The Oxford Academy

About The Oxford Academy

If you're a parent considering The Oxford Academy, the first thing to know is that it's a popular school. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 209 applications for 177 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.18, and 107 of those applicants listed it as their first preference. That level of demand suggests it holds a strong local reputation, even though official parent view data isn't available in this snapshot. The school is a mixed, Church of England secondary for ages 11-19, with a large roll of 1,113 pupils against a capacity of 1,400. Nearly half of its students (47.2%) are eligible for free school meals, which is significantly above the national average and points to a community with high levels of disadvantage. The headteacher is Nora Ward, and the school has a sixth form, a chapel, and a wide range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, and astro turf pitches.

Academically, the picture is more mixed. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, the school was rated Requires Improvement overall, a step up from its previous Inadequate rating in 2019. Leadership and management, along with sixth-form provision, were both rated Good, but behaviour and attitudes, quality of education, and personal development all need improvement. Exam results reflect this. At GCSE, the school's Progress 8 score was -0.72, which is well below average and ranks it 39th out of 46 schools in Oxfordshire. The local authority average Progress 8 is -0.07, so the gap is substantial. Attainment 8 was 33, and only 25.4% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc entry rate was low at 9.6%. At A-level, the picture is slightly brighter: the sixth form's value-added score was -0.15, which is in the average band, and students achieved an average of C- per entry.

For families weighing up their options, The Oxford Academy offers a genuinely comprehensive package of facilities and extracurricular activities. There are clubs ranging from Eco Club and Gardening to Model UN, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and a school newspaper, plus a strong sports programme including rowing, cricket, and dance. The school also has a broad SEND offer, with provisions for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. It's a school that clearly serves a high-needs community, and the improvement trajectory from Inadequate to Requires Improvement suggests things are moving in the right direction. However, with a Progress 8 score that places it in the bottom 50 nationally and a ranking of 7th out of 7 schools in Oxford city, it's not a strong choice for families prioritising academic outcomes. It would suit parents who value a broad, inclusive environment with strong pastoral and extracurricular offerings over exam results.

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