Best Secondary Schools in Swindon

Swindon's secondary schools include academies and comprehensive schools with a range of Ofsted ratings. GCSE results, sixth form provision, catchment areas, and school ethos all influence where parents apply. This guide explains what to look for and where to find the latest data. Always check the council and school websites for current admissions.

Secondary school – students and learning
Secondary schools in Swindon – academies and comprehensives. Credit: Unsplash
GCSE resultsCompare attainment
Sixth formSome have in-house
Apply Oct–OctYear 7 deadline

How to compare secondary schools

Use GOV.UK Compare school performance and GOV.UK Find an Ofsted report for GCSE results, Progress 8 scores, and inspection reports. Swindon has several Good and Outstanding secondaries. Ofsted and attainment are useful but visit open evenings and talk to current families when you can.

Catchment and oversubscription

Many popular secondary schools in Swindon are oversubscribed. Places are usually allocated by catchment, distance, siblings, and sometimes faith or other criteria. See school catchment areas in Swindon for maps and typical postcodes. Living outside the catchment does not rule you out, but it reduces the chance of a place if the school is oversubscribed.

Sixth form options

Some Swindon secondaries have their own sixth form. Others feed into New College Swindon, UTC Swindon, or Swindon Academy's United College Sixth Form. See school and college open days for post-16 options.

When to apply

Year 7 applications typically open in September and close in October for entry the following September. Apply through Swindon Borough Council – typically October for the following September. Check the council website for exact deadlines.

School performance and Ofsted

Compare GCSEs, Progress 8, and inspection reports.

GOV.UK – Compare school performance

Information correct as of February 2026. Ofsted ratings, catchment boundaries, and admissions criteria change. Use GOV.UK and Swindon Borough Council for up-to-date information.