The John of Gaunt School

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

Part of EQUA MEAD LEARNING TRUST

Wingfield Road, Trowbridge, BA14 9EH

01225 762637 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 4 March 2014; confirmed 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths39%England 45% · 2024/25
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Higher than 36% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,295Room for 1,618 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,067 in 2019, 1,136 in 2021, 1,171 in 2022, 1,254 in 2023, 1,260 in 2024, 1,252 in 2025, 1,295 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0221 for 226 places, September 2026
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Higher than 56% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 4 March 2014.

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 educationGood
Outcomes for pupilsGood
Leadership and managementGood

Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 24 January 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

176 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
9th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wiltshire.
Higher than 35% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
78% 82% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 9th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wiltshire.
Higher than 36% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
81% 86% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
11th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wiltshire.
Higher than 38% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
73% 79% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 82 parents whose child had been bullied
Joint 5th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wiltshire.
Higher than 66% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
55% 49% 50%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 155 parents who had raised a concern
8th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wiltshire.
Higher than 54% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
72% 69% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
Joint 7th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wiltshire.
Higher than 46% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
78%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

234 pupils in this year group.

39% — 6 points below the Wiltshire average, and 7 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 39% 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. 44.3 46.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.8 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 34%This school 2023/24: 28%This school 2024/25: 39% This school England 45% 2022/23 34% 2023/24 28% 2024/25 39%

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.

204 pupils in this year group.

94% — about the same as the Wiltshire average, and 2 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 23%64%
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. 94% 94% 92%
School sixth form 23% 43% 34%
Sixth form college 0% 6% 13%
Further education college 64% 38% 37%
Apprenticeship 4% 3% 3%
Work 2% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%94%

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

49 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Average A level grade C B- B-
A level exams graded A* or A 15% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 35% 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. 29.4 35.4 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 31.5This school 2023/24: 32.9This school 2024/25: 29.4 This school England 35 2022/23 31.5 2023/24 32.9 2024/25 29.4

A level subjects, 2024/25

15 subjects, 114 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Geography 17 6% 12% 23%
Psychology 15 13% 20% 19%
Biology 13 8% 23% 27%
Law 12 0% 8% 17%
Sociology 10 0% 10% 20%
Chemistry 9 11% 33% 30%
Mathematics 8 0% 38% 40%
History 6 0% 0% 23%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 6 0% 0% 14%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Business Studies:Single, English Literature, Art and Design, Physics, Spanish, Art and Design (Photography).

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.

50 students in this year group.

86% — 4 points above the Wiltshire average, and 7 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. 86% 82% 79%
Apprenticeship 4% 7% 7%
Work 22% 38% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
90%86%

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.

59 students in this year group.

68% — 9 points above the Wiltshire average, and 8 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 68% 59% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 14% 23% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
71%68%

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 offered226
Families who put it first221
Of those, offered a place221 (100%)
Families who listed it at all351

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

Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 30 places for other difficulties or disabilities. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.

PupilsThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
23.4% 18.7%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Higher than 92% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.1% 4.4%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Higher than 66% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
16.0% 12.7%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Higher than 51% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
12.6% 7.5%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Lower than 34% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
9.3% 8.7%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Lower than 47% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
24.1% 21.9%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Lower than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
8.2 21.0 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Lower than 67% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
4.8% 6.8% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.01% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Higher than 27% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
15.7 17.2 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Higher than 33% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
11.1 12.3 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Trowbridge.
Higher than 9% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
6.3% 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.

SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is The John of Gaunt School's Ofsted rating?

The John of Gaunt School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 March 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 24 January 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.

How did The John of Gaunt School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 39% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend The John of Gaunt School?

78% of the 176 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend The John of Gaunt School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is The John of Gaunt School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 221 families put The John of Gaunt School as their first choice for 226 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 221 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.