Great Western Academy
Swindon, SN25 2PP · Swindon · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th of 14 secondary schools in Swindon we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 829 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.9/10 among them, against 5.6/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 47.0 · 56 | 30% | 1.67 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.12 · 58 | 25% | 1.46 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.8 · 54 | 10% | 0.54 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Great Western Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 41.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.12 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.5 out of 10 among them, against 5.0 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Debating Club, Eco Club, and Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. Sports include gymnastics, football, dodgeball, Just Dance, and Wacky Races. The school also stages a production and offers an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,039 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,210. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific steps are taken to maintain the Good Ofsted rating?
What Ofsted said about Great Western Academy
Overview
Great Western Academy is a new free school where leaders are “ambitious for pupils to excel” and have successfully built a strong community. The report highlights a well-sequenced curriculum, positive pupil behaviour, and effective support for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Strengths
- Leaders have developed an “ambitious and broad curriculum” that is “sequenced well,” helping pupils consolidate learning and prepare for future education.
- Pupils are “respectful and friendly,” with sixth-form students actively contributing through roles such as peer reading ‘buddies’ and school parliament.
- A “broad enrichment programme” offers diverse opportunities, including clubs, trips, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
- Staff receive comprehensive professional training and feel “valued by leaders,” while parents are “highly positive” about the school’s achievements.
- The library is central to the school, with dedicated daily reading time and effective support for early readers.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must improve the use of assessment in some subjects, as pupils sometimes complete tasks that are “not useful or as relevant as they could be.”
- The careers programme needs to be more comprehensive for younger pupils, who currently do not receive enough detailed information about future training and career options.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training and working closely with external agencies to support vulnerable pupils.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.7 |
| 2024/25 | 45.5 |
| 2025/26 | 46.8 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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