3.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.6); Clevedon School (3.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 51.3); St Katherine's School (4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49.2); and Backwell School (4.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 52.6).

Gordano School's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Gordano School is one of 34 schools run by Lighthouse Schools Partnership, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 50.4 in 2024/25.

Of the 361 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 89% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 34% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 176 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 40% went on to university or other higher education, 4% to apprenticeships and 38% into work. 26% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

8.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 6.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 169 pupils (8.3%) received SEN support and 56 (2.8%) 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.

Gordano School has a SEN unit for autism: 25 places, 25 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Avonmouth Rail Station, about 3.5 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Gordano School (n-bound), 110 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Gordano School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Gordano School issued 187 suspensions, 8.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Gordano School are St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (0.3 miles), St Peter's Church of England Primary School (0.4 miles), High Down Junior School (0.8 miles) and High Down Infant School (0.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.