The Stonehenge School Review 2026: Modern Ambition in an Ancient Landscape

Set in the historic town of Amesbury and taking its name from the world famous prehistoric monument nearby, The Stonehenge School serves a community where ancient heritage meets modern expansion. Over the past decade, the school has undergone a significant physical transformation, moving away from its original 1950s origins toward a campus that feels purpose built for the 21st century.

Mrs Carole Dean has led the school since September 2021, having previously served as deputy head. Her tenure has been defined by a focus on consistency and the completion of a multi-million-pound rebuilding project. The latest Ofsted inspection in September 2022 confirmed the school’s status as Good, marking two decades of consistent performance. As a mainstream community secondary for students aged 11 to 16, it provides an inclusive, mixed-gender environment for approximately 940 students at capacity.

The Stonehenge School is a place defined by its recent evolution. The atmosphere is calm and orderly, a result of clear expectations around behaviour and a commitment to mutual respect between staff and students. The physical environment has played a major role in this cultural shift; the replacement of older, dishevelled blocks with vibrant new buildings has created a sense of pride among the student body.

At the front of the site, a striking two-storey entrance building wrapped in robust brickwork welcomes visitors, while the central day-lit atrium provides a social hub for the students. The school functions as a close-knit community where pupils are described as polite and respectful. There is a palpable sense of momentum here, driven by a leadership team that has successfully navigated the challenges of expansion while maintaining the school's local, community-focused heart.

The Stonehenge School provides a solid academic baseline for its inclusive intake. In the most recent results cycle, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 40.3. While its Progress 8 score of -0.42 suggests that students, on average, perform slightly below the national rate for their starting points, the school is on an improving trajectory as the new, more rigorous curriculum takes hold.

According to FindMySchool rankings based on official data, the school ranks 3311th in England and 9th among 15 secondary schools in the Salisbury local area for GCSE outcomes. This performance sits in the national lower band, reflecting the school’s position as a non-selective community provider. Within the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) framework, 2.5% of students achieved a grade 5 or above across the core subjects, with an average EBacc APS score of 3.14.

Teaching follows a carefully structured and ambitious curriculum. Since 2022, leadership has focused on ensuring that the concepts students need to learn are planned with precision. In the latest inspection, official assessments highlighted that teachers have expert subject knowledge and use new systems effectively to support student attendance and punctuality.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, ensuring that every student has access to a variety of pathways. Science and Mathematics are strengths, benefiting from the updated laboratory facilities. There is a significant emphasis on reading, with targeted support for students who enter with a reading age lower than their actual age. Specialised teaching and intervention spaces have been integrated into the new buildings specifically to support students with Special Educational Needs, ensuring that inclusion is a reality rather than just a policy.

Where Students Go Next

As a 11-16 school, the focus on post-16 transition is robust. The school’s re-developed PSHCE and careers advice programmes ensure that students are well-prepared for their next steps. Most students progress to local further education providers, including Salisbury 6th Form College and Wiltshire College.

The school maintains strong ties with local vocational providers and employers, particularly those associated with the nearby military garrisons and the technical sectors in Salisbury. This ensures that students are aware of a wide range of pathways, including T-levels and apprenticeships, alongside traditional A-level routes.

Admissions are coordinated by Wiltshire Council. The Stonehenge School has seen a significant increase in demand, reflecting both the local housing growth in Amesbury and the school’s improved facilities. For the most recent intake, the school was oversubscribed, receiving 319 applications for 213 places.

The subscription proportion of 1.5 indicates that entry is becoming increasingly competitive. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to the last distance offered. Proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place; distances vary annually based on applicant distribution.

Pastoral care is a cornerstone of the school’s identity. A strong culture of safeguarding exists, and students report feeling safe and well-supported. The school has launched new behaviour systems that add clarity and allow for positive steps to re-establish routines when expectations are not met.

The school places a high priority on emotional health and wellbeing, with dedicated staff available to support students navigating the challenges of adolescence. The atmosphere is one of mutual respect, where the vast majority of pupils are polite and engage positively with their peers and teachers.

The extracurricular offer at The Stonehenge School is expanding in line with its new specialist facilities.

STEM: Technical Excellence

The school utilises its modern science laboratories and ICT suites to foster a passion for technical subjects. Science clubs and participation in regional mathematics challenges are encouraged, helping students to apply their classroom knowledge to practical, competitive scenarios.

Creative & Performing Arts

The school’s £6 million Performing Arts facility, completed in late 2023, is the jewel in its crown. It features a large hall with top-specification sound and lighting, tiered seating, and a large screen that doubles as a lecture theatre. Alongside this, the new drama studio, activity studio, and music practice rooms provide a professional-grade environment for students to explore their creative talents.

Sport and Outdoor Education

Physical education is well-supported by a new fitness studio and updated changing rooms. The school field and courts host a variety of sports including football, netball, and athletics. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme is also active, encouraging students to develop resilience and leadership through outdoor expeditions.

The school day begins at 8:40am and ends at 3:00pm. While the school is a secondary provider, many families in the Amesbury area look for wraparound care; however, The Stonehenge School focuses on after-school clubs and enrichment rather than formal childcare.

Nearest transport links include local bus services from Salisbury and the surrounding villages. For travel specifics or to confirm the current schedule of extracurricular activities, families should contact the school directly.

• No Sixth Form: Families must prepare for a transition at age 16. While local colleges are strong, students must be ready to manage the move to a new environment for their A-level or vocational studies.
• Expansion Pressure: As the school grows and Amesbury expands, the school is operating at or near capacity. This may lead to larger class sizes in some year groups compared to smaller, more rural schools.
• Oversubscribed Status: With 1.5 applications for every place, securing entry requires living within the designated area or meeting higher-priority criteria.

The Stonehenge School is a community secondary that has successfully transformed its physical environment to match its academic ambitions. With its state-of-the-art performing arts facilities and a newly structured curriculum, it offers a modern and supportive education in a town of significant historical importance. Best suited to local students who want a mainstream, inclusive education with excellent facilities for the arts and sciences. The challenge lies in admission rather than what follows; for those who secure a place, the school provides a stable and vibrant platform for growth.