Chipping Norton School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of RIVER LEARNING TRUST

Burford Road, Chipping Norton, OX7 5DY

01608 544998 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 24 September 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths60%England 45% · 2024/25
Joint 10th highest of 41 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 82% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,035Room for 1,462 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 964 in 2019, 961 in 2021, 965 in 2022, 983 in 2023, 1,002 in 2024, 1,029 in 2025, 1,035 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0180 for 179 places, September 2026
15th highest of 39 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 63% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 24 September 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

149 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Oxfordshire comparisons use the 22 of its 42 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 20 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolOxfordshireEngland
My child is happy at this school
Joint 2nd highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 90% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
94% 85% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 2nd highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 83% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
94% 86% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 2nd highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 84% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
91% 76% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 57 parents whose child had been bullied
2nd highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 86% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
63% 49% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 95 parents who had raised a concern
2nd highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 94% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
88% 72% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 32 parents of children with SEND
3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 73% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
72% 62% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
Joint 2nd highest of 22 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 88% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
93%said yes 81% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 14%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Oxfordshire figures pool parents at the Oxfordshire schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

166 pupils in this year group.

60% — 11 points above the Oxfordshire average, and 14 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolOxfordshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 60% 48% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 49.3 46.4 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.9 4.1 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 63%This school 2023/24: 63%This school 2024/25: 60% This school England 45% 2022/23 63% 2023/24 63% 2024/25 60%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

155 pupils in this year group.

95% — 2 points above the Oxfordshire average, and 3 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 53%37%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolOxfordshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 95% 93% 92%
School sixth form 53% 45% 34%
Sixth form college 1% 4% 13%
Further education college 37% 34% 37%
Apprenticeship 3% 4% 3%
Work 2% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%95%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

91 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolOxfordshireEngland
Average A level grade B- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 24% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 54% 53% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 35.7 33.5 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 35.9This school 2023/24: 37.4This school 2024/25: 35.7 This school England 35 2022/23 35.9 2023/24 37.4 2024/25 35.7

A level subjects, 2024/25

18 subjects, 273 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 32 3% 19% 19%
Mathematics 31 19% 42% 40%
Biology 28 0% 11% 27%
Sociology 25 0% 4% 20%
Business Studies:Single 20 0% 5% 16%
English Literature 18 17% 28% 23%
History 17 0% 29% 23%
Chemistry 15 13% 33% 30%
Physics 15 27% 67% 31%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 14 29% 43% 38%
Geography 11 0% 18% 23%
English Language and Literature 10 0% 0% 16%
Mathematics (Further) 10 30% 50% 59%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 8 0% 13% 17%
Religious Studies 7 14% 29% 22%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Design and Technology (Product Design), Computer Studies / Computing, Drama and Theatre Studies.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

91 students in this year group.

86% — 6 points above the Oxfordshire average, and 7 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolOxfordshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 86% 80% 79%
Apprenticeship 4% 7% 7%
Work 29% 38% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
88%86%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

83 students in this year group.

77% — 21 points above the Oxfordshire average, and 17 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolOxfordshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 77% 56% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 35% 18% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
82%77%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Oxfordshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered179
Families who put it first180
Of those, offered a place163 (91%)
Families who listed it at all331

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

Admissions dates and schools in Oxfordshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolOxfordshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
23rd highest of 42 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
18.0% 19.1%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
26th highest of 42 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 57% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.2% 3.5%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
21st highest of 42 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
17.0% 17.1%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
37th highest of 42 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.2% 16.5%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
28th lowest of 42 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Lower than 19% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
10.4% 9.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
26th lowest of 42 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Lower than 40% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
25.5% 24.2%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
8th lowest of 42 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Lower than 77% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
6.6 20.3 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
13th lowest of 42 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Lower than 71% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
4.4% 6.8% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.04% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 28th highest of 42 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 52% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.9 17.5 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 24th highest of 42 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 56% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.1 12.3 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
30th highest of 40 state secondary schools in Oxfordshire.
Higher than 33% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
10.7% 14.1%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Chipping Norton School's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 24 September 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did Chipping Norton School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 60% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 14 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Chipping Norton School?

93% of the 149 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Chipping Norton School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Chipping Norton School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 180 families put Chipping Norton School as their first choice for 179 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 163 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.