Horningsham Primary School, WARMINSTER

Ofsted's report card from its 6 May 2026 inspection grades Horningsham Primary School on 7 areas: 2 strong standard and 5 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "The school has stringent systems in place to monitor pupils' attendance and punctuality over time."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The programme for pupils' personal development and wellbeing is highly ambitious and well sequenced."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Over time, pupils learn the knowledge they need in reading, writing and mathematics effectively."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The curriculum is ambitious and well sequenced."

Early years - Expected standard. "The school's curriculum in the early years is well sequenced and implemented effectively."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school works closely with families and previous settings to understand pupils' needs right from the start."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors place pupils at the centre of any decisions they make."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should strengthen their work to evaluate how effectively pupils deepen their knowledge and understanding so that more pupils excel academically"; "Leaders should ensure that staff use assessment information astutely to ensure that they design activities that build firmly on the essential knowledge that pupils need to learn next"; "Leaders should ensure that teaching enables pupils to apply their phonics knowledge consistently well so that all pupils spell accurately".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Horningsham Primary School! Nestled in our beautiful rural setting on the Longleat Estate, Horningsham Primary School is a thriving, close-knit community where every child is known and valued. Our unique location enriches learning, offering opportunities for outdoor exploration, hands-on experiences, and strong connections with the local community."

The school runs a breakfast club, from £6.20 per session.

Coming up: an open day on Monday 2 November 2026 at 11.26am and an admissions event on Friday 15 January 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 100% of Year 6 pupils at Horningsham Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 89% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 73% in Wiltshire and 77% and 75% across England.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 14 families put Horningsham Primary School as their first choice and 20 named it as one of their preferences, for 12 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 2 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Horningsham Primary School are Crockerton CofE Primary School (2.6 miles, Good, 67% reading, 56% maths); Princecroft Primary School (3.5 miles); Sambourne Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (3.7 miles, Good, 77% reading, 73% maths); and The Minster CofE Primary School (3.8 miles, Good, 90% reading, 90% maths).

Horningsham Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

7.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 15 pupils (22.1%) received SEN support and 1 (1.5%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a moderate learning difficulty.

Horningsham Primary School had 5 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Horningsham Primary School.

In August 2026, police recorded 3 crimes within a mile of the school, most often other theft, vehicle crime and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Wiltshire (34).

Horningsham Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.