Lydiard Park Academy
About Lydiard Park Academy
Lydiard Park Academy is a popular choice among Swindon families, and the numbers back that up. For the 2025/26 secondary intake, the school received 415 applications for 232 places, making it oversubscribed with a ratio of 1.79 applicants per place. Of those, 220 offers went to first-preference families, who submitted 231 applications in total. While the school does not publish a formal parent satisfaction score, the high demand suggests a strong local reputation. The school is a mixed, non-denominational state secondary for pupils aged 11 to 18, led by headteacher Gary Pearson. It currently educates 1,287 pupils against a capacity of 1,370, so there is a little room to grow. A quarter of its students (25.7%) are eligible for free school meals, which is a significant proportion and worth noting for families considering the school's inclusivity and support structures.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
6 Dec 2023Latest monitoring visit (6 Dec 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 21 Feb 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:40 – 15:05
Source: lydiardparkacademy.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lydiard Park Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications