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OpenSecondaryOfsted: School remains Good (Improving) - S5 NextURN 137190

The Commonweal School

Academy converter · Swindon · SN1 4JE

Ages 11–19 · 1,442 pupils · Swindon

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next

Attainment 8

44.9

Overall absence

9.8%

Admissions demand

1.30 · Competitive

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next

Inspection date

2023-07-27

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.11
−20+2
Attainment 844.9
English & maths grade 5+44%
English & maths grade 4+64%
EBacc entry29%

EBacc APS: 3.9

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence9.8%
Persistent absence (10%+)28.9%
Unauthorised2.6%
Authorised absence
7.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
4.7%
Enrolments in measure
1,126

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.30 · Competitive

1st preferences

289

Places offered

222

1st-preference offers

219

Total preferences (any rank)
587
Preferred offers (top 3)
222
Applications from outside LA
7
Offers to outside-LA applicants
3
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill103%

1,442 pupils · 1,400 places

Pupils on roll
1,442
Boys / girls
652 / 790
School capacity
1,400
Capacity fill
1,442 / 1,400 (103%)
Free school meals
17.7%
FSM pupils
197
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–19

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

3 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: THE COMMONWEAL SCHOOL
Academy trust
THE COMMONWEAL SCHOOL
Headteacher
Mr Charles Drew

Location

Address
The Mall, Old Town
Postcode
SN1 4JE
Town
Swindon
County
Wiltshire
Local authority
Swindon
District
Swindon
Constituency
Swindon South
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
PD - Physical Disability
Special classes
Has Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
11 on roll / 19 capacity

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–19, in Swindon, Swindon, 1,442 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, special school, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 17.7%. SEN provision includes: PD - Physical Disability.

Open schools in Swindon
107
Secondary schools in Swindon
15
Academies among open schools in Swindon
68% (73)
Open schools in SN1
10
Secondary in SN1
3
Open schools in Swindon LA
92
Secondary in Swindon LA
13

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in SwindonNear SN1

  • UTC Swindon

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    University technical college · Secondary

    Swindon · SN1 5ET · Swindon

    Ages 14–19

    • Att831.1
    • P8-1.5
    • EM5+24%
    • Absence11.8%

    0.9 miles away

  • The Deanery CofE Academy

    Ofsted: Inadequate

    Free schools · Secondary

    Swindon · SN1 7DA · Swindon

    Ages 11–18

    • FSM25.2%

    0.9 miles away

  • Lawn Manor Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Swindon · SN3 1ER · Swindon

    Ages 11–16

    • Att839.4
    • P8-0.0
    • EM5+33%
    • Absence10.3%

    1.2 miles away

  • St Joseph's Catholic College

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Swindon · SN3 3LR · Swindon

    Ages 11–16

    • Att849.1
    • P80.4
    • EM5+50%
    • Absence8.2%

    1.5 miles away

  • Nova Hreod Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Swindon · SN2 2NQ · Swindon

    Ages 11–16

    • Att846.0
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+41%
    • Absence12.2%

    2.3 miles away

  • Lydiard Park Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Swindon · SN5 6HN · Swindon

    Ages 11–18

    • Att846.6
    • P80.2
    • EM5+49%
    • Absence7.9%

    2.6 miles away

  • The Dorcan Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Swindon · SN3 5DA · Swindon

    Ages 11–16

    • Att838.2
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+29%
    • Absence9.5%

    2.6 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Charles Drew
Telephone
01793612727
Website
www.commonweal.co.uk

Official links