The Commonweal School
Swindon, SN1 4JE · Swindon · secondary school
Check the area around this school
8th 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 the 860 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.9/10 among them, against 4.1/10 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 | 40.6 · 39 | 30% | 1.17 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.11 · 42 | 25% | 1.04 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.1 · 45 | 10% | 0.45 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Commonweal School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, following an inspection in July 2023. In 2024/25, 38.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.11 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 1.7 out of 10 among them, against 4.1 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,442 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,400. 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
What support is available for pupils who are not meeting expected progress in English and maths? How does the school maintain its Good rating while addressing the gap in attainment compared to similar-intake schools?
What Ofsted said about The Commonweal School
Overview
The Commonweal School continues to be a good school, with evidence suggesting it could be judged outstanding if a graded inspection were conducted now. It is described as an “inclusive and happy community” where the ethos of being ‘for the good of all’ permeates school life. Leaders maintain high expectations, fostering a “caring and nurturing ethos” that encourages pupils to be ambitious.
Strengths
- Pupils follow a “broad and rich curriculum” with strong subject knowledge and effective assessment practices leading to “very strong retention of knowledge.”
- Staff support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities well, ensuring they attend the majority of lessons with peers through suitable adaptations.
- The sixth form is “vibrant and welcoming,” offering high-quality teaching and a wide range of courses that attract students from other local schools.
- Behaviour is calm, with pupils showing “positive attitudes to their learning” and treating each other with kindness and courtesy.
- Leaders demonstrate “strong moral intent,” involving staff in decisions and striving to reduce unnecessary workload burdens.
Areas to improve
- Leaders are ambitious for more pupils to follow the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects at key stage 4, noting the proportion continues to grow.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training and leaders taking “swift and effective action” to keep pupils safe, including open discussions on issues such as cyber-bullying and misogyny.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.9 |
| 2024/25 | 46.3 |
| 2025/26 | 45.1 |
| 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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