Rodbourne Cheney Primary School

About Rodbourne Cheney Primary School

Rodbourne Cheney Primary School stands out sharply against the Swindon local authority average for Key Stage 2 outcomes. While the LA average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined sits at 62%, Rodbourne Cheney achieves 79% — a significant 17 percentage points higher. This places the school 7th out of 51 primary schools in Swindon, comfortably in the top 25% nationally. The school’s overall Ofsted rating is Outstanding, a grade it has held across both its most recent graded inspection in July 2023 and its previous inspection in 2010. Every single category inspected in 2023 — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — was judged Outstanding. With only four primary schools in Swindon rated Outstanding, Rodbourne Cheney is in a small, high-performing group.

Digging into the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, the school’s strengths are consistent across subjects. 83% of pupils met the expected standard in both reading and writing, and 79% did so in maths. At the higher standard, 28% achieved greater depth in writing, 21% in reading and 17% in maths, with 10% hitting the higher bar across all three. Average scaled scores were 105 in reading and 103 in maths, both above the national benchmark of 100. Progress scores are not available in the data, but the raw attainment figures suggest pupils are leaving the school well prepared for secondary school. The school ranks 155th out of 1,469 primary schools in the South West region, and 1,729th out of 13,686 nationally — strong showings that underline its academic consistency.

Rodbourne Cheney is a two-form entry primary with nursery provision for children aged 2 to 11, and it is oversubscribed: for 30 places in 2025/26, there were 97 applications, with 38 listing it as first preference and all 30 first-preference offers accepted. That gives an oversubscription ratio of 3.23. The school supports a range of SEND needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication, hearing impairment, multi-sensory impairment, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Facilities include an ICT suite, sensory room, music rooms, a forest school, gymnasium and chapel. Clubs run the gamut from chess and book club to drama, science, eco and coding. With 19% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a mixed catchment. It suits families who value strong academic outcomes, a broad enrichment offer, and a school that has sustained Outstanding practice over time.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Rodbourne Cheney Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents