Ages 
Stretching the brightest and supporting those who need extra while opening opportunities far beyond the reaches of an already broad curriculum, a truly comprehensive school serving its community with pride and gusto. We met charming, articulate, engaging students rightly proud of their school and what it offers and aware of how lucky they are to be Williamsians.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 2,270 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 563 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headteacher
Neil Dimbleby
Since 2024, Neil Dimbleby. Born and bred in Berkshire, attending Windsor Boys’ School as a pupil and then, having graduated, going back there to teach. It was a natural move: ‘I thoroughly enjoyed my own school experience, I loved going to school, I
Entrance
Non-selective and oversubscribed. Nine primary schools in Thame, Chinnor, Aston Rowant and Tetsworth in Oxfordshire, and Brill and Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire, are feeders. Designated (catchment) area from just north of Brill to just south of
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
After A levels, 77 per cent of pupils stay in education. Oxford Brookes, Bristol, UWE, Birmingham and Nottingham Trent the most popular destinations in recent years.
% 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 2025, 22 per cent 9-7, 47 per cent 9-5 in both maths and English at GCSE. At A level, 24 per cent A*/A (51 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
A broad, traditional curriculum in key stage 3 which opens out to include more vocational options from year 10. From year 7, students learn in mixed ability tutor groups for most of their subjects, other than maths and PE which are both taught in
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Almost 11 per cent of students need SEN support, slightly under the national average. Learning support bases on each site deliver individualised teaching as required, though inclusion is central to the school’s ethos and students remain in mainstream
Arts & extracurricular
Bustling arts scene involving a wide cross-section of the school community. ‘They’re doing arts all the time, a lot of enrichment activities,’ says head. ‘A lot of schools have pulled back from the stuff that traditionally happened but it’s still
Sport
PE taught in two ability bands (just the idea gives us ‘last to be picked’ flashbacks), which pupils feel is kinder all round. Our guides considered netball and football to be the school’s strongest sports – ‘We missed qualifying for the regionals by
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1559 by Lord Willliams of Thame, Masters of the Jewels whose involvement in the dissolution of the monasteries won him Thame Abbey in 1535; he bequeathed a sum to start a local boys’ grammar school. Since 1575 the school’s been associated
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Just under 350 students in a year group – drops to under 300 in sixth form – making this the biggest school in the county, but split site effectively creates two schools with lesson changeovers fixed at 20 minutes to allow staff to travel from one to
Pupils & parents
A comprehensive intake within the area it serves; the majority of local families send their children here. More than 80 per cent of students are white British; under 14 per cent are eligible for free school meals (significantly lower than national
Money matters
School can help towards cost of uniform, trips, ACE week and essential equipment or materials – LWS online shop carries many resources at a reduced price. SCOPAY system allows parents to manage spending on catering or trips easily from an app.
The last word
Stretching the brightest and supporting those who need extra while opening opportunities far beyond the reaches of an already broad curriculum, a truly comprehensive school serving its community with pride and gusto. We met charming, articulate,
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Good |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form provision | Good |
