“Gathered together that all may thrive”

Bristol Cathedral Choir School is a special place. It is the oldest school in Bristol with a rich musical tradition and a distinctive Christian ethos. It is one of the few remaining state choir schools in the country, educating choristers for Bristol Cathedral Choir. We are proudly comprehensive and inclusive, serving pupils from all areas of the city and of all faiths and none.

The school is unambiguously ambitious for all – regardless of background or ability. The curriculum is rich and knowledge-based, and prioritises the learning of key facts and concepts that profoundly explain the world in which pupils live (sometimes referred to as Powerful Knowledge). As a result, pupils leave knowing much more about the world around them than one might expect. The school typically generates some of the strongest outcomes in the city and many of our pupils go on to attend some of the most prestigious universities in the country – including Oxford and Cambridge.

We value learning outside of the classroom and music is of particular importance to us. The school has educated Bristol Cathedral Choristers for hundreds of years, we are a music specialist school and many pupils are engaged in bands, orchestras, instrumental lessons and choirs offered by the school. Beyond music, the school offers a wide range of sports, trips and co-curricular activities, including the character building Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Finally, the school places great emphasis on politeness and good behaviour – which is taught explicitly. Kindness is expected of everyone in the school. Our pastoral care is excellent and staff know and support the pupils extremely well. We also have a house system, which encourages a strong sense of community and healthy competition. As a result, students feel a sense of belonging and pride.

Dr Wade Nottingham

Headteacher of Bristol Cathedral Choir School

If you're searching for your next education job, please get in touch. You'll be working for a great employer and be part of a friendly, helpful team. We're always interested to hear from enthusiastic, committed education professionals - send us your CV now via our Talent Pool and detail what sort of role you're looking for. By joining our Talent Pool we'll know you're interested in working here when the right vacancy comes up.

Please click on our logo to join and learn more about talent pools!

Kindness

To think of others before ourselves, to be considerate of the needs of everyone in the classroom, staff and pupils alike. To encourage and support everyone in our school to feel that they belong and are welcome, to show compassion to those in need and practice forgiveness.

Courage

To always try our best, to be determined, to try new things, to take risks. To learn from failure, to persevere and to take responsibility. To stand up for the oppressed and marginalised, and to speak out against inequality and injustice

Hope

To be positive, to learn from our mistakes, to look after ourselves and nurture our talents. To encourage and support others to see their potential and help them reach it. To believe and act that what we say and do matters, and can make a positive difference to ourselves, others and the world we live in.

Welcome to Bristol Cathedral Choir School. We “gather together” as a supportive learning community where all are invited that they may discover and achieve their full potential. Our School is shaped by our Christian vision “that all may thrive”, making us ambitious and full of hope for every individual. It is flavoured by our music specialism, further enrichment opportunities and our shared heritage with the Cathedral and the Choir.

We are a welcoming and inclusive school for all, no matter of cultural, ethnic or religious background. Our community values and celebrates diversity. The Book of Revelation talks of a multitude gathering, from “every nation, tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9), and a holy city descending from God, a place where there is no more sickness, mourning or crying (Revelation 21:1-4). Our desire is to reflect this in being a school that is open to all where people from all walks of life come together and are treated with kindness.

We invite anyone to join in our community, through participating, supporting others and sharing experiences. The early Church are described as being in fellowship; they shared everything, were of one accord, and lived to serve one another, their God, those in need, and to learn together (Acts 2:42-47). Our desire is that our community is also like this, one where we rely on each other and take responsibility for ourselves and for each other. Each and every one of us belongs here and has a role to play in our success. We are “one body made up of many parts”, writes St. Paul (1 Corinthians 12:12). We are a community where every student and adult is valued and integral in all that we do.

This school is a place where we want all to thrive and to experience ‘fullness of life’, (John 10:10) through all that we do, from the classroom to the concert hall, the sports’ field to the drama studio, and everything in between. Jesus talks of our lives ‘bearing fruit, good fruit that will last” (John 15:16) - we want students and staff to be courageous and compassionate, to take risks in their learning and for others, and to be people of compassion, forgiveness and justice that have a positive impact on the world.

Our mission is that young people leave us not only proud of their success in school, but as people who “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8), that they hold onto our values of kindness, courage and hope, for themselves, for others and for the world we live in.

As a Church of England Academy sharing in the heritage and present life of the Cathedral

We celebrate and tell the Christian Story

We are a Community of faith we actively welcome those of all faiths and worldviews.

Our community is full of hope and lives out core values derived from Christian teachings.

We meet in the Cathedral to celebrate the life of the school, to sing, think and reflect together, and to offer opportunities for reflection, worship and prayer.

We seek to develop the whole person: spiritually, morally, socially and culturally.

Amplify Education: A Bold New Voice for Bristol

Amplify Education is the result of the merger between two highly respected organisations—Trust in Learning Academies (TiLA) and Cathedral Schools Trust (CST). This new Trust will bring together the complementary strengths, expertise, and shared values of both organisations, forming a collaborative force committed to excellence, inclusion, and innovation in education.

About Amplify Education

Amplify Education is the largest Bristol-based multi-academy trust, serving approximately 12,000 pupils across 22 schools and covering diverse communities and geographies.

Amplify Education is deeply rooted in Bristol and is dedicated to serving its communities, with a focus on addressing educational challenges, promoting social mobility, and fostering unity and pride.

Amplify works closely with local partners, families, and schools to ensure every child has access to high-quality education, creative, musical, and academic opportunities, and a strong sense of belonging.

If you'd like to learn more, please click here.