St Luke's Academy

St Luke’s Academy is performing well overall, achieving a good rating in all inspected areas, including education quality, behavior, personal development, and leadership. The school has effectively transformed its environment over the last two years, fostering a calmer atmosphere that has positively impacted student learning and engagement. Pupils feel safe, valued, and supported, with a well-structured approach to personal development and career guidance enhancing their overall school experience. The leadership team has successfully implemented a new, ambitious curriculum that meets the needs of its pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs. The school's strong community focus and collaborative staff culture contribute to a positive atmosphere for both pupils and staff. However, there are areas in the curriculum, particularly in science, that require further detail and planning to ensure all pupils progress effectively in their learning journey.

Strengths

• Pupils enjoy attending and feel safe at the school.
• The school environment has improved significantly over the last two years.
• Strong staff-pupil relationships contribute to a supportive atmosphere.
• Ambitious and well-structured curriculum in place.
• Effective behavior management strategies lead to rare incidents of poor behavior.
• Comprehensive personal development curriculum is in place.
• Strong community engagement and positive reputation among families.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum planning in science lacks sufficient clarity for effective learning progression.

In 2024–25 pupils at St Luke's Academy attended 69.9% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 69.8% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 2.4% of pupils at St Luke's Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 St Luke's Academy had 6.7 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 33.3% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 St Luke's Academy had 84 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 St Luke's Academy received £29,320 and spent £23,405 for each of its 83 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £52,000 (£622 per pupil).

Across all 30 schools of The White Horse Federation, income was £7,712 and spending £7,474 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Swindon · Swindon local authority: places and applications

St Luke's Academy is part of The White Horse Federation, which runs 30 schools. The nearest others:

• Grange Infants' School Swindon
• Rodbourne Cheney Primary School Swindon
• Gorse Hill Primary School Swindon
• Grange Junior School Swindon
• Haydon Wick Primary School Swindon
• Moredon Primary School Swindon
• Mountford Manor Primary School Swindon
• Drove Primary School Swindon
• Nyland School Swindon
• The Croft Primary School Swindon

What is St Luke's Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for St Luke's Academy is Good, from an inspection in September 2022.

When was St Luke's Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

St Luke's Academy was last inspected in September 2022.

How many pupils does St Luke's Academy have?

St Luke's Academy has 84 pupils on roll.

What age range does St Luke's Academy cover?

St Luke's Academy for pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is St Luke's Academy?

St Luke's Academy is at Cricklade Road, St Lukes Academy, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN2 7AS.