Lydiard Park Academy
Swindon, SN5 6HN · Swindon · secondary school
Check the area around this school
4th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.7/10 against 878 of them, against 5.7/10 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 | 45.8 · 52 | 30% | 1.56 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.19 · 64 | 25% | 1.60 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.1 · 56 | 10% | 0.56 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Lydiard Park Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.19 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join a Sport Club and participate in drama productions, music concerts, and instrumental lessons. Trips include visits to the USA, Iceland, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, and London museums. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,302 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,370. 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 maintain the progress seen in the 2023/24 data? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about Lydiard Park Academy
Overview
Lydiard Park Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils show pride in their work and maintain positive, trusting relationships with adults. The institution fosters a strong sense of community, teaching pupils to ‘think of the other person’ and ensuring that bullying is not tolerated. Leaders provide a broad and ambitious curriculum that prepares students well for sixth form and higher education.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘carefully sequenced’ so that ‘pupils’ knowledge builds securely over time’, helping them understand what is distinctive about each subject.
- Assessment is used effectively to identify gaps in understanding, with the curriculum adapted to ensure pupils are ‘ready to learn more’.
- The school accurately identifies pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and makes necessary adaptations, including a specialist resource base for pupils with autism.
- Leaders prioritise reading fluency, providing effective support for weaker readers and offering a wide range of texts to develop cultural understanding.
- The personal development curriculum prepares pupils for adult life, including age-appropriate sex and relationships education and impartial careers advice.
Areas to improve
- In some curriculum areas, pupils lack the opportunity to discuss their learning with peers, which ‘hinders their ability to debate and to deepen their thinking about complex issues and concepts’. The trust should help develop oracy skills and provide more opportunities for discussion.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.6 |
| 2024/25 | 47.0 |
| 2025/26 | 47.1 |
| 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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