SchoolScoresThe Deanery CofE Academy
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Anglican/Church of England
Part of THE PARK ACADEMIES TRUST
Peglars Way, Wichelstowe, Swindon, SN1 7DA
01793 236611 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Inadequate at the inspection that started on 12 September 2023. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
Category of concern: Special measures.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Inadequate |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Inadequate |
| Leadership and management | Inadequate |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
247 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Swindon comparisons use the 6 of its 16 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 10 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.
| Statement | This school | Swindon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Swindon. Higher than 8% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 70% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Swindon. Higher than 8% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 77% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Swindon. Higher than 4% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 33% | 64% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 137 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Swindon. Higher than 17% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 36% | 42% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 221 parents who had raised a concern 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Swindon. Higher than 5% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 37% | 54% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Swindon. Higher than 3% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 31%said yes | 63% | 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. Swindon figures pool parents at the Swindon 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
161 pupils in this year group.
50% — 7 points above the Swindon average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Swindon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 50% | 43% | 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. | 46.6 | 44 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Not published | Not published | 50% |
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.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Swindon. 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 104 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 46 |
| Of those, offered a place | 46 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 210 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.3 · 2026: 0.4
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.
This is a Anglican/Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has a SEN unit with 60 places for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia); Visual impairment; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Physical disability; Moderate learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Swindon | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Swindon. Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.9% | 25.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 12th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Swindon. Higher than 45% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.7% | 3.6%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 14th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Swindon. Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3% | 14.8%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 16 state secondary schools in Swindon. Higher than 81% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 32.8% | 19.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Swindon. Lower than 39% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 8.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 11th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Swindon. Lower than 41% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 25.3% | 23.7%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 12th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Swindon. Lower than 11% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 50.8 | 34.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 12th lowest of 16 state secondary schools in Swindon. Lower than 22% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1% | 9.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils | 0.65% | 0.26% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 15th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Swindon. Higher than 9% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.3 | 17.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 15th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Swindon. Higher than 8% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.5 | 11.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 8th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Swindon. Higher than 49% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 13.1% | 13.0%* | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- The Commonweal School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed, may be improving 2023 · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- UTC Swindon 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 62% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lydiard Park Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lawn Manor Academy 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Nova Hreod Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Joseph's Catholic College 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- Swindon Academy 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 5 expected · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Deanery CofE Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Deanery CofE Academy was rated Inadequate by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 September 2023.
How did The Deanery CofE Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 50% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Deanery CofE Academy?
31% of the 247 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend The Deanery CofE Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Deanery CofE Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 46 families put The Deanery CofE Academy as their first choice for 104 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 46 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 151305.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.