Kingdown School
Warminster, BA12 9DR · Wiltshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
14th 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 919 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.2/10 among them, against 4.9/10 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 | 40.9 · 40 | 30% | 1.19 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.13 · 59 | 25% | 1.48 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.8 · 49 | 10% | 0.49 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Kingdown School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. In 2024/25, 29.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.13 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.0 out of 10 among them, against 3.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Lego Club and Duke of Edinburgh, participate in Dance, Choir, Band, and Public Speaking, and attend an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,347 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,668. 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 close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds? How does the after-school club integrate with the academic curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Kingdown School
Overview
Kingdown School continues to be a good school, characterised by high expectations and a positive atmosphere where pupils feel safe and supported. The report highlights an ambitious curriculum, effective leadership, and strong character development opportunities, though it notes that assessment practices require refinement to better support pupil understanding.
Strengths
- The school offers an "ambitious, well-designed and well-sequenced curriculum" with most teachers being "well-qualified subject specialists".
- Pupils behave well, ensuring classrooms remain "positive and purposeful" with little disruption to learning.
- There is a "sharp focus" on reading, with targeted support for phonics and fluency, and successful provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
- The school provides a "comprehensive" offer for broader development, including a strong personal, social, health and education curriculum and leadership roles for older students.
- Leaders demonstrate "strong moral leadership" and work effectively with the trust and governance to support the school.
Areas to improve
- Assessment is not always used well; in some subjects, teachers do not use it to identify why pupils have an "insecure understanding of curriculum content".
- Staff need to make better use of assessment to check the impact of the curriculum and adapt teaching accordingly.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with rapid identification of pupils needing support, trained staff, careful recruitment checks, and suitable policies regarding sexual harassment and online abuse.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.4 |
| 2024/25 | 42.8 |
| 2025/26 | 45.8 |
| 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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