Schools & Education · Wiltshire-wide
Wiltshire secondary school place scramble revealed: The most in-demand schools
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
New figures reveal which Wiltshire secondary schools were the most oversubscribed for Year 7 entry this year, with grammar schools in Salisbury leading the competition.
New government data has highlighted the schools in Wiltshire where competition for Year 7 places was fiercest this academic year. For many parents, the annual transition to secondary school is a challenging process, and this year’s statistics offer a clear picture of which institutions remain the most in-demand across the county.
As in previous years, Wiltshire’s selective grammar schools in Salisbury experienced the highest volume of applications. South Wilts Grammar School saw significant pressure, recording nearly 1.5 applications for every available seat, with 230 applications submitted for 158 places. Similarly, Bishop Wordsworth’s School saw high demand, with 213 applications for 157 places, representing a ratio of approximately 1.3 children per available spot.
Most competitive non-selective schools
Outside of the selective system, Lavington School emerged as the most oversubscribed non-selective secondary, with a ratio of 1.2 applications for every place. The school, which holds a Good rating from Ofsted, saw 205 applications for 168 available seats. Inspectors have previously noted the school’s calm and orderly atmosphere, alongside strong pupil behaviour and GCSE results that consistently perform above the national average.
St John’s in Marlborough also saw intense interest, with 308 applications for 265 places, or a ratio of 1.16 to one. The school continues to report strong academic outcomes, with over 80 per cent of students achieving passes in both English and maths, and nearly 30 per cent of all grades at 7 or above.
Other schools experiencing high demand—where the number of applications slightly exceeded the available capacity—include:
Hardenhuish School, Chippenham
St Augustine’s, Trowbridge
The Corsham School
Availability across the county
While some institutions remain highly competitive, the data also provides a list of schools that had capacity to spare for new entrants. Parents looking for alternatives or late admissions may find more availability at:
Sheldon School, Chippenham
St Joseph’s Catholic School, Salisbury
Devizes School
St Edmund’s Girls’ School, Salisbury
Pewsey Vale School
For those living in specific catchment areas, there was also positive news. A wide range of institutions managed to accommodate every applicant who requested a place for this academic year, including Royal Wootton Bassett Academy , Malmesbury School , The Wellington Academy in Tidworth, The Stonehenge School in Amesbury, and several schools in the Trowbridge and Calne areas, such as The Clarendon Academy and The John Bentley School .
Additionally, schools noted as having the most accessible admission processes this year included Avon Valley Academy in Durrington, Sarum Academy in Salisbury, and The Trafalgar School at Downton.
Source: Salisbury Journal · View original