St Leonard's Church of England Primary Academy

About St Leonard's Church of England Primary Academy

St Leonard's Church of England Primary Academy is a school that local parents clearly want to get into. For the 2025/26 intake, it received 35 applications for just 20 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.75. Of those 35 applications, 18 were first-preference choices, and all 18 were offered a place. That level of demand suggests a strong local reputation, and it's backed up by the school's most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2024, which awarded a Good rating across every category: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This is a significant turnaround from the school's previous inspection in 2019, when it was rated Inadequate overall. Under headteacher Clare Johnson, the 145-pupil primary has clearly found its footing, and the 210-capacity site still has room to grow.

Academically, St Leonard's performs well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 67% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Swindon local authority average of 62%. Reading is a particular strength: 90% of pupils met the expected standard, and 37% achieved a higher standard, with an average scaled score of 107. In maths, 70% hit the expected standard and 7% reached the higher standard, with an average score of 102. Writing saw 80% at expected and 10% at a higher level. These results place St Leonard's 19th out of 51 primary schools in Swindon, putting it in the top 40% nationally. While no progress scores are available, the attainment data paints a picture of a school that is solidly delivering for its pupils, particularly in reading.

The school offers a practical experience beyond the classroom. Facilities include playing fields, a library, a gymnasium, a dining hall, a chapel, art studios and a Forest School, which ties into the clubs on offer: Eco Club, choir, drama, film club and coding. Sports provision is broad, with rounders, tennis, athletics, swimming, gymnastics, netball and dance. For families with children who have additional needs, St Leonard's has designated SEND provision for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. With 16.6% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a mixed catchment. It's a Church of England primary that has rebuilt its reputation, and the oversubscription figures suggest local families are voting with their feet.

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