Wansdyke School

About Wansdyke School

Wansdyke School is a state primary in Wiltshire that is currently educating more pupils than its official capacity suggests, with 236 children on roll against a published capacity of 210. This oversubscription is backed up by the school’s admission data for the 2025/26 intake: 46 applications were received for just 30 places, and 31 of those were first-preference choices. The school made 29 first-preference offers, meaning it could not accommodate every family who wanted a place. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 16.5 per cent, which is slightly above the national primary average of around 14 per cent, indicating a broadly representative intake for a state school in this part of the South West. The school is mixed, non-denominational, and caters for children aged four to eleven. Samuel Heard is the headteacher.

Academically, Wansdyke performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 68 per cent of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Wiltshire average of 58 per cent. The school’s reading average score was 108, and maths averaged 105, both comfortably above the national benchmark of 100. At the higher standard, 39 per cent of pupils achieved in reading, 23 per cent in maths, and 13 per cent in writing. In the Wiltshire primary rankings, Wansdyke sits 46th out of 201 schools, placing it in the top quarter of the local authority. Nationally, it ranks in the top 36 per cent of all primaries. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in November 2021, confirmed that the school remains Good, with leadership and management, early years provision, and behaviour all rated Good.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including playing fields, a gymnasium, a sports hall, and an ICT suite. Sports provision covers cross country, tennis, athletics, rounders, gymnastics, football and dance, while clubs include coding, book club, drama and eco club. For families with children who have additional needs, Wansdyke has a dedicated SEN unit and supports a wide range of conditions, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, dyslexia, hearing impairment and physical disability. The school does not have a nursery or a sixth form, and it is not a boarding school. Given its oversubscribed status and strong KS2 outcomes relative to the local average, this is a school that suits families who prioritise academic attainment and want a well-supported mainstream environment, though securing a place may require a first-preference application.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Wansdyke School

Helpful Guides for Parents