Ages 
In a city packed to the rafters with excellent schools and clever people, Cherwell remains the secondary that parents want and we can see why: intelligent, ungimmicky teaching, lots of opportunities beyond the classroom and a proper cross-section of the city’s teenagers showing up each morning on their bikes. A resourceful school, forward-looking and yet low-key, striking the right balance between dynamic, supportive and pleasingly normal.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 2,008 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 652 ·
- Local authority
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headteacher
Mr Chris Price
Since 2016, Chris Price BA PGCE. Read politics and international relations at Warwick, then a PGCE at Manchester. A brief stint at St Claire’s, a stone’s throw from here, before joining Cherwell as an NQT. ‘I haven’t had teachers in my family,’ he
Entrance
Over 1000 applications for year 7 and 750 for year 12. Two formal primary feeders – Cutteslowe and Wolvercote – are part of the River Trust and get priority. Beyond that, children come from across the catchment area which spans from Peartree
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
More than two-thirds of year 13s go straight on to university, with others split between gap years, art foundations, employment and apprenticeships. Twelve to Oxbridge in 2024 and four to dentistry or medicine; half of university destinations are
% 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, 39 per cent five or more 9-7 grades at GCSE; 41 per cent A*/A at A level (66 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 levels or equivalent - 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
We asked our young guides for their favourite subjects and they reeled off at least four each: ‘Our teachers are really nice and if you finish early they give you extensions,’ they told us; ‘Maths is really cool too.’ English, maths and PE setted
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
School has 77 pupils with EHCPs, a disproportionate number due to hosting local authority bases for autism and hearing impairment. ‘We orientate ourselves towards the most vulnerable,’ says head. ‘Everything’s integrated so the colleagues from the
Arts & extracurricular
Music brilliant and parents praise ‘passionate, caring’ head of music; we came across year 9s on the djembe drums, groups squeezed into music practice rooms to work on their own compositions. Music storage room piled high with cases shaped like
Sport
Smart new 3G pitch, sports halls on both sites and access to Ferry Leisure Centre (not the pool) are complemented by a decent amount of green space for a city school. Nonetheless, a new sports hall is high on the head’s wishlist. Pupils enthusiastic
Ethos & heritage
Despite being founded only in 1963 – a newcomer in a city dominated by medieval institutions – Cherwell is a well-loved part of the north Oxford furniture. Its leafy local catchment and propensity for pen and paper gives the school a slightly
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
More than 2000 on roll with intakes of up to 285 in year 7 and 300 in sixth form; a big school. Two sites, south for years 7 to 9 and north for year 10 upwards, face each other across Marston Ferry Road, connected by an underpass which, though
Pupils & parents
Pupils we met were switched-on and articulate, city kids from diverse backgrounds engaging very happily with school life. Lots know each other from primary school. Parents, very supportive of the school, are a cross-section of central and north
The last word
In a city packed to the rafters with excellent schools and clever people, Cherwell remains the secondary that parents want and we can see why: intelligent, ungimmicky teaching, lots of opportunities beyond the classroom and a proper cross-section of
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 |
