Great Western Academy

Secondary
Free school
Ages 11 to 18

Ofsted: Good

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

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

155 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score45.5

45.5, 0.6 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths41.3%

41.3%, 4.1 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths69.7%

69.7%, 4.9 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc40%

40%, 0.5 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.09

4.09, the same as the England average.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

87 students

Average point score per A level entry31.42

31.42, 3.58 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,039 pupils on roll, with places for 1,210

Eligible for free school meals15.3%

15.3%, 11.2 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 support11.3%

11.3%, 3.5 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.6%

3.6%, 2.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

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
Website: gwacademy.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
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.