The Department for Education has released the latest preliminary performance figures for secondary schools across the country.
We have used the data to identify the best performing secondary schools in Bristol based on their Attainment 8 scores, Progress 8 scores and percentage of students who achieved a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSE.
Attainment 8 scores are determined by how well students performed in up to 8 qualifications, including English, Maths, 3 Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications. The average score in England was 45.9 and 45.2 for Bristol.
Progress 8 scores refers to the academic progress pupils make from the end of key stage 2 to the end of key stage 4 and is based on 8 qualifications. A score above zero means pupils have achieved better results on average at their school than at other schools across England that got similar results at the end of Key Stage 2, and 0.5 or higher is classes as ‘well above average’.
A score below zero does not mean there was no progress, but means that pupils made less progress than at schools with higher scores. However, some overall negative scores may be classed as ‘average’ when the confidence interval spans both above and below zero.
Were available, we have also included Ofsted ratings for each of the top-performing secondary schools. In some instances, an overall Ofsted judgement is unavailable, as the school regulator has now scrapped single word scores.
Scroll through to find out which are the 21 best performing schools in the Bristol area based on their Attainment 8 scores, GCSE results and Ofsted ratings.

1. Redland Green School
Redland Green School located on Redland Court Road, achieved an attainment score of 61.5. 74.4% of students achieved a grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs in 2024. The school received an Progress 8 score of 0.55. Current Ofsted rating: Good. | George Evans / Wikimedia

2. Bristol Free School
Bristol Free School located on Concorde Drive, achieved an attainment score of 58. 66.3% of students achieved a grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs in 2024. The school received an Progress 8 score of 0.43. Current Ofsted rating: Good. | Bristol Free School

3. E-Act Montpelier High School
E-Act Montpelier High School located on Cheltenham Road, achieved an attainment score of 57.2. 65.2% of students achieved a grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs in 2024. The school received an Progress 8 score of 0.57. Current Ofsted rating: Unavailable. | Google

4. Bristol Cathedral Choir School
Bristol Cathedral Choir School located on College Square, achieved an attainment score of 56.7. 65.8% of students achieved a grade 5 or above in English and Maths GCSEs in 2024. The school received an Progress 8 score of 0.55. Current Ofsted rating: Good. | Google