Trowbridge schools

Schools in Trowbridge Wiltshire

Trowbridge is one of Wiltshire’s largest towns, known for its mix of historic heritage, modern amenities, and strong community. Families moving to the area often consider access to Trowbridge schools, transport links, and catchment areas when choosing where to live.

This guide provides an overview of schools in Trowbridge, including local primary and secondary options, admissions considerations, and how schooling in the town compares to other Wiltshire locations. For a broader overview of schooling across Wiltshire, see our guide to schools in Wiltshire.

An overview of schools in Trowbridge Wiltshire

Trowbridge has a wide range of schools serving the town and surrounding villages, both state and independent. Most schools are state-funded and operate under Wiltshire Council school admissions.

Key characteristics of Trowbridge schooling include:

  • Multiple early years and primary school options across the town
  • Secondary education serving Trowbridge and nearby villages
  • Availability of sixth-form and post-16 options, sometimes requiring travel
  • School choice influenced by catchment areas and transport links

As with the rest of Wiltshire, Trowbridge does not operate a grammar school system.

Early years and nursery provision in Trowbridge

Trowbridge has several early years settings, including nurseries and pre-schools, supporting children before statutory school age. Availability, session times, and funding options vary between providers.

Early years settings in Trowbridge include:

  • Busy Bees – A well-established nursery providing early years childcare and education for children from infancy through to pre-school age, with flexible session options.
  • Green Shoots Nursery – An early years setting offering childcare and learning for younger children, with an emphasis on outdoor play and early development.
  • Longscroft Nursery – A private nursery providing full-day and part-time childcare for children from an early age, serving families across Trowbridge.
  • Lumiar Nursery – A nursery setting offering early years education and childcare, supporting children from nursery age through to pre-school.
  • Seesaw Nursery – A local nursery providing early years provision for families in and around Trowbridge, with a focus on early learning and development.
  • Studley Green Children’s Centre – A children’s centre offering early years provision alongside family support services, serving local communities in Trowbridge.

Families should check directly with providers for age ranges, funded hours, and current availability.

Primary schools in Trowbridge

Primary schools in Trowbridge typically serve defined catchment areas. They include community schools, academies, and faith-based schools. Distance from the school and local catchment policies often influence admissions.

Primary schools in Trowbridge include:

  • Castle Mead Primary School – A community primary school serving families in the local Trowbridge area, providing education from early years through to Year 6.
  • Grove Primary School – A primary school located close to the town centre, serving a defined catchment area within Trowbridge.
  • Holbrook Primary School – A community primary school serving residential areas to the west of Trowbridge, offering education from early years to Year 6.
  • Newton Community Primary School – A larger community primary school serving the northern parts of Trowbridge, with a broad intake across the town.
  • Southwick Primary School – A primary school located in the village of Southwick, serving families from Southwick and parts of western Trowbridge, depending on catchment boundaries.
  • St John’s Catholic Primary School – A faith-based primary school in Trowbridge where admissions criteria include religious considerations, serving the local Catholic community.
  • The Mead Community Primary School – A community primary school serving families in central and eastern Trowbridge, offering education from early years through primary age.
  • Walwayne Court Primary School – A primary school serving the south-east of Trowbridge, with admissions influenced by local catchment areas and distance from the school.

As with all Wiltshire primary schools, living within a catchment area does not guarantee a place if schools are oversubscribed.

Secondary schools serving Trowbridge

Secondary education in Trowbridge is served by local comprehensive schools, alongside options in nearby towns, such as Bath, Bradford-on-Avon, and Chippenham, depending on catchment areas and personal preference.

Secondary schools serving Trowbridge include:

  • Clarendon Academy – A comprehensive secondary school with sixth-form provision, serving pupils from Trowbridge and surrounding areas.
  • John of Gaunt School – A comprehensive secondary school offering education through to sixth form, serving Trowbridge and nearby villages.
  • Oasis Academy Longmeadow – A secondary academy serving parts of Trowbridge, with admissions managed in line with Wiltshire Council policies.
  • St Augustine’s Catholic College – A faith-based secondary school serving the Catholic community in Trowbridge and surrounding areas. Admissions criteria include religious considerations.
  • Silverwood School – A specialist school providing education for children and young people with additional needs, serving Trowbridge and the wider Wiltshire area.
  • Staverton School – A specialist provision offering education for pupils with additional educational needs, serving Trowbridge and nearby communities.

Some families living in Trowbridge may also consider secondary schools in neighbouring towns depending on catchment boundaries, subject availability, or transport links.

Sixth form and post-16 education near Trowbridge

Trowbridge offers a broader range of post-16 education options than many other Wiltshire towns, making it a key destination for sixth-form and further education across the county.

Post-16 options in and around Trowbridge include:

  • School sixth forms
    Several secondary schools in Trowbridge offer sixth-form provision, including Clarendon Academy and John of Gaunt School. These typically provide A-level courses alongside some vocational options.
  • Trowbridge College
    Part of Wiltshire College & University Centre, Trowbridge College offers a wide range of academic, technical, and vocational courses for students aged 16 and over. It attracts students from across West Wiltshire and beyond.
  • Specialist and alternative provision
    Some students access specialist post-16 pathways through schools such as Silverwood School, depending on individual needs and education plans.
  • Travel to nearby towns and cities
    While many students stay in Trowbridge for post-16 education, others choose to travel to nearby locations such as Bath or Chippenham for specific sixth-form or college courses.

Families should consider course availability and travel arrangements when planning post-GCSE pathways. For more details on sixth-form options near Trowbridge, check our Bath sixth-form guide.

Private schools Trowbridge

While most families choose local state schools, there are  a few private school options in Trowbridge, as well as multiple independent schools, including day and boarding schools, within reasonable travel distance.

Private school options include:

  • Emmaus School – A faith based school established in 1997 to educate children, aged 5-16 years,  to a high standard, in preparation for contemporary society
  • Lumiar School  – A progressive, non-competitive independent school for children aged 4-14, with a focus on personalised learning and wellbeing alongside academic development.

For more information on private schools near Trowbridge read our guide to private schools in Bath and private schools in Wiltshire.

How Trowbridge fits into schooling in Wiltshire

Trowbridge is often compared with other Wiltshire towns such as Chippenham, Melksham, and Bradford on Avon when families decide where to live.

Related guides:

Each area offers a different balance of school choice, catchment size, and community feel.

Trowbridge Schools: Frequently asked questions

Are schools in Trowbridge good?

Trowbridge has a range of well-regarded schools, with quality varying by school and year group. Families are encouraged to check Ofsted reports and visit Trowbridge schools where possible.

How many secondary schools serve Trowbridge?

Trowbridge has several secondary schools serving the town and surrounding villages, including options with sixth forms.

Do children have to travel for school in Trowbridge?

Some pupils travel from nearby villages, especially for secondary education or specialist courses.

Are there private schools in Trowbridge?

There are a couple of smaller independent schools in Trowbridge, and several private options within reasonable travel distance.

Do Trowbridge schools offer after-school clubs or wraparound care?

Many primary and some secondary schools in Trowbridge offer after-school clubs, breakfast clubs, and wraparound care to support working families. Availability and session times vary by school, so parents should check directly with individual providers.

Which Trowbridge schools have specialist provisions?

Specialist education is available at schools such as Silverwood School and Staverton School, which cater to pupils with additional learning needs. Some secondary schools also offer post-16 specialist pathways for students with specific academic or vocational requirements.