The Wellington Academy

About The Wellington Academy

The Wellington Academy is a mixed state secondary and sixth form in Wiltshire, serving 1,155 pupils aged 11 to 19. It sits within a local authority that includes 30 secondary schools, three of which hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating. Among its peers in the area, the school is ranked behind South Wilts Grammar School, Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School, and St Laurence School. The Wellington Academy itself has a Good rating from Ofsted, a solid foundation for families considering it as a local option. It also offers boarding provision and a nursery, which is relatively unusual for a state secondary and may appeal to parents looking for wraparound care or a more structured environment. The school has a non-religious character, and its headteacher is Jennifer Moore. With a capacity of 1,076 and 1,155 pupils currently on roll, the school is oversubscribed, suggesting it is a popular choice within the community.

Academically, the picture is mixed. At Key Stage 4, the school's Attainment 8 score is 28.6, which is below the national average. The EBacc average point score is 2.68, and no pupils entered for the EBacc combination of subjects in the 2023/24 results. Progress 8 data is not available, so it is difficult to assess how much value the school adds relative to pupils' starting points. The local authority average Progress 8 score is -0.01, which is broadly in line with the national average. At Key Stage 5, the picture is stronger. The school's A-level value added score is 0.48, with a confidence interval of 0.34 to 0.63, placing it in the 'well above average' progress banding. The average points per entry is 41.6, equivalent to a B grade, and the best three A-levels average grade is B+. This suggests that while GCSE outcomes are modest, the sixth form is a particular strength, helping students achieve strong results relative to their prior attainment.

The school's facilities are extensive and include a sports hall, gymnasium, astro turf, tennis courts, playing fields, and a theatre, as well as science labs, art studios, music rooms, and a sixth form centre. Sports offered include martial arts, swimming, athletics, football, rowing, and rounders, and there are clubs such as science club, gardening, book club, art club, and Model UN. The presence of a chapel on site is notable given the school's non-religious designation. For families, this is a school that offers a broad range of extracurricular opportunities and strong sixth-form outcomes, but the GCSE results are below average and the lack of EBacc entry may be a concern for those prioritising a traditional academic route. It may suit families who value a wide facilities offer and a sixth form that clearly adds value, particularly if they are open to boarding or nursery provision as part of the package.

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