Oakwood Primary School

About Oakwood Primary School

Oakwood Primary School in Cheltenham was rated Requires Improvement overall in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024, a downgrade from the Good rating it received in its previous inspection. The most telling academic metric is the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined at Key Stage 2, which stood at just 29% in the 2023/24 academic year. That is well below the Gloucestershire local authority average of 59% for primary schools. Oakwood ranked bottom of all 22 primary schools in Cheltenham on this measure, and in the bottom 3% nationally. The school’s average scaled scores in reading and maths were both 98, compared with a national benchmark of 100, and only 5% of pupils reached the higher standard in maths.

The picture is mixed across individual subjects. In writing, 46% of pupils met the expected standard, which is closer to the national average, but only 39% did so in reading and 40% in maths. No pupils reached the higher standard in writing or in reading, writing and maths combined. The school’s overall ranking score of 29 out of 100 places it in the bottom 50 tier nationally. That said, the Ofsted inspection did note strengths in behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, both rated Good. The early years provision was also rated Good, which may offer some reassurance for parents of younger children. With 342 pupils on roll against a capacity of 420, the school is not full, and 41.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is significantly above the national average and reflects the school’s role in a more disadvantaged catchment.

Oakwood offers a range of facilities including a sports hall, forest school, outdoor playground and art studios, plus clubs in coding, art, science and chess. Sports provision includes swimming, rounders, dance and football. The school has a notably broad SEND offer, with provisions for specific learning difficulties, moderate and severe learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. For the 2025/26 intake, the school was oversubscribed with 44 applications for 40 places, though only 23 of those were first-preference applications, suggesting it remains a popular local choice for some families. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary is Gloucester Road Primary School, 2.7 km away. Oakwood is likely to suit families who value a broad range of extracurricular activities and strong SEND support, but who are prepared to work with the school on raising academic outcomes.

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