📚 Hanham Woods Academy: Ofsted, Admissions, Catchment & Parent Guide

1. Overview of Hanham Woods Academy

Hanham Woods Academy opened in its current form on 1 September 2014, having previously been known as Hanham High School. It is a non‑selective, mixed secondary academy with a sixth form, serving approximately 844 pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is part of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), a multi‑academy trust that operates over 30 schools from Gloucestershire to Somerset.

The academy’s mission is underpinned by the ethos “Dream Big, Work Hard, Be Kind.” Leaders describe it as a place where “pupils feel safe and cared for” and are “encouraged to dream big about their futures.” Since its Ofsted‑rated “Inadequate” predecessor inspection in October 2017, the school has undergone a dramatic transformation and is now described as “one of the most improved Academies in the South West.”

2. 📊 Ofsted Rating & Inspection Summary

Hanham Woods Academy’s Ofsted journey tells a powerful improvement story. The most recent full inspection took place on 13 November 2019, when the school was judged Good in all five areas:

• ✅ Quality of Education: Good
• ✅ Behaviour and Attitudes: Good
• ✅ Personal Development: Good
• ✅ Leadership and Management: Good

In March 2025, Ofsted carried out an ungraded inspection. Inspectors concluded that Hanham Woods “has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The report highlighted the school’s “ambitious curriculum,” “calm and orderly” atmosphere, and “high quality support” for pupils.

Attendance is a high priority. Key staff have built positive relationships with families, and latest data shows improved attendance and reduced persistent absence.

Safeguarding was judged effective, with a dedicated safeguarding team ensuring vulnerable pupils are well monitored and supported.

📋 View the full Ofsted report for Hanham Woods Academy

3. 📍 Location & Catchment Area

Address: Memorial Road, Hanham, Bristol, BS15 3LA.

Hanham Woods Academy sits in the quiet, leafy suburb of Hanham, on the eastern edge of Bristol, within the South Gloucestershire local authority. It is approximately 0.3 miles from the heart of Hanham village and about 5 miles from Bristol city centre.

🏘️ Catchment & Feeder Schools

Hanham Woods Academy does not have a fixed geographical catchment area — admissions are distance‑based — but in practice it draws heavily from these local primaries:

• Hanham Abbots Junior School (approx. 30% of Year 7 intake)
• Christ Church Hanham CofE Primary School (approx. 22%)
• Beacon Rise Primary School (approx. 19%)
• Courtney, The Park, Air Balloon Hill, Summerhill, and Longwell Green primaries

📈 Competition for Places

In the 2024 admissions round, Hanham Woods Academy received 324 applications for its 174 available Year 7 places — approximately 2 applications per place. By the 2025–2026 admissions round, the school was recorded as “not oversubscribed,” with 146 first‑preference applications for 170 places.

🚗 Transport & Accessibility

• Bus: Several services connect Hanham to Kingswood, Longwell Green, and the city centre
• Cycling & Walking: Easy cycling distance for pupils in Hanham, Longwell Green, and Warmley
• Road access: A4174 Avon Ring Road and the A431 provide fast links
• Train: Keynsham railway station is approx. 1.5 miles away

4. 🎓 Admissions Process (Year 7 Entry)

Applications for a Year 7 place at Hanham Woods Academy are managed through South Gloucestershire Council’s coordinated admissions scheme.

🔑 Oversubscription Criteria

When the school is oversubscribed (PAN = 170), the following criteria apply in order:

1. Looked‑After Children and previously looked‑after children.
2. Children with a sibling already at the academy.
3. Distance from the school (straight‑line measurement).
4. Children of staff (employed for at least two years).

No compulsory entrance exam is used. All applications go through the council.

📞 South Gloucestershire Admissions Team

5. 💰 Fees Structure

Hanham Woods Academy is a state‑funded academy. Education is completely free for all pupils aged 11–18. There are no tuition fees.

Parents may be asked for voluntary contributions towards school trips, extra‑curricular clubs, and music tuition. Approximately 15.2% of pupils are eligible for Free School Meals, and funding is available to support uniform, trips, and enrichment.

6. 📅 Term Dates & School Calendar

Hanham Woods Academy follows the Cabot Learning Federation term dates, closely mirroring the South Gloucestershire pattern. The academy operates a 6‑term model with a two‑week October break.

📅 View the full Hanham Woods Academy term dates

7. 🏫 Facilities & Infrastructure

• Modern classrooms with interactive whiteboards and subject‑specialist displays
• Science laboratories for practical work up to GCSE and A‑Level
• Sports Hall and multi‑use games area (MUGA)
• Dance and drama studios
• Library and learning resource centre
• Sixth‑form study centre with independent learning facilities
• On‑site canteen serving hot meals and grab‑and‑go options
• Outdoor learning spaces and seating areas

♿ Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support

The academy has a resourced provision for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with a capacity of 25 pupils, plus a separate SEN unit with a further 25 places. Approximately 12.6% of pupils have identified SEN support. The SENCo works closely with staff and external agencies to ensure every child thrives.

8. 📈 Academic Performance & GCSE Results

Hanham Woods Academy has made notable progress in its academic outcomes. The most recent published performance measures (Summer 2025) show:

🏆 View full performance data on GOV.UK

9. ⭐ Parent Reviews & Reputation

The most recent Ofsted Parent View data (176 responses) shows:

📋 Read full Ofsted Parent View results

10. ⚖️ Pros & Cons

11. 🤔 Is Hanham Woods Academy a Good School?

📞 To arrange a visit, call 0117 440 8900 or visit www.hanhamwoods.academy.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions