Sheldon School

Sheldon School is a mixed, comprehensive, non‑denominational secondary school with a sixth form, situated in Chippenham, Wiltshire. It is an academy supported by a single‑academy trust, the Sheldon School Trust. The school has a total capacity of 1,600 students aged 11–18. The Headteacher, Peter Lynch, was appointed two years ago, and the school has undergone significant change during this time, but has built upon the schools fantastic local and national reputation for excellence.  The most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024 rated the school Good in all categories, and GCSE and A Level results have improved over the last two years and are above the National average. However, there is still work to be done, and the school is on a journey of continued improvement. If you would like to help shape this journey, please read on.

Our vision

To provide high-quality education, enrichment and pastoral care that improves the life chances of all students.

Our Aims

• Sheldon school is a family, where high quality relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We ensure that all students feel safe and cared for.
  • We aim to ensure that every student can thrive regardless of social background, academic ability or special educational need.
  • We recognise that education is more than what happens in the classroom and are rightly proud of the experiences students will receive through our extra- curricular offer, trips and visits.
  • We pride ourselves on having the highest expectations of all students and staff.
  • We are passionate about working together with parents and our wider community to ensure success for all our pupils.
  • We are kind, brave and try our best at all times.

Our School Development Plan has 3 focus areas that we intend to deliver over the next 3 years. They are split into the following areas:

1. High Quality Education

Objective: To deliver a consistently high standard of education that meets the needs of all learners, ensuring academic excellence, which creates well rounded students who contribute to society and are successful.

Key Focus Areas

• Curriculum Development
• Adaptive Teaching and Inclusion
• Checking for Understanding
• Teaching and Learning
• Alternative Provision Develop
• Whole School Literacy

2. A Positive School Culture at the Heart of the Local Community

Objective: To create a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment where students thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Foster a sense of belonging and responsibility, both within the school and the wider community.

Key Focus Areas

• Character Education and Personal Development
• Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
• Extracurricular Activities
• Positive Attendance
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Parental and Community Engagement

3. A Sustainable School that is Built and Staffed for 21st Century

Objective: To foster a culture of continuous professional growth and development for all staff, ensuring world-class teaching and leadership, while also committing to financial and environmental sustainability within the school community.

Key Focus Areas

• High Quality CPD
• Work-Life Balance and Wellbeing for
• Staff Recruitment and Retention
• Leadership Development
• Staff Collaboration and Sharing Best Practice
• Financial and Environmental Sustainability

The school focus areas for Academic Year 2025-26 are below

KS4 Basics score of 80% 4+ and 60% 5+ and KS5 L3VA +0.20 (ensuring that all students, but particularly the disadvantaged (PP & SEN), achieve exceptional academic outcomes)

1. To establish and embed a whole school approach to disciplinary literacy and introduce literacy during tutor time/homework
2. Improve attendance for all students including , but particularly that of vulnerable students
3. KS3 Assessment and Key Learning intentions, knowledge and skills of students and are clearly understood by all stakeholders
4. Improve the consistency of teaching resources for individual subject areas, to include the Sheldon Teaching and learning framework and TLAC
5. Continue to have financial awareness, ensure that all staff are making good choices for the long term
6. Continue to improve and refine the whole school approach to behaviour, the systems and procedures that enable disruptive free teaching
7. Look at improving the whole school SEMH provision and strategies, to ensure that we are creating an environment of warmth and utilise our value of being kind
8. Governance and stakeholders relationships with the LT team and school staff
9. Staff wellbeing- continue to keep staff wellbeing at the heart of everything we do

For more information about Sheldon School, please visit www.sheldonschool.co.uk or follow on Facebook @sheldonsch and Instagram @thesheldonschool. You can contact the school at 01249766020 or email admin@sheldonschool.co.uk