Ages 
‘Truly comprehensive and proudly so,’ says head – and to us this sums up Cherwell. Yes, the academics are good but crucially, in the words of one parent, ‘Cherwell students really get an education in what society is actually like.’ Coupled with a dynamic academic faculty, more sporting and extracurricular opportunities than they have time for, and an open minded and supportive student cohort, it’s definitely one for the list.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 2,019 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 652 ·
- Local authority
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headteacher
Mr Chris Price
Since 2016, Chris Price BA PGCE (40s). A local boy, grew up and was schooled in Oxford then read politics and international relations at Warwick before heading to the Manchester Institute of Education for his PGCE. A rare example of a head who has
Entrance
Non-selective. Oversubsubscribed from within catchment and around a dozen local feeder primaries, apart from the two resource bases which take students with EHC plans or by referral. Sixth form attracts students from local state and, surprisingly,
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
About two-thirds stay on to the sixth form. Around half of those to Russell Group, with 16 to Oxbridge and seven medics/dentists/vets in 2023. Oxford Brookes, Bristol, UCL, Sheffield, Manchester and Bath currently popular. Smaller numbers to
% 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 2023, 41 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 33 per cent A*/A at A level (57 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 42 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 35 per cent A*/A at A level (60 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
Holding its position as one of the best state maintained secondaries in Oxfordshire, and state school of choice to the great and good of Oxford’s academic and medical set, Cherwell’s results belie its entirely mixed ability cohort. Although its size
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Large and busy learning support department known as The Base looks after the 13 per cent of student cohort on the SEND register. Two specialist resource bases, for hearing impairment and communication and interaction (autism), run within – and as an
Arts & extracurricular
Art, music and drama on curriculum for all year 7s although the latter two not especially popular with those we spoke to and reasonably low take up at GCSE. Extracurricular music, however, thrives and there is a multitude of choirs, bands and
Sport
‘We’re a very sporty school,’ our pupil guides told us and the plethora of team photos adorning the walls in the South Site sports hall concur. There are fixtures for A to C teams and the spectrum covers all major sports including rugby and football
Ethos & heritage
Despite its attractive leafy environs, Cherwell’s never going to win any beauty contests – especially given the local competition. A mainly low-rise collection of very tired buildings date back as far as 1963 when the school was founded. The head
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Culture of school is ‘palpably strong’, according to head, in relation to staff:student relationships, which makes for a happy ship. Such is the extent of this that sixth formers reported ‘missing school’ in the holidays. There’s a clear ‘behaviour
Pupils & parents
Diversity in evidence at every turn as students buzz around school, and although the cohort is largely (65 to 70 per cent) middle class, with parents working at the university, hospitals, NGOs and the professions, school also serves some of Oxford’s
The last word
‘Truly comprehensive and proudly so,’ says head – and to us this sums up Cherwell. Yes, the academics are good but crucially, in the words of one parent, ‘Cherwell students really get an education in what society is actually like.’ Coupled with a
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 |
