Appleton Church of England (A) Primary School
Abingdon, OX13 5JL · Oxfordshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
158th of 230 primary schools in Oxfordshire we can score, 244 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,809 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.0/10 among them, against 3.6/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 65.0 · 52 | 40% | 2.08 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.81 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Appleton Church of England (A) Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 65.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The proportion reaching the higher standard was 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2022. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.0 out of 10 among them, against 3.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 139 pupils against a stated capacity of 196. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who do not reach the higher standard in their core subjects? What specific activities are available within the breakfast and after-school clubs? How has the teaching approach changed since the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Appleton Church of England (A) Primary School
Overview
Appleton Church of England (A) Primary School is judged ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, including the quality of education, behaviour, and leadership. The report highlights a school with ‘high expectations’ where staff and pupils share ‘mutual respect’, creating a ‘safe and welcoming’ environment. Leaders have established a ‘well-crafted and coherent curriculum’ that prepares pupils effectively for their next steps, particularly in core subjects like mathematics and science.
Strengths
- Pupils are described as ‘kind’ and ‘resilient learners’ who form ‘strong friendships’ and contribute positively to the community through charity work and the ‘happiness hub’.
- The curriculum in subjects such as mathematics and science is ‘precisely’ designed, ensuring pupils gain a ‘rich understanding’ of essential knowledge from Reception to Year 6.
- Staff prioritise a ‘love of reading’, using systematic phonics and high-quality books to help children read with ‘confidence’ and ‘fluency’.
- Leaders invest heavily in staff training, resulting in a ‘happy and effective team’ where governors and leaders have an ‘accurate understanding’ of the school’s strengths.
Areas to improve
- In ‘a handful of subjects’, curriculum design is ‘not as strong’, meaning pupils do not deepen their understanding as well as they could; leaders must ensure all subjects are ‘well designed’.
- Teaching is ‘not always adapted sufficiently’ for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including reading support, preventing some from achieving as well as they could.
- Leaders’ and governors’ monitoring of aspects such as behaviour and attendance is ‘not always sharp enough’, requiring more precise evaluation of the impact of their work.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’, with staff noticing risks swiftly, reporting concerns promptly, and working well with external agencies.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 63% |
| 2023/24 | 58% |
| 2024/25 | 65% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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