The Commonweal School was founded in 1927 where most of the first Commonweleans had been transferred from the College and Euclid Street Secondary Schools. The original building was designed for just 410 pupils in total. September 1939 saw a sudden rise in numbers to 530 pupils, half from East Ham Grammar School plus 'detached' evacuees. In 1965, it became a Senior High School, taking pupils of all abilities aged 14 to 18. There was a second re-organisation in 1983 when Commonweal became a seven-form entry comprehensive school for pupils aged 11 to 16, therefore losing its sixth form. Its Academy Status was awarded on 1 August 2011, previously, it had been a foundation school. An expansion in September 2014 saw the opening of its brand new Sixth Form, known as C6.
Leadership
Over the last ninety years, Commonwealeans have seen many Headmasters. Mr 'Tam' Hartley was the first headmaster. Doctor C.E Jones was appointed Headmaster of Commonweal back in 1932, the namesake of the Shield awarded to the house that annually wins Sports Day. Keith Defter succeeded Michael Salt following his retirement in 1998. Bob Linnegar took over in September 2016.
School houses
There are four school houses within Commonweal which are each named after a historical site within Wiltshire. Each house is designated its own colour and head and deputy.
Ridgeway
Sarum
Stonehenge
Whitehorse
Upon arrival at the school, each student is placed within a house. This house will act as a 'Community' for the students, as students will compete in 'Interhouse Events' throughout the year. The house with the most points will be awarded the interhouse shield. The house that wins sports day will be awarded the prestigious 'Dr. Jones' Shield'. Whilst in their final year of Commonweal, students are able to apply to become house officials, otherwise known as Prefects.
In December 2012, it was announced by the Head that the Department for Education had accepted the school's bid for a sixth form. This opened in September 2014 with places for up to 300 students in new, purpose-built facilities, funded by the Department for Education. The sixth form provides a range of academic courses, alongside a varied enrichment programme.
Academic performance
At the most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2017, the school received a rating of 'Good' in all categories, leading to an overall effectiveness rating of 'Good'. In a Kirkland Rowell survey of students in September 2016, 57% of students gave an overall satisfaction rating of 'Good' and 23% 'Very good'.
