Kingdown School dominates the educational landscape of Warminster. Serving over 1,600 students, it functions not just as a school but as a central hub for the town and the surrounding Wiltshire villages. As a key member of the Acorn Education Trust, it combines the resources of a large multi-academy trust with a distinct local identity. The motto Believe, Aspire, Achieve is visible in the structural organisation of the school, particularly in the way the large student body is navigated through a robust house system.
This is a true comprehensive. It does not select on ability yet sits at the top of the local rankings for Warminster, providing a reliable pathway for students of all aptitudes. The campus on Woodcock Road is a mix of functional mid-century blocks and modern additions, including a Sixth Form Centre and the impressive Kingdown Sports Centre which serves both the school and the wider public.
At drop-off, the sheer scale of the operation is evident. Buses ferry students from across the rural catchment, creating a morning scene bustling with energy. Despite its size, Kingdown avoids feeling impersonal through a house system that breaks the population down into manageable communities.
The six houses; Lords, Mid, Shearwater, Silbury, Twyford, and Wyle; are named after local Wiltshire landmarks. This structure is the heartbeat of the school. Students do not just belong to a year group; they belong to a House. Inter-house competition is fierce and covers everything from rugby and netball to photography and debating. This tribal loyalty encourages a sense of belonging that can sometimes be lost in schools of this capacity.
Mrs Helen Carpenter leads the school with a focus on consistency and aspiration. The atmosphere is one of orderly activity. Movement between lessons is managed efficiently, a necessity in a school of this size. The Acorn Education Trust influence is visible in the shared resources and staff development, but Kingdown retains a distinct personality. It feels like a town within a town, a place where students learn to navigate a large society before stepping out into the wider world.
The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Kingdown School delivers solid academic outcomes that consistently outpace local alternatives. In the 2024 GCSE examinations, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.13. This positive figure indicates that students make greater progress here than they would at similar schools across England.
Ranked 2,252nd in England for GCSE outcomes, performance sits in the national typical band. This reflects solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Crucially, Kingdown ranks 1st among secondary schools in Warminster, confirming its status as the academic leader in the immediate locality.
The school's attainment is robust. The average Attainment 8 score stood at 46.4, slightly edging out the England average of 45.9. While the percentage of students entering the EBacc (English Baccalaureate) is lower than the England average, this often reflects a curriculum designed to offer broader vocational choices rather than a lack of ambition.
In the Sixth Form, the picture remains steady. Kingdown ranks 1,420th in England for A-level outcomes. The grade breakdown shows 45.4% of grades at A*-B, sitting just below the England average of 47.2%. However, the percentage of grades at B (27.5%) is notable, suggesting a school that is particularly good at lifting middle-ability students into respectable grade boundaries.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
45.41%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum at Kingdown is defined by breadth. In Key Stage 3, students cover a wide range of subjects including drama, music, and distinct sciences. The teaching style tends to be structured and explicit, ensuring that key concepts are grasped before moving on.
A significant strength is the commitment to vocational and technical education alongside traditional academic routes. The facilities support this well; design technology workshops and food technology kitchens are well-equipped and heavily used. In the Sixth Form, the offer expands further, blending A-levels with BTEC qualifications. This flexibility allows students to build a portfolio of qualifications that matches their learning style rather than forcing a square peg into a round hole.
Classrooms are functional and focused. Teachers use consistent behaviour policies to maintain learning environments, which is essential in a large school. The use of technology is integrated, with online platforms used for homework and resource sharing to help parents stay connected to their child's daily progress.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
The destinations data for Kingdown graduates tells a story of diverse pathways. In 2024, 44% of leavers progressed to university. While this is lower than some selective schools, it is balanced by a remarkably strong employment and apprenticeship record.
38% of leavers moved directly into employment, a figure significantly higher than the national norm. This speaks to the school’s effectiveness in preparing students for the workplace by equipping them with the soft skills and practical qualifications local employers value. 8% of students secured apprenticeships, reflecting strong links with local industry and robust careers advice provided from Year 10 onwards.
For those pursuing higher education, ambition is present. While the 2024 cohort saw 5 applications to Oxbridge with no offers secured, the process demonstrates the school is encouraging its brightest to aim for the very top. Students regularly progress to solid university courses in sciences, humanities, and the arts.
Total Offers
0
Offer Success Rate: —
Cambridge
—
Offers
Oxford
0
Offers
Admissions are coordinated by Wiltshire Council. Kingdown School is a popular choice and is currently oversubscribed. In the most recent entry year, the school received 245 applications for 213 offers, resulting in a subscription ratio of 1.15 applications per place.
With 1.15 applications for every place, entry is competitive but accessible for those in the catchment. The school prioritises looked-after children and siblings, followed by those living in the designated catchment area. Given the rural nature of Wiltshire, distance criteria can extend reasonably far, but families living on the periphery of the catchment should not assume a place is guaranteed.
Parents must apply via the Wiltshire Council portal by the national deadline of 31 October for Year 7 entry the following September. Late applications are processed after on-time offers, significantly reducing the chance of securing a place.
Applications
245
Total received
Places Offered
213
Subscription Rate
1.1x
Apps per place
The house system is the primary vehicle for pastoral care. Each student is placed in a tutor group within their House, and this tutor remains a constant figure throughout their time at the school. This vertical structuring allows younger students to mix with older ones during registration and House assemblies, encouraging a sense of mentorship and reducing the intimidation factor of a large secondary school.
The Pastoral Team includes non-teaching Heads of House and Student Support Officers who are available throughout the day. This is a critical resource; it means that if a student has an issue during lesson time, there is always someone available to help without disrupting teaching.
The school holds the Healthy Schools accreditation, reflecting its commitment to physical and emotional wellbeing. Bullying is taken seriously with clear reporting lines, though as with any large school, low-level friendship issues are the most common pastoral challenge.
Extracurricular life at Kingdown is vibrant, anchored by the impressive Kingdown Sports Centre on site. The facilities include a swimming pool, fitness suite, and extensive playing fields. Students benefit from access to these before and after school, and the school fields competitive teams in football, rugby, netball, and athletics.
Music and drama are also central pillars. The school puts on major productions that utilise the lecture theatre and drama studios, often involving large casts and crew. Recent years have seen ambitious musicals that bring together students from Year 7 to Year 13.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a major feature of school life, with high participation rates at Bronze and Silver levels. The Wiltshire landscape provides the perfect backdrop for expeditions, and the school has a dedicated team to support students through the sections. For those inclined towards STEM, clubs like the Coding Club and Science Club offer enrichment beyond the syllabus.
The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:00pm. The site is located on Woodcock Road, on the edge of Warminster. Transport is a significant logistical operation, with a fleet of buses serving the surrounding villages. Parents should check with Wiltshire Council regarding eligibility for free school transport, which is generally available for those living more than three miles away in the catchment.
Uniform is strictly enforced. It consists of a black blazer with the school badge, House tie, and standard trousers or skirts. The school views uniform as a leveller and a sign of professional pride.
Size matters. With over 1,600 students, Kingdown is a large institution. While the house system mitigates this, it still requires students to be reasonably independent and resilient. Extremely shy or vulnerable children may find the sheer volume of people overwhelming initially.
Mixed ability grouping. As a comprehensive, classes often contain a wide range of abilities, particularly in pastoral time and some practical subjects. Parents of highly academic children should ensure they are making full use of the extension tasks and top set challenges available in core subjects.
Rural logistics. For families living in the villages, reliance on the school bus is total. This can limit participation in after-school clubs unless parents are able to provide private transport for late pick-ups.
Kingdown School serves its community with distinction, providing a stable, well-resourced, and supportive environment. It is a true comprehensive that balances academic solidity with excellent vocational pathways and sporting opportunities. Best suited to families in Warminster and the surrounding villages who want a reliable, large-scale education where their child can find their niche, whether that be in the library, the science lab, or the swimming pool. The main challenge is securing a place in an increasingly popular school.
Yes. Kingdown School is rated Good by Ofsted. Inspectors have praised the school's broad curriculum and the strength of its pastoral care. The school consistently ranks as the top-performing secondary school in Warminster for GCSE outcomes.
Yes. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school received 245 applications for its intake, resulting in a subscription ratio of 1.15. This means there were more applicants than places available.
Kingdown School serves Warminster and the surrounding villages in West Wiltshire. While there is no fixed line on a map that guarantees entry, priority is given to those living nearest to the school after siblings and looked-after children. Families should consult the Wiltshire Council admissions guide for precise distance criteria.
Yes. Kingdown has a large and successful Sixth Form offering a wide range of A-levels and BTEC qualifications. It has its own dedicated centre on the campus but remains integrated into the wider school life, particularly through the house system.
The school is divided into six houses; Lords, Mid, Shearwater, Silbury, Twyford, and Wyle. Every student is assigned to a House upon entry. This determines their tutor group, their tie colour, and the team they compete for in sports and other inter-house competitions.
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