Ages 
Set in 40 acres on the edge of beautiful Burford, this historic yet innovative school balances academic rigour, personal development, and a caring community. While its facilities may be less flashy than some independents, it provides a fantastic comprehensive education with excellent teaching of a rich, broad curriculum that places equal values on the arts, sports and academics. The homely, traditional and popular boarding option adds diversity to the rural catchment and is a real gem in the Burford crown. With such opportunities and strengths across the board, pupils find and follow their passions – which is, for Burford, the biggest measure of success.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,439 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 215 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Fees
- No day fees; Boarding £12,300 pa
- Local authority
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headteacher
Mr Matthew Albrighton
Since 2021, Matthew Albrighton MA (Cantab) PGCE. Attended Warwick School before reading geography at St Catharine’s, Cambridge. His first career steps were in finance (the family trade) before a calling to education and a PGCE at the University of
Entrance
Non-selective and follows Oxfordshire County Council entry procedure. A tight four-mile catchment taking from nine partnered primary schools first and then those closest in proximity. Entry for boarding places is wider – applicants with a British
- Open days
- September
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Approximately 50 per cent leave after completing their GCSEs to pursue apprenticeships or vocational courses at local colleges such as Abingdon and Witney, City of Oxford, and Cirencester. Additional pupils join the very popular sixth form from
% 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
In 2024, 22 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 76 per cent 9-4 in both English and maths. At A level, 24 per cent A*/A (53 per cent A*-B).
GCSE - % 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.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Not many schools can boast 450 years of history and such longstanding regard but no-one is letting the grass grow under their feet. Rather, efforts to improve the consistent quality of the education have been turbocharged in recent years with
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Sixth form
The sixth from area is made up of cool hangout spaces and study areas. It’s decorated in muted colours with ambient, funky lighting and furniture. They have their own cafeteria (paninis are the go-to) as well as outdoor areas to chill, eat or kick a
Learning support & SEN
Seventeen per cent of pupils are on the SEN register, which is slightly below average. School provides support for the full range of SEN but largest needs are in dyslexia, ADHD and autism. A range of interventions from one-to-one specialist support,
Arts & extracurricular
Years 7-9 study art, photography, and ceramics on rotation. Art and photography are independent GCSE and A level options with good take-up. Fabulous, striking work is displayed in both the school hall and the art block, although we would have liked
Sport
An enviable 40 acres of school land includes football, rugby, hockey and cricket pitches. There’s netball for the girls and tennis courts (although these were being used as an overflow carpark the day of our visit). School regularly hosts cricket
Boarders
Lenthall House, a pretty 17th-century boarding house, is nestled in the heart of the medieval market town of Burford. It’s located at the bottom of the hill so boarders walk to and from school (about 15 mins though quicker down than up!). Single-sex
Ethos & heritage
Founded as a grammar school in 1571 by local merchant Simon Wysdom for the sons of Burford’s tradesmen (girls joined in the 1920s). Burford is proud of its history and history buffs should check out a copy of its original charter in reception. Once
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Burford is sometimes said to be more akin to the independent than the state sector, perhaps due to its long heritage and boarding option. The head clarified, ‘It’s not accurate. We’re fully and proudly a large, rural comprehensive and our intake
Pupils & parents
Parents work in a range of industries including farming, commerce, finance, media and health care. Day pupils’ families are from the local Cotswold villages, while boarders’ families are often international, which means an interesting mix. One parent
Money matters
LA-funded education, with boarding at £11,250 pa.
- Fee information
- No day fees; Boarding £12,300 pa
The last word
Set in 40 acres on the edge of beautiful Burford, this historic yet innovative school balances academic rigour, personal development, and a caring community. While its facilities may be less flashy than some independents, it provides a fantastic
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Short inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Good |
