St Laurence School

Perched above the honey-coloured buildings of this historic market town, St Laurence School serves as the sole secondary option for Bradford-on-Avon families and draws pupils from thirty feeder schools across the surrounding area. The Wiltshire Music Centre, with its 300-seat concert hall and acclaimed acoustics, sits within the school grounds, providing pupils with access to facilities typically reserved for conservatoire-level institutions. Academic outcomes sit solidly in line with the middle tier of schools in England, but a Progress 8 score of +0.45 tells a more impressive story: pupils here make significantly better progress than their starting points predict. For families seeking a comprehensive school with genuine pastoral care, strong arts provision, and an authentic community atmosphere, this Church of England academy delivers without pretension.

The school occupies a 1970s campus on the edge of town, where functional buildings cluster around expansive playing fields. Beneath those fields lies an unexpected treasure: Roman villa remains, including floor mosaics uncovered during excavations in 2003. This accidental heritage seems fitting for a school that values substance over show. The site, acquired when Trinity Secondary Modern relocated in 1962, provided the space necessary for comprehensive education that the cramped Junction Road site of the predecessor grammar school could never offer.

Tim Farrer has led the school since January 2021, arriving from Shaftesbury School with a background in English and drama teaching. He maintains a visible presence, still teaching English and drama alongside his leadership duties. A marathon runner who trained actors in Macbeth, his leadership style combines accessibility with high expectations. The previous headteacher, Fergus Stewart, had built on the school's performing arts specialism before Farrer's arrival.

The school motto, People are our treasure, reflects an ethos where individual development matters as much as academic achievement. This is not mere sentiment; the vertical tutor system that places Year 7 pupils alongside sixth formers creates cross-age mentoring that Ofsted inspectors noted as a particular strength. Younger students learn from older peers while sixth formers develop responsibility and leadership skills. The arrangement feels deliberate rather than experimental, embedded in how the school functions daily.

Despite the Church of England foundation and links to the Diocese of Salisbury, faith plays no part in admissions. The school's dual foundation status, shared with the Lord Fitzmaurice Educational Trust, connects it to the predecessor grammar school that merged with Trinity Secondary Modern in September 1980 to create St Laurence. The name honours the Saxon church in Bradford-on-Avon, one of the finest surviving examples of Anglo-Saxon architecture in England, rather than St Aldhelm, who founded the original monastery but whose primary associations lie with Malmesbury Abbey.

The pupil to teacher ratio of 18:1 ensures manageable class sizes. With 76 teachers and 22 teaching assistants serving approximately 1,386 pupils, the school maintains staffing levels that support both academic and pastoral needs. The atmosphere across the campus is purposeful without being pressured, a balance that reflects the comprehensive mission of serving all abilities within a supportive community.

GCSE Results

At GCSE, the school achieves results that place it firmly within the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), ranking 1,457th in England (FindMySchool ranking). Locally, however, St Laurence stands first among Bradford-on-Avon secondaries, a position it has maintained consistently.

The Attainment 8 score of 53.3 sits above the England average of 45.9, indicating that pupils achieve grades above what might be expected from a truly comprehensive intake. More telling is the Progress 8 score of +0.45, indicating that pupils make substantially better progress than expected given their starting points. This metric matters particularly for comprehensive schools, where raw attainment figures can obscure the value being added.

In 2025, 55% of pupils achieved grades 9-5 in both English and mathematics, with 28% securing grades 9-7 across their subjects. English literature results are notably strong, with boys outperforming girls in this subject, an unusual pattern that suggests particularly effective teaching approaches in the English department. The head of faculty system has delivered consistency in this area.

Setting begins in Year 8 for mathematics and languages, while Year 7 pupils experience mixed ability teaching across subjects. This approach allows pupils to settle before being grouped by ability, reducing the risk of early tracking based on incomplete evidence. French and German are both offered from Year 7, with pupils choosing one or two languages from Year 8. The school does not pressure language study at GCSE, reflecting a pragmatic approach to curriculum choices that prioritises engagement over compulsion. The EBacc entry rate of 11.1% reflects this philosophy, lower than the England average but consistent with a school that respects individual pathways.

A-Level Results

The sixth form achieves A-level results that place it 809th in England (FindMySchool ranking), sitting within the middle 35% of schools in England for post-16 outcomes. Locally, St Laurence ranks first in Bradford-on-Avon for A-level performance, the dominant post-16 provider in this part of Wiltshire.

In 2025, 32% of grades reached A*/A, with 63% achieving A*-B. These figures compare to England averages of 23.6% at A*/A and 47.2% at A*-B, demonstrating performance notably above average. The school offers over twenty A-level subjects, predominantly traditional academic choices with criminology recently added to the roster. English, biology, and psychology prove most popular, though the school will run subjects even with small cohorts, prioritising student choice over efficiency. This commitment to breadth ensures sixth formers can pursue genuine interests rather than being channelled into popular subjects.

The combined A-level and GCSE ranking of 774th in England reflects the school's strength across both phases. The sixth form, with approximately 289 students, has grown substantially and now operates from a dedicated Sixth Form Centre with bespoke IT facilities, study spaces, and social areas. Sixth form students retain integration with the wider school through the vertical tutor system while gaining appropriate independence.

Teaching follows a traditional academic model with clear expectations. Class sizes remain manageable, and the curriculum benefits from specialist facilities across multiple subjects. Staff expertise is strong, with teachers encouraged to maintain their own development and many contributing to extracurricular provision beyond their teaching loads.

The science laboratories have been modernised, while the eco-friendly Moulton maths block, with its distinctive turf roof, bears the name of its benefactor, the local Moulton Bicycle Company. These investments reflect ongoing commitment to practical learning environments. The science department consistently achieves strong results, with mathematics and science pulling in top grades alongside English.

The school has maintained Performing Arts College status since 2000, Wiltshire's first such designation, resulting in substantial investment in drama, music, and dance facilities. A lecture theatre added in 2007 and an independent learning centre completed in 2011 demonstrate continued infrastructure development even as government specialist school funding evolved.

The library provides a spacious, zoned environment for independent study. The canteen has been upgraded with good food provision in a roomy setting. The independent learning centre supports research and extended study, giving students space beyond the classroom for academic work.

SEND provision supports a significant proportion of the school population, with 21% of pupils receiving SEN support and 2% holding EHCPs. This is higher than many secondaries and reflects the comprehensive intake and the school's willingness to support diverse needs. The tiered support system, with trained Year 12 peer mentors handling initial concerns before escalation to heads of house, the chaplain, or the school counsellor, ensures appropriate intervention levels. More serious concerns receive prioritised attention from the school counsellor based on severity.

Approximately half of Year 11 pupils leave after GCSEs, predominantly to Bath College and Wiltshire College for further education. This reflects the comprehensive intake and varied pathways available to young people in the area. The school supports these transitions, recognising that A-levels are not the only route to successful futures.

For those remaining into sixth form, university progression is strong. In the 2023/24 cohort of 122 leavers, 52% progressed to university, with 7% entering further education, 2% starting apprenticeships, and 27% moving into employment. Birmingham and Exeter currently prove most popular university destinations, reflecting the school's West Country location and strong connections with regional universities.

Oxbridge success exists but remains modest. Nine students applied in the measurement period, with one securing a Cambridge place. The acceptance rate of 11% on applications reflects the intense competition for these places, but the school continues to support ambitious applicants. Three students gained medical school offers in 2025, a notable achievement given the demanding entry requirements. The school offers massive breadth in university course choices, supporting everything from traditional academic subjects to vocational degrees.

The school maintains realistic expectations given its comprehensive intake while providing the support necessary for competitive applications. Preparation for university entrance examinations, personal statement writing, and interview practice are all available for students pursuing selective courses.

As an academy, St Laurence sets its own admissions policy through the governing body, though applications are processed through Wiltshire Local Authority. The school offers 232 Year 7 places annually, drawing from thirty feeder schools, though five local primaries supply the lion's share of pupils. A small number join from local independent preparatory schools, attracted by the facilities and sixth form provision.

The school operates a non-selective policy, accepting applicants irrespective of gender, religion, ethnicity, disability, or academic ability. This is subject to the school being able to meet reasonable, specific needs within available resources. With 332 applications for 221 offers in recent years, the school is oversubscribed by a factor of 1.5. Making St Laurence a first preference by the 31st October deadline proves advisable.

The catchment area historically covered Bradford-on-Avon, Monkton Farleigh, Winsley, Limpley Stoke, South Wraxall, and Atworth. Restrictions relaxed in the 1990s now allow applications from further afield, including Trowbridge and Melksham, broadening the school's demographic reach and bringing pupil premium levels closer to the area average for the first time. The school's capacity of 1,380 is nearly filled with current roll of approximately 1,386.

Open mornings for Year 5 families offer opportunities to tour during the school day, visit lessons, and meet senior staff. Places are limited and early booking is essential to avoid disappointment. One visit per family is requested. The school also runs taster days for primary school pupils, with 60 spaces available for Year 5 children to experience lessons taught by St Laurence staff with support from student helpers.

Induction days for accepted Year 6 pupils take place in early July, typically on the 3rd and 10th, with a parents' evening preceding the transition days. The first day requires primary school uniform; the second day requires PE kit. These structured transition events ease the move to secondary education.

Sixth Form Entry

External applicants are welcome to join at sixth form, with 30 to 40 students typically entering at this point annually. Applications are made directly to the school rather than through the local authority.

Entry requirements specify grade 4+ in five GCSEs, including English and mathematics. Subject-specific requirements apply for A-level choices: grade 5 in intended subjects, rising to grade 6 for mathematics and sciences. Between 70-80% of Year 11 pupils meet these criteria for internal progression. Students can apply irrespective of gender, religion, ethnicity, or disability.

Parents considering sixth form entry can use the FindMySchool Comparison Tool to compare A-level results with other local providers.

The pastoral system operates through vertical tutor groups, mixing all year groups to facilitate peer support. This arrangement, praised by Ofsted inspectors in 2022, creates natural mentoring relationships and breaks down age barriers. Tutor groups become communities where older students support younger ones and relationships develop across year groups.

A tiered approach to welfare support begins with trained Year 12 peer mentors, escalating to heads of house, the chaplain, or the school counsellor depending on severity. This layered system ensures concerns receive appropriate attention without overwhelming specialist staff with routine matters. The school counsellor prioritises according to severity, ensuring the most vulnerable receive timely support.

A phone ban operates during the school day, a decision introduced by the headteacher that reflects growing consensus about device-free learning environments. Behaviour expectations are clear, with strict uniform standards including blazers. The school maintains high expectations for conduct while providing support for those who struggle.

Student-led societies address contemporary concerns, including groups for feminism and LGBTQ+ students. The Gender Sexuality Alliance provides peer support, demonstrating the school's responsiveness to student voice on wellbeing matters. These societies reflect genuine student leadership rather than tokenistic consultation.

Bullying occasionally occurs, as in any large school, but staff handle such incidents effectively according to Ofsted. The vertical tutor system contributes to a culture where peer support reduces isolation and older students look out for younger ones.

Music

The Wiltshire Music Centre transforms what would otherwise be standard school music provision into something exceptional. Built in 1996/97 and opened by Princess Anne on 29 April 1998, the centre provides nine workshop spaces and a 300-seat concert hall. The acoustics are reputed to be among the finest outside London, a claim that attracts professional musicians for evening concerts alongside school use during the day.

A third of pupils take instrumental or singing lessons, a remarkable proportion for a comprehensive school. The whole school orchestra performs alongside smaller ensembles, including an unusual six-cello group that demonstrates the depth of instrumental engagement. Few state schools can field six cellists. The choir performs successfully at local music festivals, building on strong traditions.

A-level music has recently been introduced, capitalising on the exceptional facilities and responding to student demand. The combination of world-class facilities, strong instrumental teaching, and academic rigour creates opportunities typically associated with specialist music schools or independent sector provision.

Drama and Dance

Drama benefits from the Performing Arts College investment, with productions ranging from lower school shows like Matilda to GCSE and A-level performance pieces. Trips to Bristol Old Vic expose students to professional theatre and expand cultural horizons. Mask work features in Year 7 drama curricula, introducing foundational techniques early, while older students have performed in Bristol too (for example, A Midsummer Night's Dream).

Dance has its own modern studio, supporting curricular and extracurricular activity. The space enables both formal teaching and student-led practice. LAMDA examinations are not offered, a gap in the performing arts provision that some families seeking speech and drama qualifications may note.

Art provision extends broadly up to A-level, encompassing textiles and food technology alongside fine art. Design technology projects include creative challenges like mini-skateboard construction. These practical subjects benefit from dedicated workshop spaces and specialist teaching.

Sport

Sport at St Laurence rejects traditional gender divisions. Boys play netball; girls play rugby. This inclusive approach to physical education ensures all pupils can access activities based on interest rather than assumption. Football, hockey, and athletics feature alongside less common offerings including climbing, rowing on the nearby River Avon, and swimming.

The facilities match the breadth of provision: large playing fields (with Roman remains beneath), a substantial sports hall, a separate gym and gymnastics area, courts, a dance studio, and an Astro pitch. The school holds current regional champion status in both cricket and cross-country, demonstrating competitive success alongside inclusive participation. Badminton proves popular among pupils.

Extracurricular Programme

Clubs run Monday to Thursday from 3:15pm to 4:15pm, with late buses provided to encourage participation even for pupils from surrounding villages. Most activities are free and staff-led, covering art, Warhammer, LEGO, STEM, and numerous sporting options. Some societies operate as student-led initiatives, developing leadership skills.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme attracts strong participation at all levels. Residential opportunities include a Romania charity trip, World Challenge expeditions to Nepal, a business trip to New York, ski trips, and French and German exchanges. Sports tours extend competitive opportunities beyond local fixtures. Challenge weeks offer intensive residential experiences focused on confidence and leadership development.

The range of provision reflects the school's mission to develop the whole person. In all activities, the development of confidence, enjoyment, and leadership matter as much as high levels of performance and achievement.

The school day runs standard secondary hours. Most clubs conclude by 4:15pm, with late buses enabling participation for pupils travelling from surrounding villages. These transport arrangements remove barriers to extracurricular engagement.

The nearest station is Bradford-on-Avon, well-served by trains on the Wessex Main Line connecting Bath and Westbury. The town's compact size makes walking feasible for those living centrally, with the school situated on Ashley Road on the edge of town. Parking at the school is limited; families should check arrangements for drop-off and collection.

The canteen provides good food in a roomy setting. The sixth form centre offers dedicated IT spaces, social areas, and study facilities, giving post-16 students appropriate independence while remaining integrated within the school community through the vertical tutor system.

Comprehensive intake means varied outcomes. Nearly half of Year 11 pupils leave for further education colleges rather than continuing to sixth form. Families expecting a grammar school atmosphere will find something different here, though results show pupils make excellent progress from their starting points. The Progress 8 score of +0.45 indicates genuine value added.

The sole secondary option for the town. As Bradford-on-Avon's only secondary school, St Laurence serves a wide range of families and abilities. This creates genuine community cohesion but means alternatives require travel to Bath, Trowbridge, or beyond. For families committed to state education locally, there is no choice to make.

Oversubscribed but not prohibitively so. With 1.5 applications per place, securing entry requires attention to deadlines and preferences but does not approach the intense competition seen in some urban areas. First preference by 31st October remains advisable.

Church foundation without faith requirements. The Church of England character is genuine but not a barrier to admission. Church attendance is not used as an admissions criterion. Families should understand the Christian heritage without expecting intensive religious practice to dominate school life.

St Laurence School delivers exactly what a good comprehensive should: academic progress that exceeds expectations, genuine pastoral care, and exceptional arts facilities that would grace an independent school. The Wiltshire Music Centre alone makes this a remarkable proposition for musically inclined pupils, offering concert hall acoustics and professional-grade facilities within a state school setting.

Best suited to Bradford-on-Avon families seeking a school where individual development matters alongside results, where vertical tutoring creates cross-age community, and where opportunities from rowing to Romania extend learning beyond classrooms. The Progress 8 score of +0.45 demonstrates that pupils achieve more than their starting points predict, a metric that matters more than raw grades for understanding educational effectiveness.

Parents can use the FindMySchool Saved Schools feature to add St Laurence to their shortlist while researching sixth form options across the region.