Hardenhuish School
Chippenham, SN14 6RJ · Wiltshire · secondary school
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8th of 27 secondary schools in Wiltshire we can score, 28 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 783 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.6/10 among them, against 6.4/10 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 | 51.0 · 65 | 30% | 1.94 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.14 · 60 | 25% | 1.50 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 50.3 · 71 | 10% | 0.71 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Hardenhuish School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 42.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.14 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.6 out of 10 among them, against 5.3 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join chess and creative writing clubs, ski, and participate in musical groups. Trips include visits to art galleries and theatres, language learning, skiing in Europe, and Camps International. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,519 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,678. 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 support is available for students aiming for higher attainment in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about Hardenhuish School
Overview
Hardenhuish School continues to be a good school, providing an ambitious curriculum that is carefully refined to be both challenging and accessible. Pupils are described as happy, polite, and respectful, thriving in a supportive environment where they feel safe and are ‘inspired to learn’.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘well sequenced’ so pupils build on prior knowledge, with teachers demonstrating ‘strong subject knowledge’ and effectively addressing misconceptions.
- Effective systems identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they ‘participate fully in lessons’ and access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers.
- Behaviour is ‘calm and orderly’, with staff applying a consistent approach to misbehaviour and pupils responding well to high expectations.
- A comprehensive careers programme provides helpful guidance, ensuring pupils are ‘well prepared for their next stage in education’ through work experience and employer engagement.
- Leaders demonstrate a ‘strong moral intent’, making decisions in pupils’ best interests while staff feel valued and parents are ‘overwhelmingly positive’.
Areas to improve
- The school should ensure participation in extra-curricular activities is ‘carefully monitored and increased’ so that the interests and talents of more pupils are developed.
- The school should encourage pupils to ‘read more widely and often’, including out of school, to develop their experience and enjoyment of reading.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 52.1 |
| 2024/25 | 47.5 |
| 2025/26 | 50.3 |
| 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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