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Balcarras School

Comprehensive

National rank

201=

232

Rank last year

69^%

A-level

38.2^%

GCSE

Need to know

Head teacher Dominic Burke

Attendance 95.2%

Gender of entry Mixed

Send pupils* 16.0% *Special educational needs and disabilities

Total pupils 1,425

Pupils on free school meals 6.4%

Progress 8

Progress 8 is a measure of the development a school cohort/pupils makes from year 6 to year 11. The data used is from 2024. There will be no KS2 updates for 2025 or 2026 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The government is consulting on an improved version of Progress 8 and Attainment 8

WELL ABOVE AVERAGE

Our methodology

Results

Grade

9.9

25.5

33.6

A*/A

35.4

A*-B

Grade

9/8

21.9

16.3

9/8/7

38.2

What the school inspection says

“The school is highly ambitious for pupils to enjoy a broad and well-designed curriculum. It has the highest expectations for all pupils, both for their academic achievement and to be part of a positive and inclusive school community. Pupils and students make exceptional progress in their learning. Pupils are highly courteous and respectful, towards one another and with staff and visitors. From before the school day, through to after school, pupils and students immerse themselves in the life of the school and the community. During lunchtime, very many pupils participate in a plethora of events and clubs.”

Inspection

2025

In detail *

Read the full report

*Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgment in inspections of state-funded schools. A five-point grading scale, including a new “exceptional” grade was introduced in November 2025.

About the school

Balcarras School prides itself in making sure that “all students are inspired not only to do their best but to expand their horizons”.
There are thriving music and drama clubs as well as art, sport and activities to “bring colour and vitality” to the student experience such as archery, dance and drama. School groups have recently set course for Malawi, Thailand and Laos, while past trips have taken students to Namibia, Ecuador, India, Tanzania, Mongolia, Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile and Borneo.
All students have access to the online Wellbeing Hub where they can ask questions and get help with anything that is worrying them.
The school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, holds empty car park days each term, when everyone is encouraged to car-share, cycle or walk to school. The green group is working towards renewing Balcarras’s Eco Schools Green Flag status.
Balcarras School was awarded Southwest State Secondary School of the Decade 2021

admin@balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk

Telephone

01242 515 881

Website

balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk

Address

East End Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL53 8QF

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