Malmesbury School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of THE ATHELSTAN TRUST

Corn Gastons, Malmesbury, SN16 0DF

01666 829700 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedOutstandingInspected 12 March 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths49%England 45% · 2024/25
9th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Higher than 63% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,438Room for 1,384 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,359 in 2019, 1,437 in 2021, 1,428 in 2022, 1,438 in 2023, 1,470 in 2024, 1,465 in 2025, 1,438 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0257 for 270 places, September 2026
15th highest of 28 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Higher than 50% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 12 March 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

381 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.

Wiltshire comparisons use the 14 of its 29 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 15 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolWiltshireEngland
My child is happy at this school
4th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wiltshire.
Higher than 63% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
87% 82% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
4th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wiltshire.
Higher than 52% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
87% 86% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 4th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wiltshire.
Higher than 53% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
80% 79% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 166 parents whose child had been bullied
7th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wiltshire.
Higher than 62% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
54% 49% 50%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 294 parents who had raised a concern
6th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wiltshire.
Higher than 62% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
75% 69% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
4th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wiltshire.
Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
87%said yes 81% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Wiltshire figures pool parents at the Wiltshire schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

221 pupils in this year group.

49% — 4 points above the Wiltshire average, and 4 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 49% 45% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 49.8 46.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.6 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 58%This school 2023/24: 55%This school 2024/25: 49% This school England 45% 2022/23 58% 2023/24 55% 2024/25 49%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

253 pupils in this year group.

96% — 2 points above the Wiltshire average, and 4 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 45%25%19%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 96% 94% 92%
School sixth form 45% 43% 34%
Sixth form college 25% 6% 13%
Further education college 19% 38% 37%
Apprenticeship 4% 3% 3%
Work 2% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
96%96%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

118 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Average A level grade B- B- B-
A level exams graded A* or A 24% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 55% 54% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 36.1 35.4 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 40.3This school 2023/24: 36.2This school 2024/25: 36.1 This school England 35 2022/23 40.3 2023/24 36.2 2024/25 36.1

A level subjects, 2024/25

23 subjects, 352 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 36 22% 47% 40%
Sociology 34 18% 32% 20%
Economics 33 0% 21% 26%
History 30 3% 20% 23%
Psychology 29 0% 3% 19%
Physics 19 21% 32% 31%
Religious Studies 19 5% 5% 22%
Biology 18 6% 28% 27%
English Language 18 0% 11% 13%
Geography 16 19% 38% 23%
Chemistry 15 7% 27% 30%
Government and Politics 15 0% 20% 26%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 10 20% 30% 38%
English Literature 10 0% 20% 23%
Mathematics (Further) 10 50% 50% 59%
Spanish 9 0% 11% 34%
Computer Studies / Computing 7 14% 14% 24%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 7 0% 0% 17%
French 6 0% 17% 38%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Design and Technology (Product Design), Music, Design and Technology (Textiles Technology), German.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

84 students in this year group.

94% — 12 points above the Wiltshire average, and 15 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 94% 82% 79%
Apprenticeship 4% 7% 7%
Work 36% 38% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
91%94%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

116 students in this year group.

81% — 22 points above the Wiltshire average, and 21 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 81% 59% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 47% 23% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
84%81%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Wiltshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered270
Families who put it first257
Of those, offered a place257 (100%)
Families who listed it at all356

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

Admissions dates and schools in Wiltshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
23rd highest of 29 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Higher than 16% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
14.8% 18.7%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
19th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.9% 4.4%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
13th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Higher than 51% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
13.9% 12.7%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
18th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
5.5% 7.5%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
6th lowest of 28 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Lower than 71% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
7.1% 8.7%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
6th lowest of 28 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Lower than 73% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
18.5% 21.9%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
5th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Lower than 76% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
6.8 21.0 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
6th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Lower than 76% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
3.8% 6.8% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.01% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
22nd highest of 29 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Higher than 33% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.0 17.2 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 8th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Higher than 76% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
13.0 12.3 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
29th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Wiltshire.
Higher than 3% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
4.2% 12.9%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Questions parents ask

What is Malmesbury School's Ofsted rating?

Malmesbury School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 March 2024.

How did Malmesbury School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 49% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 4 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Malmesbury School?

87% of the 381 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Malmesbury School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Malmesbury School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 257 families put Malmesbury School as their first choice for 270 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 257 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.