Sitting on a sprawling, tree-lined campus off Hardenhuish Lane, Sheldon School operates as a significant educational hub for Chippenham. With nearly 1,700 students, this is a large, mixed comprehensive that manages to feel smaller than its numbers suggest, largely thanks to a deeply embedded house system. The school’s ethos is captured in its simple, direct motto: Be Kind, Be Brave, Be The Best You.
Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2024, the school balances academic solidity with a distinct emphasis on character. It is not an exam factory; while results are respectable, the atmosphere leans towards developing well-rounded citizens rather than purely chasing league table positions. For families in North Wiltshire, Sheldon represents the reliable, grounded choice where sporting opportunities and pastoral care sit on equal footing with GCSE grades.
The campus shares a boundary with Hardenhuish School, creating a vast educational quarter on the edge of town. The site is extensive, a mix of 1970s blocks and modern additions, set within generous green space that allows the student body to breathe. At break times, the energy is palpable but contained; the "Sheldon shuffle" in the corridors is a well-known local phenomenon, handled with good humour by staff and students alike.
Mr Peter Lynch took the helm as Headteacher in September 2023. His leadership has focused on reinforcing the school's core values and maintaining high standards of behaviour. The recent Ofsted inspection noted that students are proud of their school and feel safe, a sign of the culture he and his team foster.
The house system is the beating heart of Sheldon. Students are allocated to one of six houses—Beavan, Brady, Keller, Mandela, Owen, or Turing—upon arrival. This isn't just for sports day; it defines the pastoral structure. Tutor groups are vertical, mixing students from Year 7 to Year 11. This arrangement breaks down age barriers, meaning a terrified Year 7 quickly knows a Year 11 who can point them to the Science block. The rivalry in the House Championship is fierce but friendly, covering everything from netball to debating.
The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Sheldon’s academic performance is solid, sitting comfortably within the "national typical" band. In 2024, the school ranked 54th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool composite ranking) and 2nd locally, reflecting its status as a strong performer in Chippenham.
At GCSE, the Attainment 8 score of 45.7 aligns closely with the England average of 45.9. The Progress 8 score of -0.1 indicates that students make progress broadly in line with expectations given their starting points. While not an outlier for value-added, the school consistently delivers outcomes that keep doors open.
In the Sixth Form, the picture is similar. The school ranked 1,249th in England for A-level outcomes in 2024. Nearly half of all grades (49.44%) were A*-B, slightly above the England average for state schools. The A-level programme is robust, catering to a wide range of abilities and subject interests.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
49.44%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum is broad and ambitious. In Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), students cover the full National Curriculum with generous time allocated to arts and technology. Languages are a feature; students typically study French or Spanish, with opportunities to pick up German.
Teaching follows clear, structured routines. The 2024 inspection highlighted that teachers have strong subject knowledge and present information clearly. In the Sixth Form, the relationship shifts to a more collegiate style. The dedicated Sixth Form Centre provides a bridge between school and university life, with students taking greater responsibility for their independent study.
Support for Special Educational Needs (SEN) is well-integrated. The Learning Support department works closely with the pastoral teams to ensure students with additional needs can access the full curriculum.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
Sheldon students pursue diverse paths, reflecting the school's comprehensive nature. In 2024, 42% of leavers progressed to university. A significant 35% moved directly into employment, a figure well above the national norm, suggesting the school’s careers advice is pragmatic and attuned to the local job market.
For the academic high-flyers, the pathway to elite institutions exists. In the 2024 cycle, 11 students applied to Oxbridge, with one securing a place at Cambridge. While not a conveyer belt to the dreaming spires, the support is there for those with the aptitude and drive.
Apprenticeships are also a popular route, with 6% of the cohort securing placements. The school has built strong links with local employers and engineering firms in the M4 corridor, providing viable alternatives to the traditional university route.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 9.1%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
0
Offers
Admission to Sheldon is handled by Wiltshire Council. The school is popular and often receives more applications than it has places. In the most recent intake, there were 466 applications for the Year 7 cohort, resulting in a subscription ratio of 2.2 applications per place.
Despite this high demand, the school works hard to accommodate local families. The "Oversubscribed" status indicates popularity, but historical data suggests that catchment families usually secure places. The published admission number (PAN) is typically around 280.
Priorities for admission follow the standard Wiltshire protocol: Looked After Children first, followed by vulnerable children, siblings of current students, and then distance from the school. The deadline for secondary applications is 31 October for entry the following September.
Parents comparing local performance can use the Local Hub page to view these results side-by-side using the Comparison Tool.
Applications
466
Total received
Places Offered
212
Subscription Rate
2.2x
Apps per place
Pastoral care is delivered primarily through the house system. The vertical tutoring model means each tutor sees their tutees for twenty minutes every morning, checking in on wellbeing as much as academic progress. Heads of House are powerful figures in the school, acting as the primary point of contact for families.
The school employs non-teaching Pastoral Support Managers who are available throughout the day to deal with issues as they arise. This ensures that minor wobbles don't escalate into crises. The "Be Kind" element of the motto is reinforced through anti-bullying initiatives and a culture that encourages students to report concerns.
The extracurricular offer at Sheldon is extensive, leveraging the school’s sheer size to run clubs that smaller schools could not sustain.
Sport is a major pillar. The facilities are impressive, including a large sports hall, dance studio, gym, and extensive playing fields. Sheldon teams compete regionally in football, rugby, netball, and athletics. The "Olympiad" leisure centre next door is also utilised. Participation is high, and the House Sports events are highlights of the calendar.
Creativity flourishes here. The music department is lively, with choirs, bands, and an orchestra that perform regularly. The connection to former student Jamie Cullum serves as perpetual inspiration for budding musicians. Drama productions are ambitious, often involving large casts and technical crews drawn from the student body.
The Ten Tors challenge is a rite of passage for many, cultivating resilience on the slopes of Dartmoor. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, with high uptake. For those inclined towards STEM, clubs such as Coding and Robotics provide outlets for technical creativity. Unusually specific clubs such as the Reptile Club and Plant Medicine Club demonstrate the staff's willingness to share personal passions.
As a state-funded academy, there are no tuition fees for attending Sheldon School. Education is free for all students. Parents may be asked for voluntary contributions for specific trips, residential visits, or specialist materials in technology subjects, but these are not compulsory. The school runs a cashless catering system and support is available for families eligible for Free School Meals.
State-funded school (families may still pay for uniforms, trips, and optional activities).
The school day begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:00pm. The site is located on Hardenhuish Lane, Chippenham, SN14 6HJ.
Transport is a key consideration given the wide catchment. Many students travel by bus from surrounding villages. Wiltshire Council organises transport for eligible students, while others use public services or private contracts. The proximity to the A350 makes car drop-off possible, though traffic on Hardenhuish Lane can be heavy at peak times.
Size and scale. With nearly 1,700 students, Sheldon is a large institution. While the house system breaks this down, quieter students will need to find their niche to avoid feeling lost in the crowd.
Mixed ability groups. As a true comprehensive, classes in lower years often contain a wide range of abilities. Parents of highly academic children should ensure they are comfortable with how the school stretches the top end within this context.
The "Hardenhuish" dynamic. Sharing a boundary with another large secondary school creates a unique local dynamic. Families often agonise over the choice between Sheldon and Hardenhuish; in reality, both are strong schools, and the decision often comes down to which campus "feels" right for the child.
Sheldon School is a reassuringly solid comprehensive that serves its community with dedication. It offers a "middle way" between high-pressure academic hothouses and schools that focus solely on pastoral care. Here, a student can be a rugby captain, a musician, or a mathematician, supported by a house system that ensures they are known and valued. Best suited to families in Chippenham and the surrounding villages who want a grounded, well-rounded education where character counts as much as grades. The main challenge is securing a place in a popular year group.
Yes. Sheldon School was rated Good by Ofsted in February 2024. Inspectors praised the ambitious curriculum, good behaviour, and the pride students take in their school. Academic results are solid, sitting in line with national averages.
Sheldon does not have a fixed map-based catchment area. Places are allocated based on distance from the school gate, after priority groups (siblings, Looked After Children) are serviced. The effective catchment distance varies annually based on the number of siblings and local demand.
Applications for Year 7 entry are managed by Wiltshire Council. You must apply via the council's online portal by the national deadline of 31 October. For Sixth Form places, applications are made directly to the school.
Yes, Sheldon has a large and successful Sixth Form. It includes A-level and vocational courses. Students from other local schools often join Sheldon for Year 12, attracted by the breadth of subjects and the dedicated Sixth Form Centre.
The school operates a vertical house system with six houses: Beavan, Brady, Keller, Mandela, Owen, and Turing. Tutor groups include students from Years 7 to 11, fostering mentoring and community across age groups. Siblings are usually placed in the same house.
Get in touch with the school directly
Disclaimer
Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
Our rankings, metrics, and assessments are derived from this data using our own methodologies and represent our independent analysis rather than official standings.
While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information is current, complete, or error-free. Data may change without notice, and schools and/or local authorities should be contacted directly to verify any details before making decisions.
FindMySchool does not endorse any particular school, and rankings reflect specific metrics rather than overall quality.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on information provided. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us.
