Downend School vs The Castle School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in South West, England, 14 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Downend School
Bristol · Academy secondary · Ages 11–18
1,415 students
The Castle School
Bristol · Academy secondary · Ages 11–18
1,416 students
| Measure | Downend School Bristol, South West | The Castle School Bristol, South West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 73 Top 25% | 76 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #69 of 402 | #58 of 402 |
| National rank | #896 of 4,090 | #744 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Academy | Academy |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 11–18 | Ages 11–18 |
| Students | 1,415 | 1,416 |
| Pupils on roll | 1,415 | 1,416 |
| Free school meals | 11.3% | 14.6% |
| Capacity filled | 99.3% | 81.7% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 51.0 | 52.4 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 53.6% | 58.3% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 75.5% | 74.9% |
| EBacc average points | 4.61 | 4.93 |
| A level points per entry | 31.8 | 33.8 |
| town | Bristol | Bristol |
| region | South West | South West |
| Website | www.downend.com/ | www.thecastleschool.org.uk |
The verdict
- •The Castle School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (76.2 vs 72.7).
- •The Castle School is the larger school with 1,416 students compared with 1,415.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Downend School better than The Castle School?
On the Success Index (England), The Castle School ranks higher (76.2 vs 72.7 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Downend School and The Castle School?
About 14 km in a straight line, between Bristol and Bristol in South West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Downend School: 1,415. The Castle School: 1,416. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Downend School and The Castle School rank in South West?
Downend School is 69th of 402 and The Castle School is 58th of 402 among secondary schools in South West on the 2025 Success Index (England).