Lydiard Millicent CofE Primary School

About Lydiard Millicent CofE Primary School

Lydiard Millicent CofE Primary School is a smaller-than-average state primary in Wiltshire, currently teaching 165 pupils against a capacity of 210. That spare capacity is notable because the school is actually oversubscribed for Reception places in the 2025/26 academic year, with 36 applications for just 17 places — a ratio of 2.12 applicants per spot. All 16 first-preference applicants received offers, suggesting strong local demand from families who prioritise the school. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals sits at 6.1%, well below the national average of around 23%, indicating a relatively affluent intake. As a Church of England school, it has a religious character, though the data doesn't specify whether faith criteria are used in admissions. The school is mixed and covers the full primary age range from 4 to 11, with no nursery or sixth form provision.

Academically, the school's most recent Key Stage 2 results from 2023/24 show that 42% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — significantly below the Wiltshire local authority average of 58%. This places Lydiard Millicent 132nd out of 159 primary schools in the county, putting it in the bottom third locally and the bottom 15% nationally. Individual subject scores are more mixed: 63% reached the expected standard in maths and writing, but only 58% did so in reading. The proportion reaching the higher standard in all three subjects was just 5%, compared with 16% in maths alone. Ofsted rated the school Good overall in its most recent graded inspection, with leadership and management also judged Good. However, early years provision was rated Requires Improvement, and the ungraded inspection in June 2024 noted that the school remains Good but with concerns, flagged for a Section 5 next visit.

The school offers a decent range of facilities for its size, including a sports hall, playing fields, a forest school area, music rooms and a chapel. Sports on offer include rounders, athletics, tennis, netball and cross country, while clubs extend to science, chess and gardening. SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. With oversubscription running at more than two applicants per place, families considering Lydiard Millicent should be prepared for a competitive admissions process, particularly if applying as a first preference. The school suits families who value a Church of England setting and a relatively small, rural primary community, but the below-average KS2 outcomes and the Ofsted concern about early years may give some parents pause.

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