Clifton High School
School summary
Founded in 1877, Clifton High School is an all-through independent school in Bristol, taking pupils from age 3 to 18 with a main 11+ entry point. With around 805 pupils and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly 12 to one, classes are kept relatively small. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education quality and personal development, with compliance requirements met. Notably, almost 29% of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting a school used to working with a broad range of learning needs.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
57%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
31%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
60%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 6 June 2023
Teaching & academics
Results sit comfortably above national benchmarks: 57% of GCSE grades were 9-7, well over double the national average of 23%. At A-level, 31% of entries reached A*-A and 60% A*-B, both ahead of the national figures. The sixth form is modest at 119 pupils, and the breadth of popular subjects, from Mathematics and the sciences to History, Economics and Computer Science, points to strong options across the disciplines. An EPQ is offered alongside GCSE and A-level for those wanting to stretch independent study.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Head · Will Phelan
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 119
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Swimming features as a main sport, and the wide language provision, covering Spanish, French and German, gives pupils real choice beyond the core curriculum.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1877
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 28.83%
- EHC plans
- 0.13%
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £10,944 - £21,150
Schools nearby
Clifton College
Bristol, South West
Clifton College Preparatory School
Bristol, South West
Queen Elizabeth's Hospital
Bristol, South West
Bristol Grammar School
Bristol, South West
Bristol Waldorf School
Bristol, South West
Bristol International College
Bristol, South West
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A long-established Bristol independent with genuinely strong results and an inclusive streak, well suited to families wanting academic ambition without losing sight of individual support. Day fees run from around £10,944 to £21,150, so it is worth weighing the cost against the offer.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
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Clifton High School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.