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Bartholomew School

West Oxfordshire, OX29 4APSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Outstanding
May 2024
Progress 8
+0.80
Well above average
−20+2
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
197 1st-choice / 213 places
Ranking
🏆Top 10%
#190 of 3,141 nationally

About Bartholomew School

Bartholomew School is a highly sought-after secondary in West Oxfordshire, and the numbers tell a clear story of parental demand. For the 2025/26 admissions cycle, the school received 585 applications for just 213 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2. 75. Of the 197 first-preference applications, 195 were offered places, meaning that while the school is heavily oversubscribed, families who put it first stand a very strong chance. This level of competition reflects the school’s reputation locally, and while the data doesn’t include a specific parent-view survey percentage, the sheer volume of applications is a powerful signal in itself. The school is led by headteacher Craig Thomas and has a capacity of 1,325 pupils, currently housing 1,383, so it is running slightly above its official roll. It is a mixed, non-religious state secondary with a sixth form, and it is not a boarding school.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressWitney Road, Witney, West Oxfordshire, OX29 4AP
HeadteacherCraig Thomas
Local AuthorityOxfordshire
Number of Pupils1,383
Free School Meals (FSM)11.3%
School Capacity1,383 / 1,325 (104% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

14 May 2024
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Sixth Form Provision
Outstanding

Source: Ofsted, 17 Jun 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultySevere LearningOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:30 – 15:05

Source: bartholomew.oxon.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bartholomew School

Bartholomew School has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This means the school provides an exceptional quality of education, and pupils thrive both academically and personally.