UTC Oxfordshire

About UTC Oxfordshire

UTC Oxfordshire’s headline Progress 8 score of -0.84 sits well below the Oxfordshire local authority average of -0.07 for secondary schools, placing it in the bottom 50 nationally and 40th out of 46 similar schools in the county. This is a significant gap, and it’s worth noting that the school’s Attainment 8 score of 36 is also modest. However, the picture isn’t uniformly bleak: the Progress 8 score for maths is -0.08, which is much closer to the LA average, suggesting that maths teaching is a relative strength. The school also achieves a basics 9-4 pass rate of 55.6%, meaning over half of pupils secure grade 4 or above in English and maths. For a school that only takes pupils from age 14, these figures need to be read in context — students arrive with varied prior attainment, and the school’s mission is to build on that over just two or three years.

At Key Stage 5, the sixth form is small, with just 27 pupils in the data, and the average points per entry of 24.45 equates to a D+ grade. The value-added score of -0.15 is classed as ‘Average’ by the Department for Education, meaning students leave sixth form with results broadly in line with expectations given their starting points. The best three A-levels average out at a C- grade, and 6.7% of entries achieved AAB or higher. The school’s Ebacc entry rate is 0%, which reflects its technical and vocational focus rather than a traditional academic pathway. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in December 2023, the school was rated Good overall, with Good marks across all categories including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership. This is consistent with its previous Good rating from 2018, showing stability in leadership under headteacher Emma Reynolds.

The school is significantly undersubscribed, with 290 pupils against a capacity of 600, and 29.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals — well above the national average. Facilities are strong for a school of this size, including a swimming pool, theatre, sports hall, and a dedicated sixth form centre. The SEND provision is comprehensive, covering eight areas including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and physical disabilities. Extracurricular offerings include the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Young Enterprise, and a range of sports from rugby to martial arts. This is a school that will suit families looking for a smaller, more specialised environment for their teenager, particularly those who may not thrive in a large mainstream secondary and who value strong pastoral support and a technical or applied curriculum over a traditional academic route.

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