The John of Gaunt School Review 2026: Excellence Every Day in a Comprehensive Setting

The John of Gaunt School stands as a significant educational landmark in Trowbridge, occupying an expansive campus on Wingfield Road. As a large, mixed comprehensive academy for students aged 11 to 18, it serves approximately 1,250 learners from the town and surrounding Wiltshire villages. The school takes its name from the 14th century Duke of Lancaster, a figure with deep historical ties to the region, yet the institution itself is firmly focused on preparing modern students for the challenges of the 21st century.

Under the leadership of Headteacher Ben Rhodes, who was appointed in September 2023 after serving as a senior leader at the school for a decade, the school has entered a phase of renewed academic focus and community engagement. As part of the Equa Multi-Academy Trust, which it joined recently, the school benefits from shared expertise across a network of Wiltshire schools while maintaining its own distinct identity.

The school is currently rated Good by Ofsted, following a comprehensive inspection in January 2024. This assessment confirms that the school remains a strong and stable choice for local families, combining an ambitious curriculum with a pervasive culture of care and inclusion.

The atmosphere at The John of Gaunt School is defined by its core values: Kindness, Positivity, and Belonging. These are not merely decorative slogans but principles that underpin daily interactions. Visitors often note the purposeful, calm environment where students move between lessons with confidence and staff maintain high expectations for behaviour and engagement.

The school is divided into four houses: Kirin, Centaur, Wyvern, and Phoenix. This structure creates a "small school" feel within a large campus, fostering a sense of community and healthy competition through house events and rewards. The school motto, Excellence Every Day, serves as a constant reminder of the high standards expected from both staff and students.

The campus includes specialist wings for science, the arts, and a dedicated post 16 centre that provides older students with a more mature, independent environment. Recent investments in the site have ensured that facilities remain modern and suited to a wide-ranging secondary curriculum.

Academic performance at The John of Gaunt School demonstrates a clear upward trajectory, particularly in the sixth form. According to proprietary FindMySchool rankings based on the most recent official data, the school ranks 1,182nd in England for A-level outcomes, placing it comfortably in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Within the Trowbridge area, it ranks 2nd for post 16 performance.

At A-level in 2024, half of all entries (50%) achieved the top grades of A* to B, with 7.4% of students securing an A*. In the secondary phase, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 41.4. While this sits slightly below the local authority average of 46.1, it reflects the school's inclusive intake and its commitment to supporting students of all starting points.

Ranked 2,865th in England for GCSE outcomes, the school continues to focus on improving performance in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), where currently 7.7% of pupils achieve a grade 5 or above. The Progress 8 score of -0.09 indicates that students make progress broadly in line with their peers nationally.

The curriculum at The John of Gaunt School is described by inspectors as ambitious and well structured. In the lower years, students follow a broad range of subjects designed to spark curiosity and build a strong foundation in core disciplines. Teaching staff are recognised for their high levels of expertise and their ability to deliver lessons that challenge students while providing necessary support.

A significant strength lies in the school's approach to reading and literacy, which is woven throughout the curriculum to ensure all students can access the full range of subjects. In the sixth form, the offering is particularly diverse, with over 25 A-level and vocational subjects available. Small class sizes in the post 16 phase allow for intensive discussion and personalised feedback, which contributes to the strong results seen at this level.

The school also places a high priority on careers guidance and preparation for adult life. From Year 7 through to Year 13, students receive structured advice that helps them link their classroom learning to future career paths, a feature that was specifically praised in the 2024 Ofsted report.

Where Students Go Next

The school's transition support ensures that leavers are well prepared for their next steps. For the 2024 cohort, a significant 58% of sixth form students progressed to university, a figure that reflects the school's academic ambitions. While 4 students applied to Oxford in the most recent cycle, the majority of university leavers secure places at Russell Group and other reputable regional institutions.

Beyond higher education, the school maintains strong links with local employers and apprenticeship providers. In 2024, 22% of leavers entered employment and 4% started apprenticeships, demonstrating the practical value of the school's vocational and careers guidance. For Year 11 students, the majority choose to remain at the school for their sixth form studies, while others transition to specialist local colleges for further education.

Securing a place at The John of Gaunt School is a priority for many families in Trowbridge. Admissions are coordinated by Wiltshire Council, and the school remains popular and often oversubscribed.

In the most recent admissions cycle for which data is available, the school received 395 applications for 227 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 1.74. This indicates a high level of demand, with approximately 1.7 applications for every available place. Every family that placed the school as their first preference and lived within the vicinity was successfully accommodated, though distances can vary annually.

Parents researching proximity should note that the school serves a wide catchment, but those living in the immediate Studley Green area typically receive priority. For those comparing local schools, the FindMySchool Comparison Tool allows for a side by side view of these admissions trends.

Pastoral care is a cornerstone of the school's identity. The house system provides the primary framework for support, with tutors and heads of house knowing their students as individuals. This is supplemented by a dedicated safeguarding and wellbeing team, led by a deputy headteacher who is also a trained mental health instructor.

The school is highly inclusive, with inspectors noting that diversity is celebrated and that students have a genuine voice in school life. Bullying is reported to be rare and is dealt with effectively by staff. For students with additional needs, the SENCO coordinates a team of teaching assistants who provide targeted support in and out of the classroom, ensuring that every student can flourish.

The extracurricular programme at The John of Gaunt School is remarkably broad, offering students opportunities to develop interests far beyond the academic curriculum.

STEM and Innovation

The school's STEM provision is a particular highlight, featuring clubs such as the Amazing Maths Challengers and regular participation in senior maths challenges. Science labs are well equipped for practical experimentation, and the school encourages students to see the real world applications of their technical studies.

Creative Arts and Sport

The creative arts are a visible part of daily life, with students participating in orchestra, steel drum ensembles, and ambitious drama productions, such as the upcoming performance of The Addams Family. In sport, the school offers a wide range of activities from competitive team games to individual challenges like Ten Tors and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which many students complete up to the Gold level.

The school day begins promptly at 8:35am, and all students are expected to be on-site by 8:30am. The standard day concludes at 3:10pm, though Year 11 and sixth form students often have additional Period 6 sessions until 4:00pm on Tuesdays through Thursdays to support their exam success.

The school operates a two week timetable (Week A and Week B) to allow for a varied curriculum. While the school does not host a formal breakfast or after school club for younger students, the wide range of extracurricular activities effectively extends the day for many. Transport is well coordinated with local providers, ensuring students from further afield can access the site easily.

• Progress over Time: While some students have reported difficulty recalling learning over long periods, the school has implemented new strategies to ensure knowledge is embedded through regular recall opportunities.
• Sixth Form Strength: The school's post 16 results are significantly stronger than its GCSE rankings, making it an excellent choice for students who intend to stay through to A-levels.
• Secondary Competition: With a subscription proportion of 1.74, entry into Year 7 is competitive. Families should ensure they understand the admissions criteria and visit on open days to gauge the fit for their child.

The John of Gaunt School is a thriving comprehensive that successfully balances academic ambition with exceptional pastoral care. It is a school that truly serves its community, offering an inclusive environment where students are encouraged to be kind, positive, and aspirational. Best suited to students who want a broad range of extracurricular opportunities and those aiming for a high-quality sixth form experience within their local town. Families interested in this school can use the Saved Schools feature on FindMySchool to manage their shortlist.