SchoolScoresThe Cherwell School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of RIVER LEARNING TRUST
Marston Ferry Road, Oxford, OX2 7EE
01865 558719 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 19 October 2022.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
269 pupils in this year group.
66% — 18 points above the Oxfordshire average, and 21 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Oxfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 66% | 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. | 58.3 | 46.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.3 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
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.
283 pupils in this year group.
93% — about the same as the Oxfordshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Oxfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 63% | 45% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | Not published | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 22% | 34% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 93% |
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
312 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Oxfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 41% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 66% | 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. | 40.3 | 33.5 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
27 subjects, 977 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 140 | 30% | 61% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 88 | 15% | 44% | 30% |
| Biology | 86 | 14% | 34% | 27% |
| Economics | 85 | 2% | 14% | 26% |
| Physics | 72 | 25% | 64% | 31% |
| Psychology | 71 | 7% | 17% | 19% |
| History | 63 | 21% | 46% | 23% |
| Business Studies:Single | 56 | 2% | 14% | 16% |
| English Literature | 47 | 34% | 53% | 23% |
| Sociology | 43 | 9% | 21% | 20% |
| Geography | 41 | 15% | 29% | 23% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 35 | 34% | 74% | 59% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 28 | 29% | 50% | 24% |
| Religious Studies | 27 | 15% | 44% | 22% |
| French | 19 | 26% | 79% | 38% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 15 | 13% | 33% | 38% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 11 | 9% | 18% | 17% |
| Spanish | 10 | 10% | 60% | 34% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 8 | 0% | 13% | 19% |
| Art and Design (Textiles) | 7 | 0% | 43% | 36% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 6 | 0% | 17% | 15% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Photography), German, Music, Russian, History of Art, Polish.
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.
303 students in this year group.
87% — 7 points above the Oxfordshire average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Oxfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 87% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 7% | 7% |
| Work | 39% | 38% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 79% | 87% |
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.
352 students in this year group.
84% — 28 points above the Oxfordshire average, and 24 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Oxfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 84% | 56% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 51% | 18% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 77% | 84% |
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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 243 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 396 |
| Of those, offered a place | 242 (61%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 965 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.4 · 2026: 1.6
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 30 places for hearing impairment; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Oxfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Oxford. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.6% | 19.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Oxford. Higher than 66% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.6% | 3.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Oxford. Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.6% | 17.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Oxford. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.9% | 16.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Oxford. Lower than 70% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.2% | 9.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Oxford. Lower than 70% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 19.4% | 24.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Oxford. Lower than 87% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.8 | 20.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Oxford. Lower than 84% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 6.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Oxford. Higher than 41% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 6th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Oxford. Higher than 35% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Oxford. Higher than 12% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Oxford High School GDST 0.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 64% A*/A at A level
- Summer Fields School 0.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- St Clare's, Oxford 0.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 0% A*/A at A level
- St Edward's School 0.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 37% A*/A at A level
- Dragon School 0.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Wychwood School 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 18% A*/A at A level
- d'Overbroeck's 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 58% A*/A at A level
- The Swan School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 68% grade 5+ English and maths
- New College School 1.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Cherwell College Oxford 1.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 23% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Cherwell School's Ofsted rating?
The Cherwell School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 October 2022.
How did The Cherwell School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 66% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 21 points above the England average of 45%.
Is The Cherwell School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 396 families put The Cherwell School as their first choice for 243 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 242 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137970.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.