Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #7 in Swindon public Top 21% UK

The Commonweal School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Charles Drew

corporate_fareTHE COMMONWEAL SCHOOL

location_onSwindon, SN1 4JE

language Visit Website phone 1793612727

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2017

groups

Students

1,392

trending_up

Attainment 8

46.3

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GCSE Rank

#6 in Swindon

#1,496 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Commonweal School is a Academy converter secondary school in Swindon, serving ages 11-19. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.3×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

The Commonweal School is an academy converter in Swindon, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE COMMONWEAL SCHOOL. The school has approximately 1,382 pupils on roll, of whom 19% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.3, placing the school #6 in Swindon and #1,496 of 3,216 nationally. 38.30% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 16.7% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 26 A-level subjects. 33.9% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 11.3% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.33 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2017. The school's current overall rating is Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.3× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.0:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.3 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

46.3

Grade 5+ E&M

38.30%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)16.7%

Entering EBacc35.50%

EBacc APS4.12

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.11

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc28.60%

EBacc APS3.9

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.11

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23%

EBacc APS4.04

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.04

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23%

EBacc APS4.3

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.17

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS4.09

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.19

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc39%

EBacc APS4.21

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.33

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*2.7%

Achieving A*–A11.3%

Achieving A*–B33.9%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate96.7%

A-level subjects offered26

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.23

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

124

Retention rate93.50%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

113

Retention rate93.80%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

106

Retention rate95.3%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

13 June 2023

Inspection Report

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28 November 2017

Inspection Report

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05 May 2015

Inspection Report

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26 February 2014

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2017-11-28

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2014-02-26

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

3.0%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.6%(22 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,382 pupils. During this period, there were 42 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.0%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,382	42	3.0%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,392	77	5.5%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,392	53	3.8%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,398	64	4.6%	7.1%	3
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,403	64	4.6%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,381	24	1.7%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,392	25	1.8%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,388	17	1.2%	5.9%	2
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,419	27	1.9%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,408	16	1.1%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,411	19	1.3%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,385	17	1.2%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,384	2	0.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,387	24	1.7%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,386	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,386	25	1.8%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,404	23	1.6%	4.2%	2
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,382	23	1.7%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,386	21	1.5%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,399	33	2.4%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,420	27	1.9%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,423	28	2.0%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,427	12	0.8%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,374	16	1.2%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,379	26	1.9%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,391	16	1.2%	3.1%	2

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 83 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 40 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 37 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 28 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 19 pupils

Physical Disability 9 pupils

Hearing Impairment 6 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

89.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

92.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

23.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree33%

agree49%

disagree10%

strongly disagree3%

don't know5%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree29%

agree46%

disagree12%

strongly disagree6%

don't know7%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree35%

agree25%

disagree10%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

not applicable25%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes21%

no79%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree52%

agree30%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

dont know9%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree36%

agree46%

disagree8%

strongly disagree2%

don't know8%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree47%

agree45%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree43%

agree45%

disagree8%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree55%

agree40%

disagree5%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree66%

agree30%

disagree2%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree41%

agree42%

disagree8%

strongly disagree3%

don't know6%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes92%

no8%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Swindon

The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College

Swindon Academy

Nova Hreod Academy

Lydiard Park Academy

The Deanery CofE Academy

Abbey Park School