Sheldon School
Chippenham, SN14 6HJ · Wiltshire · secondary school
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13th 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 874 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.5/10 among them, against 4.8/10 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 | 46.1 · 53 | 30% | 1.59 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.1 · 42 | 25% | 1.06 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.5 · 47 | 10% | 0.47 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sheldon 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 45.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.1 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse 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 3.0 out of 10 among them, against 4.5 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Ukulele, Darts, Chess, and Pokemon Clubs, or contribute to The Sheldonian Student Newspaper. Sports include trampolining, cycling, kayaking, and climbing. Music lessons are available, and trips include Ten Tors and a Year 7 camp. An after-school club is provided.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,467 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,800. 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 to raise their Attainment 8? How does the after-school club integrate with the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Sheldon School
Overview
Sheldon School is a good school with a positive culture, high expectations for pupils, and a purposeful ethos. Pupils feel part of the 'Sheldon community' and are encouraged to be their best. The school has a broad and ambitious curriculum, and teachers have a high level of subject knowledge.
Strengths
- Pupils feel part of the 'Sheldon community' and are encouraged to be their best.
- The school has high expectations for pupils and a purposeful ethos.
- Teachers have a high level of subject knowledge and pupils describe their learning as 'scholarly'.
- Pupils are well prepared to take the next steps into higher education, apprenticeships or other training.
- The school has a comprehensive personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum and pupils learn about relationships in an age-appropriate way.
Areas to improve
- In a few parts of the curriculum, the depth and sequencing of what pupils learn has only recently been planned with greater precision, and the school needs to ensure the curriculum is implemented effectively across all year groups.
- In a minority of subjects, teachers do not act on the assessment information they have, and the school needs to ensure that assessment information is used effectively.
- Some areas of school leadership have worked in isolation from other areas, and the school needs to make sure leaders have the strategic overview and can share information knowledgeably.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.7 |
| 2024/25 | 45.2 |
| 2025/26 | 45.5 |
| 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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