Malmesbury School, Malmesbury

In its own words: "We will promote an inspirational culture in which everyone feels valued and challenged to fulfil their potential. We have high expectations of all our students and work hard to promote achievement within a supportive community."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to be the Headteacher of Malmesbury School. The school’s long tradition of exceptional work with young people, in a caring and nurturing environment, places it amongst the very best schools in the country. I have a strong connection to the school, having worked here in the past as a faculty head for International Business and Languages."

In 2026, pupils at Malmesbury School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 49.9, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.9 in Wiltshire and 47 across England.

51% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 44% in Wiltshire and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 49.8.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.34: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 36.5, against 52.7 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.2 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 26 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 257 families put Malmesbury School as their first choice and 356 named it as one of their preferences, for 270 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

Malmesbury School is one of 10 schools run by The Athelstan Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 46.7 in 2024/25.

Of the 266 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 87% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 24% to a further education college, 5% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 129 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 57% went on to university or other higher education, 5% to apprenticeships and 33% into work. 47% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

12.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

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

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is School (nw-bound), 140 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Malmesbury School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Malmesbury School issued 99 suspensions, 6.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Malmesbury School are Malmesbury Church of England Primary School (0.5 miles); and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Malmesbury (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.