Marden Vale CofE Academy

About Marden Vale CofE Academy

Marden Vale CofE Academy is a small Church of England primary school in Wiltshire, currently teaching 146 pupils against a capacity of 266, meaning it is running at just over half its potential size. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 52.1%, which is significantly above the national average and suggests the school serves a community with higher-than-average levels of economic disadvantage. Despite the available space, the school is oversubscribed for Reception entry in 2025/26, receiving 31 applications for 16 places, with all 16 first-preference applicants offered a spot. That oversubscription ratio of 1.94 indicates strong local demand, even though the school has room to grow. The headteacher is Louise Scrivens, and the school’s religious character is Church of England, which may appeal to families seeking a faith-based setting within the state system.

Academically, Marden Vale is currently rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted following its September 2023 inspection, a rating it has held since at least June 2021. The inspection report noted that behaviour and attitudes are Good, but all other areas — quality of education, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — remain Requires Improvement. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 42% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well below the Wiltshire local authority average of 58%. Reading scores were stronger, with 71% reaching the expected standard and an average score of 104, while maths saw 54% at expected. Only 8% of pupils achieved higher standard in reading and 4% in writing. Nationally, the school ranks in the bottom 11% of all primary schools for combined RWM expected standard, and in the bottom 17% within the South West region.

The school offers a range of facilities including playing fields, a sensory room, music rooms and a chapel, alongside sports such as football, cricket, gymnastics, netball, cross country, swimming and athletics. Clubs include chess, choir, art club and film club. SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and a resourced provision, which may be a key draw for families whose children require additional support. Given its small size and high FSM intake, Marden Vale is likely to suit families who value a close-knit, faith-based environment and are comfortable with a school that is still working through improvement priorities. The oversubscription suggests it is a popular local choice, but parents should weigh the academic outcomes against the school’s current Ofsted rating and the stronger results available at higher-ranked Wiltshire primaries.

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