Sarum Academy
Salisbury, SP2 9HS · Wiltshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
23rd 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.6/10 against 532 of them, against 0.6/10 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 | 18.6 · 3 | 30% | 0.08 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.62 · 11 | 25% | 0.27 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 32.3 · 2 | 10% | 0.02 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sarum Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 23.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 33.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.62 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally matched peers. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (1.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 747 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,150. 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 attainment gap with national medians? What specific interventions are in place for students who are behind in English and maths? How does the school monitor progress for pupils with similar backgrounds to the national average?
What Ofsted said about Sarum Academy
Overview
Sarum Academy continues to be a good school, described as a welcoming environment where pupils are "safe and happy" and enjoy their education. The report highlights a strong inclusive ethos underpinned by Christian values, with staff setting clear expectations that pupils understand and respond to positively. Leaders maintain high aspirations for all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring they study a broad range of subjects.
Strengths
- Pupils are "kind and respectful" in an inclusive setting where bullying is rare and staff resolve incidents effectively.
- The curriculum is "well planned" with teachers demonstrating "strong subject knowledge" and making suitable adjustments for difficulties.
- Leaders have successfully prioritised reading, ensuring all pupils read regularly and receive targeted support to catch up if needed.
- Pupils with SEND are identified early and receive necessary help, allowing them to "follow the curriculum successfully" and prepare well for the future.
- Students benefit from diverse leadership opportunities, such as mentoring roles and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, fostering resilience and self-reliance.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, the use of assessment is not well developed, leading to pupils not remembering important ideas in the longer term.
- Leaders must ensure teachers use assessment to identify gaps in understanding so they can adapt planning to help pupils securely build on existing knowledge.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with clear systems for reporting concerns, careful vetting of staff and volunteers, and pupils learning how to keep themselves safe online and protect their mental health.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 34.4 |
| 2024/25 | 33.7 |
| 2025/26 | 32.3 |
| 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 National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of SP2 9HS, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT