Ages 
The positive energy at Bartholomew hits you as you walk through the doors. An outstanding school in the widest sense, it has fantastic results for students of all backgrounds, a global outlook despite its rural village location and is leading the way for excellence in state comprehensive education. It’s a happy and highly successful learning environment where everybody can fit in and flourish.
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Headteacher
Headteacher
Mr Craig Thomas
Since 2017, Craig Thomas. He holds a BA in history and an MA in politics from the University of Coventry. He later completed a PGCE at the University of Oxford, beginning his teaching career as a history teacher at John Mason School, where he prog
Entrance
Non-selective and mixed ability. Entrance, including in-year transfers, follows Oxfordshire County Council rules. Applications are on the increase with more families choosing to travel from Oxford and beyond (although no school buses from out of c
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
After GCSEs, some students leave for college courses while over half stay for sixth form. There are taster and induction days as well as established preparation programmes for alternative routes. Some pursue apprenticeships in fields such as trade
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
School is one of the highest-achieving comprehensive schools in the country, an accolade they’re very proud of – and rightly so. GCSE results consistently surpass national averages, with core subjects achieving top national rankings. Last year A l
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Sixth form
In sixth form, STEM subjects are increasingly popular (as is the national trend) with just under 50 per cent of students taking maths. While class sizes may vary, their flexible approach to timetabling allows them to accommodate demand while maint
Learning support & SEN
School has 18 percent of students on the SEND register which is roughly in line with national averages. Students’ needs are placed at the heart of lesson planning in a quality first teaching approach and SEND students have regularly updated passpo
Arts & extracurricular
Three well-resourced art studios, including a large kiln. We saw lots of beautiful and creative work in various mediums, but particular mention goes to the fabulous ceramics on display in the studios and around school. Both art and textile art are
Sport
An advantage of a rural state school is the amount of surrounding space. Bartholomew has AstroTurfs and playing fields as well as hangout areas. Sport at Bartholomew is all about getting involved, staying active and building confidence. The curric
Ethos & heritage
Situated in the village of Eynsham in west Oxfordshire, Bartholomew School was founded in the 18th century by John Liam Bartholomew when a subscription of £87 was given to him to finance the ‘Bartholomew room’. The school remained there until 1847
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
The pastoral hub is a separate cabin with beanbags and breakout rooms. School has a holistic and wide-reaching approach that provides academic, behavioural, emotional and social support to overcome barriers to learning in whatever form they might
Pupils & parents
The students here are content, down-to-earth and appreciate their many opportunities. There’s no urban streetwise edge which one parent told us was one of the reasons they chose it. Children of all ages chat with ease with adults and the atmospher
The last word
The positive energy at Bartholomew hits you as you walk through the doors. An outstanding school in the widest sense, it has fantastic results for students of all backgrounds, a global outlook despite its rural village location and is leading the
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Outstanding
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
Full inspection: Outstanding
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
|---|
