Kingsdown School
Hyde Rd, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon, SN2 7SHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Kingsdown School is a secondary school in Swindon for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 90 schools in Swindon. It ranks 12th of 16 secondary schools in Swindon. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2020.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 28 January 2020, report published 24 February 2020
- 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 18 March 2025
Pupils feel welcome and included at this school. Pupils feel safe. They have trusted adults at school who they know will help them if they have any worries. Pupils behave well. They strive to meet the high expectations the school has of their conduct. Many wear the badges they are awarded for demonstrating the school's values with great pride. These values, which the school calls 'BEATs', support pupils to become respectful and responsible members of the community. The school has high expectations of pupils' achievement. Pupils know and appreciate that the school wants the best for them. Pupils enjoy supporting others. For instance, pupils in Year 8 help new Year 7 pupils to settle into the school. Prefects, 'head' pupils, 'here to hear listeners' and transition ambassadors all contribute to the sense of pride and belonging that pupils have. The work of the student council leads to tangible changes in the school. This helps pupils to see the value of sharing their views. The school provides many opportunities for pupils to develop their talents and interests, making sure these experiences are inclusive. There are many trips and visits, as well as regular clubs for pupils to attend.
What the school should improve
- Sometimes, the teaching methods and activities used are not effective enough. The quality of teachers' explanations and teaching activities does not consistently enable pupils to learn as well as they could. The school and trust should ensure that staff use the whole-school approaches to teaching consistently so that pupils make the best possible progress through the curriculum.
- The attendance of some pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils remains too low. As a result, these pupils do not achieve well, nor do they experience the wider personal development that the school provides. The trust and school should continue to improve attendance so that more pupils achieve well.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
154 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
1,108 pupils on roll, with places for 1,260
Schools near Kingsdown School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swindon Academy | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 50.2 |
| St Joseph's Catholic College | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 38.0 |
| Maranatha Christian School | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Nova Hreod Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 49.1 |
| The Dorcan Academy | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 44.3 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- RIVER LEARNING TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Emma Leigh-Bennett
- Phone
- 01793822284
- Address
- Hyde Rd, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon, SN2 7SH
- Local authority
- Swindon
- URN
- 145139
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.