Sheldon School, Chippenham

In its own words: "We are thoughtful and considerate about how we treat ourselves and others. We always have good manners and we show gratitude towards others. We are confident and resilient learners who contribute in lessons. We don’t make excuses and we accept that we make mistakes, but we learn from them."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Firmly established over many years, Sheldon's excellent reputation is well-deserved. It is a purposeful learning community where every individual counts. Expectations and aspirations are high here and we are committed to developing the young people in our care, whatever their talents."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include drama, ukulele, chess, Duke of Edinburgh and journalism.

In 2026, pupils at Sheldon School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 45.5, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.9 in Wiltshire and 47 across England.

46% 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 45.2.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.1: pupils made about 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 28.9, against 49.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 21 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 28 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Business Studies and Art and Design.

For September 2026 entry, 178 families put Sheldon School as their first choice and 462 named it as one of their preferences, for 211 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Sheldon School are Hardenhuish School (0.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.3); The Young People's Support Centre (0.7 miles); Abbeyfield School (2.1 miles); and The Corsham School (3.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45.3).

Sheldon School's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 2 schools.

Of the 275 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 92% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 40% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 143 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 43% went on to university or other higher education, 6% to apprenticeships and 35% into work. 18% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

9.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (78%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 141 pupils (9.6%) received SEN support and 66 (4.5%) 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 autism.

Sheldon School has a resourced provision for hearing impairment.

The nearest railway station is Chippenham Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sheldon School (e-bound), 170 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Sheldon School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 128 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Wiltshire (34), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Sheldon School issued 481 suspensions, 30.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Sheldon School are Redland Primary School (0.4 miles), St Peter's CofE Academy (0.6 miles), Frogwell Primary School (0.6 miles) and St Paul's Primary School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.