Kingsdown School, Swindon Review 2026: A Focused Community School in Stratton St Margaret

Kingsdown School serves the Stratton St Margaret community in Swindon as a sizeable secondary academy for students aged 11 to 16. With a capacity for 1,260 students, the school operates as a central pillar of the local educational landscape. Since joining the River Learning Trust in 2017, Kingsdown has undergone a period of significant structural and cultural stabilization. Its 2024 GCSE results reflect a solid performance that aligns with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). The atmosphere is one of purposeful improvement, where clear expectations for behavior and a renewed focus on curriculum breadth define the daily experience for the mixed student body.

The school is situated on a large site on Hyde Road, characterized by a mix of original mid-century buildings and more recent additions. There is a tangible sense of order here; the school day is punctuated by structured transitions and a clear uniform policy that students appear to follow with consistency. Mrs. Emma Leigh-Bennett has led the school as Headteacher since 2017, overseeing its transition into academy status and its subsequent journey through the Ofsted framework. Her leadership is frequently associated with the "Kingsdown Lion" ethos, which encourages students to be brave, proud, and stretched in their ambitions.

As part of the River Learning Trust, Kingsdown benefits from shared resources and pedagogical links with other high-performing schools across the region. This partnership has brought a more standardized approach to teaching and learning, aiming to eliminate variability in the classroom. The school operates as a non-religious, inclusive environment where the diverse backgrounds of Swindon families are reflected in a community that feels grounded and local.

Academic performance at Kingsdown School tells a story of steady application. In 2024, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 41.5. While this is slightly below the England average of 46.2, it reflects the school's broad intake and its commitment to ensuring all students leave with a functional set of qualifications.

Kingsdown School ranks 2,483rd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and ranks 12th among secondary schools in Swindon. This placing puts the school in the "national typical" band, indicating a performance that is consistent with a large proportion of comprehensive schools across the country. The Progress 8 score of -0.37 suggests that while students are achieving solid grades, there is a continued focus on closing the gap between their starting points at age 11 and their final outcomes at 16.

For those pursuing the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), 15% of students achieved a grade 5 or above across the core subjects. This indicates a cohort that is successfully engaging with the most rigorous academic pathways provided by the school.

The curriculum at Kingsdown is designed to be "knowledge-rich," with a heavy emphasis on the mastery of core subjects in Key Stage 3 before students specialize for their GCSEs. The school has worked hard to ensure that the EBacc subjects, including Humanities and Modern Foreign Languages, are accessible to a wider range of learners.

Teaching follows a consistent structure, often involving "Do Now" activities to settle classes and clear learning objectives shared at the start of every period. Science and Mathematics are particular areas of focus, with the school utilizing modern laboratory facilities to support practical learning. External reviews confirm that teachers have high expectations of what students can achieve, and there is a visible effort to provide feedback that helps students understand their next steps.

Where Students Go Next

As an 11-16 school, Kingsdown places a high priority on the transition to post-16 education. The school does not have its own sixth form, which means students typically move on to local providers such as New College Swindon or Cirencester College.

The school employs a dedicated careers advisor and hosts an annual careers fair to help Year 11 students navigate their options. A significant number of students progress to Level 3 vocational courses and A-levels, while others secure apprenticeships with major local employers in the engineering and automotive sectors, reflecting Swindon’s industrial heritage.

Kingsdown School is a popular choice within its local area. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school was oversubscribed, receiving 338 applications for 232 available places. This resulted in a subscription proportion of 1.46, meaning roughly three applications were made for every two places offered.

Admissions are coordinated by Swindon Borough Council. Priority is given to looked-after children, followed by those with siblings already at the school and those living within the designated catchment area of Stratton St Margaret and South Marston. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates to understand their likelihood of securing a place based on previous years' intake patterns.

Pastoral care is organized through a year-group system, with each year led by a Progress Leader and supported by a team of tutors. This structure ensures that every student has a consistent point of contact who understands their academic and emotional needs. The "Kingsdown Way" is the school's framework for behavior, emphasizing respect and responsibility.

The school has been praised for its inclusive approach to students with additional needs. While Kingsdown does not have designated special classes, the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and a team of teaching assistants provide targeted support within the mainstream classroom. Safeguarding is treated as a priority, with clear systems in place for students to report concerns.

Extracurricular life at Kingsdown provides a balance to the academic day. The school is particularly active in the local sports leagues, with football, netball, and rugby being staples of the physical education department. The school’s indoor sports hall and expansive playing fields host regular fixtures against other Swindon secondaries.

STEM Excellence

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is a notable pillar of the school's extracurricular offering. Kingsdown has previously participated in the "Lego League" robotics competitions and runs a popular Science Club where students engage in experiments beyond the standard curriculum. The school also maintains links with local STEM-based industries, providing students with insight into the practical applications of their classroom learning.

Creative arts are represented through annual drama productions and a choir that performs at community events. Named clubs such as the "Debating Society" and "Eco-Club" allow students to explore personal interests and develop leadership skills.

The school day at Kingsdown typically begins at 8:40 am and concludes at 3:10 pm. A range of after-school clubs usually runs until 4:15 pm. For travel, the school is well-served by local bus routes connecting Stratton St Margaret to the center of Swindon. There is limited on-site parking for visitors, but the school encourages walking and cycling for local students, providing secure bike storage on the premises.

• Oversubscription risks: With 1.46 applications for every place, Kingsdown is frequently oversubscribed. Families living on the fringes of the catchment area should have a clear secondary backup, as proximity is the deciding factor once siblings are accounted for.
• No on-site Sixth Form: Because the school ends at Year 11, students must be prepared to transition to a new environment at age 16. While the school manages this transition well, it requires students to be proactive in their college applications during Year 11.
• Progress 8 focus: The school’s current Progress 8 score of -0.37 indicates that while many students achieve well, the school is still working to maximize the progress of every individual. Parents seeking an "elite" academic hothouse may find the pace more measured here than at a grammar school.

Kingsdown School is a reliable, community-focused academy that provides a stable and disciplined environment for Swindon’s young people. It suits families who value a clear sense of order, a knowledge-rich curriculum, and a school that is deeply integrated into its local neighborhood. Best suited to students who thrive in a structured setting and are looking for a broad, inclusive education. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature on FindMySchool to manage their shortlist and compare Kingsdown with other local providers.