The Clarendon Academy Review 2026: Community Ambition in Trowbridge

Sitting on the edge of Trowbridge, The Clarendon Academy serves its community with a clear, value-driven purpose. As a mixed comprehensive for students aged 11 to 18, it operates as a central hub for families in Studley Green and the wider town. Part of the Acorn Education Trust since 2018, the school benefits from a collaborative network that supports its drive for improvement and resource sharing.

The campus blends functional mid-century blocks with newer facilities, reflecting its evolution from the former Nelson Haden schools. It is not an ivory tower but a working school, grounded in the reality of its catchment. With approximately 1,300 students, it is large enough to offer breadth but retains a structure designed to keep individuals from feeling lost.

Under the leadership of Headteacher Miss Louise Hamilton, the school has focused heavily on raising aspirations. The school values—Respect, Determination, Excellence—are not merely vinyl lettering on the reception wall; they underpin the behaviour policy and the conversations between staff and students. There is a palpable sense here that the school is on a journey, pushing against local benchmarks to offer students wider horizons.

Arriving at the Frome Road entrance, visitors meet a busy, energetic environment. The atmosphere is one of purposeful activity rather than hushed reverence. Staff presence is high, not just for policing but for engagement. It is common to see senior leaders at the gate or in the canteen, modelling the "Respect" pillar of the school's values.

The school operates a strong House system that slices through the year groups, creating smaller communities within the larger whole. This structure provides a sense of belonging and fosters healthy competition. Students wear their house allegiances with pride, particularly during annual sports events and charity fundraising weeks.

The partnership with the Acorn Education Trust is visible in the school's culture. There is a focus on professional development for staff, which translates into a classroom atmosphere where teaching methods are consistent. Students describe the environment as supportive; while academic pressure exists, it is generally framed around personal bests rather than just raw grades. The distinct "Clarendon" identity is maintained, but the trust's influence provides a backbone of operational stability and strategic direction.

Facilities are a mix of the established and the new. The science labs have seen updates to support practical work, while the sports facilities are a significant asset. The sixth form has its own dedicated centre, offering a bridge between school and university life and giving the oldest students a space that feels distinct and adult.

In the landscape of English secondary schools, The Clarendon Academy’s performance reflects a mixed-ability intake with pockets of high potential. In the 2024 GCSE examinations, the school’s results placed it 2,862nd in England. This ranking positions the school in the national lower band (bottom 40%).

The average Attainment 8 score was 40.8, compared to the England average of 45.9. This metric suggests that while many students achieve solid passes, the density of top grades is lower than the national benchmark. However, the Progress 8 score of -0.06 is a critical contextual figure. It indicates that students make progress that is broadly in line with the national average from their starting points. It suggests that teaching adds value, even if the raw attainment figures are modest.

Ranked 3rd in Trowbridge for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits competitively within its immediate local context.

At A-level, the school ranked 2,277th in England in 2024. The proportion of grades at A*-B was 28.41%, against an England average of roughly 54%. However, the top end of the cohort performs well; in 2024, one student secured a place at Cambridge University, demonstrating that for the most academic students, the pathway to elite institutions remains open.

The curriculum is designed to be broad and balanced, adhering to the National Curriculum but allowing for vocational flexibility. In Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), students cover the full range of core and foundation subjects. The school resists the temptation to narrow the curriculum too early, ensuring students have exposure to arts, technology, and humanities before making GCSE choices.

Teaching emphasizes clear explanations and structured practice. In English and Humanities, there is a strong focus on literacy. Teachers explicitly teach the vocabulary required for high-level analysis, knowing that language gaps can be the biggest barrier to progress. In Mathematics and Science, lessons are often broken down into small steps to ensure understanding before moving to complex application.

The school is particularly proud of its vocational offerings. Alongside traditional GCSEs, students can opt for BTEC qualifications in subjects like Sport and Health & Social Care. These courses are not treated as second-tier options but are taught with rigour, often using specialist facilities. For many students, this blend of academic and applied learning provides a route to success that pure exam-based courses might not.

Support for Special Educational Needs (SEN) is integrated into the classroom. Teaching assistants are deployed strategically, not glued to the side of a single student but circulating to foster independence. The Learning Support department works closely with subject teachers to ensure resources are adapted.

Where Students Go Next

The sixth form is a key destination for many Year 11s, but it is not the only route. The school prepares students for a variety of futures. In 2024, 55% of leavers progressed to university. This figure reflects a solid academic core within the sixth form.

Notably, despite the non-selective intake, the school supports aspirations for the highest tiers of higher education. In the most recent cycle, two students submitted applications to Oxbridge, with one securing a place at Cambridge. This 50% success rate for Oxbridge applicants highlights that the school can support elite ambitions when the student potential is there.

For those not pursuing degrees, the pathway to employment and training is well-trodden. In 2024, 18% of leavers moved directly into employment, and 5% secured apprenticeships. The school has built links with local employers and training providers, ensuring that students seeking vocational routes have guidance on applications and interviews.

Admissions to The Clarendon Academy are coordinated by Wiltshire Council. As a non-selective comprehensive, the primary criterion for entry is usually distance from the school, after priority is given to looked-after children and siblings of current students.

The school is popular locally. Recent data indicates the school is oversubscribed, with more applicants than places available. In the most recent intake period, there were 298 applications for 156 offers. With a subscription proportion of 1.91 (almost two applicants for every place), demand is strong.

Families living in Trowbridge and the surrounding villages typically fall within the catchment. However, given the oversubscription, those living further afield cannot rely on securing a place. Parents should verify their distance from the school using the Wiltshire Council mapping tools.

Applications for Year 7 entry must be submitted by the national deadline of 31 October. Families are notified of their allocation on National Offer Day in early March. For sixth form entry, applications are made directly to the school, with specific GCSE grade requirements applicable for A-level courses.

Pastoral care is structured around the House system, which provides the "family" unit within the school. Each student is assigned a tutor who they see daily. This tutor is the first point of contact for parents and the primary advocate for the student.

The school takes a proactive approach to wellbeing. A dedicated pastoral team deals with day-to-day issues. This ensures that teachers can focus on teaching while students with emotional or behavioural concerns receive immediate support.

Bullying is taken seriously. The school uses reporting tools and student ambassadors to identify issues early. The PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) curriculum covers topics like mental health, healthy relationships, and online safety, equipping students with the tools to navigate their teenage years.

Education here extends beyond the bell. The extracurricular programme is designed to capture interests that might not surface in a Maths or English lesson. Sport is a major pillar. The school fields teams in football, rugby, netball, and athletics. Uniquely, the school benefits from access to the neighbouring Trowbridge sports centre, allowing for a swimming programme that includes personal survival lessons for Year 9.

The arts also feature prominently. School productions are a highlight of the calendar, involving students not just as actors but as technicians and designers. The dance studio hosts clubs that range from contemporary to street dance.

The Breakfast Club runs every morning from 8:00am, offering a free healthy breakfast to all students on free school meals, ensuring they are fuelled for the day. For older students, the Duke of Edinburgh Award offers the chance to build resilience on expeditions across the Wiltshire downs.

The school day typically begins with registration at 8:40am and finishes at 3:00pm. The site is located on Frome Road, accessible by local bus routes that serve Trowbridge and the surrounding villages.

Uniform is strictly enforced, consisting of a blazer with the school logo, house tie, and black trousers or skirt. The sixth form has a dress code that requires business wear, distinguishing them as senior members of the community.

Mixed Ability Results: While the school adds value (as seen in the Progress 8 score), raw attainment is in the lower national band. Families of highly academic children should look at the specific support for high starters to ensure their child will be stretched.

Large Campus Environment: With 1,300 students, the environment is busy. It suits students who are robust and ready to engage. Those who are very quiet might find the initial transition to such a large site daunting, though the pastoral team works hard to mitigate this.

Sixth Form Scale: The sixth form is smaller than some dedicated colleges. This allows for excellent personal support and small class sizes, but it may offer fewer course combinations than a massive tertiary college.

The Clarendon Academy is a school that understands its community and works tirelessly to serve it. It combines the warmth of a supportive pastoral system with an increasing drive for academic standards. While raw exam league tables place it in the lower tiers nationally, the progress data and individual success stories—including Oxbridge entry—reveal a school where students can and do thrive. Best suited to local families seeking a grounded, supportive comprehensive education where every student is pushed to find their own version of excellence.