Chipping Sodbury School is an institution built on tradition and strong core values. It is these values which have developed so many young people over the years and provided them with the opportunities to develop and grow into successful individuals within the local community and beyond. The origin of the school dates back to the Middle Ages when the school was set up as an Endowed School to provide free education for the townsmen. It has gone through many transformations since then which have involved it becoming a Grammar School, a Comprehensive School in 1970, and then a Cooperative School in 2013 and now a partner school within The Athelstan Trust.  Whilst there have been changes over the years, the history remains central to the school’s values and ethos.  The Endowed Foundation still provides support for students and is an important part of the school.  In order for all within our community to have the best opportunities in life, we believe that the four key values of Respect, Responsibility, Aspiration and Integrity are fundamental.  

Our school is located on the edge of the Cotswolds, close to both Bristol and Bath and has great access via the M4 motorway which provides strong options for commuting for staff.  This in turn has resulted in Chipping Sodbury being able to recruit some of the best professionals from across the region. It also provides a good opportunity for student learning outside of school and in particular experiences such as theatre visits, outdoor education, musical experiences and exploration of the arts is central to the wider curriculum.  

We believe in providing students with the very best opportunities through achieving the strongest educational outcomes and to do this we have the highest of aspirations. To support this we engage with students from primary school and educate them to when they become young adults at 18.  The school has strong links with the local primary schools and is one of three partners in the high achieving Post-16 Cotswold Edge Partnership.  Whilst three schools are involved in this partnership and there is shared teaching, the school retains a Sixth Form on site and students from across the partnership access the very best of teaching at Chipping Sodbury School as well as at Yate Academy and Brimsham Green School. This partnership not only supports students in a broad and balanced curriculum, but also is key in providing staff with professional development and the opportunity to teach A Level and Applied General qualifications. 

In April 2021, Chipping Sodbury School joined The Athelstan Trust.  A great deal of research and deliberation had gone into this strategic decision.  Governors and school leaders were committed to join a MAT whereby values aligned and there is a culture of genuine collaboration with a focus on school improvement and mutual support.  We have been delighted with this move which has already reaped many benefits including broadening professional development opportunities for staff and securing a wide range of enrichment openings for students.