E-ACT Bristol Academy South is an all-through mainstream school in Bristol, Bristol, City of, for children and young people aged 3 to 18. In January 2026, 339 of its 1,018 pupils (33.3%) were getting SEN support and 63 (6.2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–18
- 1,018 pupils
- Ofsted: Inadequate
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Bristol, City of.
33.3% get SEN support
339 of 1,018 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
6.2% have an EHC plan
63 of 1,018 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication149
- Social, emotional and mental health138
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia85
- Autism9
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream all-through school
- Run as
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 3 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,018 (places for 1,410)
- Headteacher
- Co Headteacher Fiona Chapman - Secondary Sarah Flannigan - Primary
- Part of
- E-Act
- Free school meals
- 65.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Bristol, City of
- School reference (URN)
- 151302
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Bristol, City of council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Special measures. Rated Inadequate, March 2024
Ofsted has placed this school in special measures.
Rated Inadequate at its last graded inspection, in March 2024.
- Quality of educationInadequate
- Behaviour and attitudesInadequate
- Personal developmentInadequate
- Leadership and managementInadequate
- Early yearsInadequate
- Sixth formInadequate
- SafeguardingNot effective
Contact and getting there
Gatehouse Avenue, Withywood, Bristol, BS13 9AJ
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
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The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Manor Wood School Independent · Ages 5–16 0.3 miles
- E-ACT Venturers' Academy Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 0.4 miles
- Ilminster Avenue Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–4 · Ofsted: Good 1.8 miles
- Compass Point Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Fair Furlong Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 21.1%, EHC plans 2.2% 0.3 miles
- Headley Park Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 15.1%, EHC plans 3.2% 0.4 miles
- E-ACT Hareclive Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 36.7%, EHC plans 3.3% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Bristol, City of SEND schools in Bristol, City of
Questions about E-ACT Bristol Academy South
How many pupils at E-ACT Bristol Academy South have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 339 of the 1,018 pupils (33.3%) were getting SEN support and 63 (6.2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at E-ACT Bristol Academy South?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (149 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (138 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (85 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at E-ACT Bristol Academy South?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at E-ACT Bristol Academy South?
Through Bristol, City of council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to E-ACT Bristol Academy South?
You can ask for E-ACT Bristol Academy South to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does E-ACT Bristol Academy South have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Ilminster Avenue Nursery School, about 1.8 miles away.
Where is E-ACT Bristol Academy South?
Gatehouse Avenue, Withywood, Bristol, BS13 9AJ, in Bristol, City of.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.