Parkside School, Bradford

In its own words: "Our Coaching programme is at the heart of our school, providing every student with a dedicated adult mentor for ongoing guidance and support. We focus on building a strong school community and fostering a sense of belonging, while also strengthening home-school relationships ."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Parkside School. I am extremely privileged to hold the role of Principal; Parkside School is an exciting place to be and there is much to celebrate and look forward to."

In 2026, pupils at Parkside School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 36.4, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 42.6 in Bradford and 47 across England.

22% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 40% in Bradford and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 36.7.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.86: pupils made well below 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 27.3, against 39.3 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 12 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Art and Design.

For September 2026 entry, 132 families put Parkside School as their first choice and 406 named it as one of their preferences, for 199 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 Parkside School are Beckfoot Oakbank (2.3 miles, Inadequate, Attainment 8 37.7); Bingley Grammar School (2.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45.6); Beckfoot School (2.8 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 51.5); and Dixons Cottingley Academy (3.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44.5).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Parkside School.

Parkside School is one of 33 schools run by Wellspring Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 202 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 75% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 47% to a further education college, 11% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

Of the 56 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 55% went on to university or other higher education, 7% to apprenticeships and 20% into work. 9% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

1.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (88%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 236 pupils (22.2%) received SEN support and 66 (6.2%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Parkside School has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs and autism: 24 places, 24 pupils on roll.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Damems (Keighley & Worth Valley Railway), about 1.8 miles away in a straight line.

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Parkside School, 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 28 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Bradford (404).

In 2024/25, Parkside School issued 828 suspensions, 75.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Parkside School are Cullingworth Village Primary School (0.4 miles), Harden Primary School (1.2 miles), Wilsden Primary School (1.4 miles) and Denholme Primary School (1.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.