Nova Hreod Academy
Swindon, SN2 2NQ · Swindon · secondary school
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6th of 14 secondary schools in Swindon we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 5.8/10 against 915 of them, against 5.5/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 49.7 · 62 | 30% | 1.85 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.09 · 43 | 25% | 1.08 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.6 · 68 | 10% | 0.68 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Nova Hreod Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 52.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.1, compared with the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.09 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (6.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,044 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. 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 activities are available for students to join outside of core lessons?
What Ofsted said about Nova Hreod Academy
Overview
Nova Hreod Academy continues to be a good school, offering a "friendly and welcoming" environment where leaders maintain high expectations based on core values. Pupils benefit from a "calm and purposeful learning environment" and a "rich and ambitious curriculum" that supports all learners, including those with special educational needs.
Strengths
- Teachers demonstrate "strong subject knowledge" and use "clear, consistent routines" which allow learning time to be maximised.
- Staff effectively meet the needs of pupils with SEND, with specific support ensuring early readers become "confident and fluent".
- The ‘SuperNova’ enrichment programme and weekly inter-house competitions foster character development and a strong "sense of belonging".
- Pupils receive a "detailed programme of careers advice" and engage in employer encounters, meeting the requirements of the Baker Clause.
- The governing body and trust representatives work well together to "support and challenge leaders".
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure opportunities for pupils to "discuss and debate" subject content across the curriculum to prevent "surface-level understanding".
- Leaders should ensure all parents receive "regular and timely communication" regarding expectations and next steps to strengthen home-school relationships.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with "clear and robust systems" for recruitment and staff building a "detailed picture" of individual pupils to secure timely help when appropriate.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.0 |
| 2024/25 | 49.1 |
| 2025/26 | 49.6 |
| 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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