Balcarras School

A outstanding academy converter school in Gloucestershire. Explore Ofsted ratings, admissions information, and performance data for Balcarras School.

Cheltenham, GL538QF Ofsted: Outstanding Age 11-18 Mixed intake
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Performance Score

Overall school rating

68

/ 100

Secondary with Sixth Form weighted harmonic mean of 5 indicators

Indicators used for Secondary with Sixth Form schools

Progress 8 score
72.6
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 0.83
English & Maths grade 4+ %
70.3
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 89.4%
Continue in education or training
56.2
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 62.0%
Sustained employment
57.9
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 28.0%
Ofsted inspection outcome
100.0
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: Outstanding

How we weight each phase

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Primary schools

  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 40.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Secondary schools

  • Progress 8 score 40.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

All-through schools

  • Progress 8 score 25.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 15.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Secondary with Sixth Form schools

  • Progress 8 score 20.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • Continue in education or training 20.0%
  • Sustained employment 20.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Sixth Form Only schools

  • Continue in education or training 40.0%
  • Sustained employment 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Special schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Alternative Provision schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Independent schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Ofsted Inspection

Official inspection outcomes

Outstanding
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Last inspected
20 May 2014
Previous grade
Outstanding
Quality of education
9
Behaviour & attitudes
9
Personal development
9
Leadership & management
Outstanding
Safeguarding
9

Source: Ofsted inspection outcomes. Grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate.

Contact Information

How to reach this school

Source: GIAS
Address
East End Road
Charlton Kings
Cheltenham, GL538QF
Phone
1242515881
Website
balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk/

Location

Find the school on the map

Source: Geocoding
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School Information

Basic details and characteristics

Source: GIAS
URN
136474
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Secondary with Sixth Form
Address
East End Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL53 8QF
Website
http://www.balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk/
Age range
11-18
Gender
Mixed
School status
Open
Trust/MAT
THE BALCARRAS TRUST
Capacity
1,359 pupils
Setting
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Sixth Form
Yes
Nursery
No

School Performance Data

Official government statistics

Source: DfE

School Demographics

Total Pupils
1,422
Free School Meals
6.1% (87 pupils)
Special Educational Needs
2.6% (37 pupils)

Daily Attendance

Attendance Rate
95.3%
Excellent
Persistent Absence
9.7%
Missing 10%+ of school days

Real Success Rates

What happens to students after they leave this school

Continue Education
62.0%
University, college, or sixth form
Enter Employment
28.0%
Full or part-time jobs
Start Apprenticeships
2.0%
Learning while earning
Not in Education or Work
7.0%
NEET - needs support

Sixth Form University Progression

Where sixth form students go after graduation

University Progression
52%
Quality: Good
Sixth Form Size
191 students
Per cohort
Apprenticeships
2.0%

Key Performance Indicators

English & Maths Grade 5+:
89.4 (+37.4 vs average)
Attainment 8:
62.4 (+22.9 vs average)
EBacc Entry:
39.6 (+20.2 vs average)
Low Persistent Absence:
9.7 (7.8 below average)
Progress 8:
0.83 (+1.0 vs average)

Calculated Fields

Derived insights and analysis

Source: Calculated

Class Size Information

Average Class Size
89 pupils
Large Classes
Pupils per Year Group
178
Average across all year groups
Total School Size
1,422 pupils
11-18

Subjects This School Excels At

Subjects where students perform significantly above national average

Physics (GCE A level)
★★★★★
(29 students)
Art & Design (Photography) (GCE A level)
★★★★★
(15 students)
Mathematics (Further) (GCE A level)
★★★★★
(10 students)
Spanish (GCE A level)
★★★★★
(7 students)
Computer Studies/Computing (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(16 students)

Strong performance in 5 subjects

From the School Website

Information extracted from the school's own website

Source: School Website

Ethos & Values

"From strength to strength"

Every child has a right to feel safe at school and be engaged and inspired Comprehensive education Outstanding education regardless of ability, prior attainment or background Inclusion Partnership with parents, business and the local community A wide range of extra-curricular opportunities Highest academic standards

Head Teacher's Message

Welcome from the Head; Balcarras aims to be one of the very best schools in the country; the school stresses that every individual is valued, safety, breadth of curriculum and extra-curricular opportunities; notable recognitions include Sunday Times Southwest State Secondary School of the Decade (2021) and OFSTED Outstanding (March 2025).

Extracurriculars

Clubs

Young Enterprise Music D of E EcoSchools School Productions Expeditions

Facilities

Sports Centre Sixth Form facilities

SEND Provision

We are committed to inclusion and we will continue to strive to make sure that our provision for children with Special Educational Needs or Disability is second to none.

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