Lydiard Park Academy Review 2026: Potential into Performance

Lydiard Park Academy (LPA) serves West Swindon with a clear, driven ethos: "Potential into Performance". Since converting from Greendown Community School, it has established itself as a popular choice, anchoring The Park Academies Trust. The school benefits from a spacious site adjacent to Lydiard Park, providing a green backdrop that belies its busy comprehensive character.

The atmosphere is purposeful and disciplined. Under the long-standing leadership of Principal Gary Pearson, the academy has maintained a reputation for stability, though families should note that a leadership transition is expected in September 2026. The structure is traditional, with a strong House system named after pioneers—Moore, Holmes, Pascal, and Berners-Lee—fostering competition and community.

Competition for places is fierce. The school is consistently oversubscribed, drawing families not just from Grange Park but across West Swindon who value its "Good" Ofsted status and reliable outcomes. The specialist Autism Support Centre (ASC) is a key feature, offering 15 places for students with specific needs, integrating them into the life of the main school while providing necessary sanctuary.

At drop-off, the gates reveal a school that balances its history as a Sports College with modern academic ambitions. Students move with purpose, and uniform standards are high. The learning environment is structured; visitors often comment on the calm corridors and the polite interactions between year groups.

The "Potential into Performance" motto is not just signage; it drives the curriculum and pastoral care. The school champions a growth mindset, encouraging students to see ability as fluid rather than fixed. This is supported by the House system, where students compete not just in sports but in arts and academic challenges, creating a vibrant internal culture.

Facilities support this breadth. The legacy of the Sports College status is evident in the expansive playing fields and sports hall, while newer investments have upgraded science laboratories and sixth form spaces. The integration of the Sixth Form into The Park Academies Trust Sixth Form (TPAT Sixth Form) adds a collegiate feel to the upper years, with students often feeling part of a larger educational community.

Lydiard Park Academy consistently delivers solid outcomes. In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.19, indicating that students make above-average progress from their primary school starting points. This places the school in the top 45% of schools in England for progress.

Ranked 2,067th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 7th in Swindon, the school performs in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (national typical band). The average Attainment 8 score of 46.6 sits slightly above the England average of 45.9.

Performance in the core curriculum is steady. While the percentage of students achieving the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) at grade 5 or higher was 12.6%, this reflects a curriculum choice to maintain breadth rather than forcing all students into the Ebacc bucket.

The curriculum is designed to keep doors open. Key Stage 3 covers a broad base, including discreet sciences and languages, before students select options. Teaching is characterised by clear instruction and consistent routines, ensuring that lessons are focused on learning rather than behaviour management.

The school's history as a specialist sports college still permeates the culture. PE is taught with academic rigour, and the BTEC Sport pathways are particularly strong. Beyond sport, the school has developed a good reputation for its support of STEM subjects, with recent investments in computing and technology resources.

For students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), the provision is robust. The Autism Support Centre provides expert assistance, and this expertise often bleeds into mainstream teaching, with staff well-versed in adaptive strategies that benefit all learners.

LPA challenges the "university-only" definition of success. The careers programme is pragmatic and effective, reflected in the 2024 destination data where 47% of leavers moved directly into employment—a figure significantly higher than the national norm. This suggests a school that listens to the local labour market and prepares students effectively for the world of work.

For those pursuing the academic route, the pathway is clear. 34% of students progressed to university in 2024. The Sixth Form, operating as part of the TPAT Sixth Form, provides the academic rigour needed for top-tier entry. In 2024, seven students applied to Oxbridge, with one securing a place at Cambridge.

The Sixth Form A-level results rank 1,615th in England. While 44% of grades were A*-B, the percentage of top grades (A*/A) was 14.6%, lower than the England average. This indicates that while the Sixth Form supports the majority well, the most academic high-flyers will need to be self-driven to achieve the very highest grades.

Admission to Year 7 is coordinated by Swindon Borough Council. Lydiard Park Academy is a comprehensive school but is heavily oversubscribed. In 2024, the school received 415 applications for just 232 places, resulting in a subscription ratio of 1.79 applications per place.

Key priority is given to looked-after children and siblings of current students. Uniquely, the school also prioritises children of staff who have been employed for two or more years. Remaining places are allocated by distance.

The last distance offered varies annually based on the applicant cohort. In recent years, the catchment has tightened around Grange Park and the immediate West Swindon area. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical cut-offs.

Pastoral care is organised through the House structure (Moore, Holmes, Pascal, Berners-Lee) and vertical tutoring, which helps build relationships across year groups. Older students often mentor younger ones, fostering a sense of responsibility.

The school takes a proactive approach to mental health, with a dedicated student support team available for non-academic issues. The "No Outsiders" philosophy, championed across the Trust, promotes inclusivity and tolerance. Bullying is taken seriously, with clear reporting lines and a restorative approach to resolution when appropriate.

Extracurricular life is a major strength, built on the twin pillars of Sport and Performing Arts.

Sport

The legacy of the Sports College status is alive and well. The school runs competitive teams in football, rugby, netball, and athletics, achieving frequent success in county competitions. The facilities, including floodlit AstroTurf and extensive pitches, are heavily used. Participation is encouraged at all levels, not just for the elite.

Performing Arts

Drama and Music are vibrant. The annual school production is a community highlight, utilizing the main hall's professional lighting and sound systems. Students are involved on stage and behind the scenes, running the technical aspects of the shows.

Clubs & Enrichment

The extracurricular list is extensive, ranging from the Coding Club and Science Club to the popular Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, which sees high uptake in Year 10. The "Period 6" session often hosts these activities, ensuring they are integrated into the school day rather than being an afterthought.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:00pm. Located in Grange Park, the site is well-connected by cycle paths and local bus routes serving West Swindon. There is no dedicated school-run breakfast club for general childcare, but the library and canteen are accessible before school.

Leadership Transition. With the long-serving Principal expected to retire in 2026, the school faces a period of leadership transition. While the Trust provides stability, families should be aware that a new Principal may bring changes to policies or emphasis.

Oversubscription Reality. Securing a place is difficult. With nearly two applicants for every seat, living in Grange Park does not guarantee admission if there is a sibling bulge. Families on the periphery of the catchment should have a realistic Plan B.

Sixth Form Structure. The Sixth Form is part of a multi-school Trust provision. This offers a wider range of subjects than a standalone sixth form but means students may travel between sites or feel part of a larger, less intimate cohort than they are used to in the main school.

Lydiard Park Academy offers a reassuringly solid education. It is a school that knows its community and delivers what parents want: safety, discipline, and decent results. It avoids the pressure-cooker intensity of a "hot" grammar school but provides a supportive, structured environment where most children thrive. Best suited to local families seeking a well-rounded education with strong sports provision and pragmatic pathways to employment. The main challenge is getting in.