Great Western Academy
William Morris Way, Tadpole Garden Village, Swindon, SN25 2PPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Great Western Academy is a secondary school in Swindon for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 90 schools in Swindon. It ranks 9th of 16 secondary schools in Swindon. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 10 January 2023, report published 1 March 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 10 January 2023
Leaders are ambitious for pupils to excel. The school's vision of 'achievement, care and excellence' is evident through the curriculum. As the school has grown, adding a new Year each year, staff have developed strong relationships with pupils. Leaders aspire to give all pupils a rich experience of the wider curriculum. A broad enrichment programme is part of the whole school curriculum. The programme includes a geography club, the school newspaper, coding and various arts and sports. Many pupils complete the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. Sixth-form students are active in the school community. For example, they train as peer reading 'buddies' and listen to younger pupils read. The many opportunities for leadership include the school parliament, roles as ambassadors, prefects and as head students in the sixth form. Pupils say leaders listen to them and act following those discussions. Pupils are proud of their part in shaping the school. Pupils are respectful and friendly. They learn about bullying and know how to report their concerns. Pupils say leaders act promptly to deal with issues they tell them about. However, a few pupils continue to use derogatory language, which their peers do not always report to staff.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, leaders have not considered the purpose of assessment deeply enough. As a result, pupils sometimes complete assessments that are not useful or as relevant as they could be for pupils or teachers. Leaders need to improve the use of assessment in these parts of the curriculum.
- The careers programme does not fully provide some pupils with detailed, comprehensive information about options for training, education and careers. As a result, some younger pupils do not receive enough information about possible future career choices. Leaders need to ensure the career programme is up to date, relevant and comprehensive.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
155 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
87 students
Average A level grade C, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,039 pupils on roll, with places for 1,210
Schools near Great Western Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey Park School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 46.2 |
| Nova Hreod Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 49.1 |
| Swindon Academy | 3 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 50.2 |
| Kingsdown School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.4 |
| Bradon Forest School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 48.1 |
School details
- School type
- Free schools
- Sector
- Free school
- Trust
- GREAT WESTERN ACADEMY LIMITED
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr David Clarke
- Phone
- 01793209700
- Address
- William Morris Way, Tadpole Garden Village, Swindon, SN25 2PP
- Local authority
- Swindon
- URN
- 145883
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.