The Cotswold School

History

The Cotswold School opened in 1988 following the amalgamation of Bourton Vale Secondary Modern (in Bourton on the Water) and Westwood's Grammar School (Northleach). The first head teacher was Mr Sanders and first chair of governors was Mavis, Viscountess Dunrossil. The roll was just over 400 students and 35 staff.

Former head teachers were Mr Sanders (September 1988 – August 1995) and Mrs Holland (September 1995 – December 2011).

Today

The school roll in March 2025 stands at 1506 students and 140 staff. The last 30 years have seen an extensive programme of building. In the last 5 years, a new Sixth Form study suite and common room have been built; refurbished and newly equipped science laboratories; a gymnasium extension to the sports hall; and a 2 storey, 10 classroom English block with communal learning space, study rooms and department office, which was opened in 2020.

The school gained specialisms for languages (2002) and science (2006) as part of the now defunct specialist schools programme.

The extension to the sixth form and science blocks was opened by Nigel Twiston-Davies in April 2009. The new £1.5 million sports hall, with changing rooms and a community room alongside, first opened in November 2009; it was opened by the former England cricket captain Mike Gatting in July 2010.

The mathematics block was opened by Geoffrey Clinton-brown and Mavis, Viscountess Dunrossil as part of the school's 25th anniversary celebrations during the academic year 2013/2014.

The Sixth Form study suite was opened by Adam Henson Henson in March 2018. The English block was opened by Emma and Simon Keswick November 2022.

During the building of the extensions, it was discovered that the school is situated on a Roman cemetery which was found to also contain Iron Age graves.

Ofsted reports and accolades

In March 2025, Ofsted judged The Cotswold School 'Outstanding' across all categories. This was the fifth consecutive 'Outstanding' inspection carried out at the school.

• An ‘Outstanding’ 11–18 School, Ofsted 2002, 2006, 2009, 2015 and 2025.
• National Teaching School, designated by the National College of Teaching and Leadership 2016.
• The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2023 Southwest Comprehensive of the Year.

Alumni

Westwood's Grammar School

• Harriet Green OBE, chief executive from 2012 to 2014 of Thomas Cook Group
• Wilf Paish MBE, athletics coach

The Cotswold School

• Alice Powell, racing driver
• Sam Twiston-Davies, jockey
• Kieran Shoemark, jockey

References

References

1. "Cotswold News July 2014". Cotswold School.
2. (18 July 2014). "Cotswold School celebrates 25 years with opening of new maths block". Stroud News and Journal.
3. "Cotswold News September/October 2013". Cotswold School.
4. "Inspection of The Cotswold Academy".
5. (3 April 2009). "£1.8m sixth form opened". thisisgloucestershire.co.uk.
6. (6 July 2010). "Batting success". thisisgloucestershire.co.uk.
7. (15 July 2014). "School marks 25th anniversary with Maths block opening". cotswoldjournal.co.uk.
8. (11 January 2012). "Roman cemetery found under school field". Cotswold Archaeology.
9. (April 2013). "New Maths Block, Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design".
10. (2025-03-11). "The Cotswold Academy - Ofsted".
11. (14 April 2015). "Delight as The Cotswold School is ranked outstanding by Ofsted". cotswoldjournal.co.uk.
12. "Parent Power Schools Guide 2023". [[The Times]].
13. (30 January 2014). "Thomas Cook's Harriet Green: 'Sleep is overrated'". Management Today.
14. "Candidate Statements". UK athletics.
15. (19 January 2010). "Racing driver Alice Powell receives top award". BBC Gloucestershire.
16. (10 December 2011). "Two automated emergency defibrillators were presented to the Cotswold School, Bourton-on-the-Water, by National Hunt jockey Sam Twiston-Davies". Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard.
17. (18 August 2017). "Meet the Shoemark brothers: Conor's driving Kieran's apprentice championship bid". Gloucestershire Live.