Abbey Park School

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Good

The Learning Campus, Redhouse Way, Swindon, SN25 2NDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Abbey Park School is a secondary school in Swindon for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 90 schools in Swindon. It ranks 5th of 16 secondary schools in Swindon. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 17 January 2023, report published 2 March 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 January 2023

Pupils are proud to talk about their school. Leaders are ambitious for pupils. The new 'Abbey Park Proud' vision sets out the high expectations leaders have for pupils. Most pupils understand the raised expectations. As a result, pupils' behaviour in lessons is positive and focused. Behaviour during breaktimes is purposeful and calm. A minority of pupils sometimes behave in challenging ways. When this happens, leaders manage this behaviour effectively using many resources and strategies. Pupils learn about bullying and unkind behaviours. A majority of pupils say bullying is not common. They are confident that when they report bullying, leaders will take it seriously and deal with it. However, leaders recognise that pupils do not always see the actions taken when dealing with reports. Pupils have good relationships with staff. They feel safe and well supported. There are many opportunities for pupil leadership. For example, the school council works with local primary schools to run a 'buddy reader' programme. Pupils attend a wide range of clubs and activities, such as social justice, tabletop games and jewellery making, as well as sports and performing arts. Year 11 pupils attend subject catch- up clubs. They are positive about how these help them.

What the school should improve

  • Additional support for key stage 3 pupils is timetabled when other pupils are learning modern foreign languages. As a result, some pupils have gaps in their knowledge of the language curriculum. This hinders their learning. Leaders need to give careful thought to planned interventions to ensure there is equity of the curriculum for all pupils.
  • A minority of pupils are responsible for a significant amount of the most challenging behaviours. Leaders manage this well. However, leaders do not evaluate the impact of the work they are doing. This means they do not have the information they need to identify what has been successful in managing behaviour. Leaders should evaluate the impact of their actions to inform future strategic planning.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

231 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score46.2

46.2, 0.1 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths50.6%

50.6%, 5.2 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths70.1%

70.1%, 5.3 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc42%

42%, 1.5 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.18

4.18, 0.09 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,193 pupils on roll, with places for 1,200

Eligible for free school meals16.7%

16.7%, 9.8 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language11.9%

11.9%, 9.7 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support17.2%

17.2%, 2.4 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan5.8%

5.8%, 0.2 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Abbey Park School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Great Western Academy0.7 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 45.5
Nova Hreod Academy2 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 49.1
Swindon Academy2 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standardAttainment 8: 50.2
Bradon Forest School3 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 48.1
Kingsdown School3 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 41.4

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
THE PARK ACADEMIES TRUST
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mr Jon Ward
Address
The Learning Campus, Redhouse Way, Swindon, SN25 2ND
Local authority
Swindon
URN
145744

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.