The hardest schools to get into in Swindon
Secondary: 303 families put Abbey Park School first in 2026 and 239 of them (79%) were offered a place.
Reception: 93 families put The Croft Primary School first in 2026 and 60 of them (65%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Swindon with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abbey Park School · Swindon | 303 | 239 (79%) | 240 |
| 2 | Swindon Academy · Swindon | 224 | 187 (84%) | 200 |
| 3 | The Ridgeway School & Sixth Form College · Swindon | 300 | 262 (87%) | 270 |
| 4 | The Dorcan Academy · Swindon | 187 | 167 (89%) | 170 |
| 5 | Kingsdown School · Swindon | 237 | 216 (91%) | 232 |
| 6 | The Commonweal School · Swindon | 235 | 218 (93%) | 232 |
| 7 | Great Western Academy · Swindon | 162 | 155 (96%) | 180 |
| 8 | Lawn Manor Academy · Swindon | 199 | 193 (97%) | 200 |
| 9 | Lydiard Park Academy · Swindon | 221 | 220 (100%) | 232 |
| 10 | St Joseph's Catholic College · Swindon · faith | 237 | 237 (100%) | 256 |
| 11 | Nova Hreod Academy · Swindon | 153 | 153 (100%) | 228 |
| 12 | Highworth Warneford School · Swindon | 130 | 130 (100%) | 140 |
| 13 | The Deanery CofE Academy · Swindon · faith | 46 | 46 (100%) | 104 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Swindon
What is the hardest school to get into in Swindon?
For secondary places, 303 families put Abbey Park School first in 2026 and 239 of them (79%) were offered a place. For Reception, 93 families put The Croft Primary School first and 60 of them (65%) were offered a place.
How many families in Swindon get their first-choice school?
90.5% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 95.6% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Swindon published it in its admissions booklet.