Bishop Carpenter Church of England Primary School
Banbury, OX15 6AQ · Oxfordshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
210th 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 3,353 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.3/10 among them, against 1.1/10 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 | 43.0 · 11 | 40% | 0.42 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| 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.
Bishop Carpenter Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.3 out of 10 among them, against 1.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the School Council and can attend an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 98 pupils against a stated capacity of 112. 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 to progress from the expected to the higher standard in core subjects? What specific strategies are used to improve attainment in reading, writing and maths? How does the School Council involve pupils in decision-making processes?
What Ofsted said about Bishop Carpenter Church of England Primary School
Overview
Bishop Carpenter Church of England Primary School continues to be a good school, offering a "friendly and welcoming" environment where pupils are "proud to attend." Leaders share an "ambitious vision," ensuring staff thrive and pupils develop as "well-rounded individuals" with strong characters. The school fosters a strong sense of community where adults and pupils form "strong bonds," helping learners feel comfortable to "try difficult work."
Strengths
- The curriculum is "ambitious for all pupils," with important knowledge "clearly identified" and "largely sequenced carefully" from Reception through to Year 6.
- Early reading instruction is "particularly effective," with a "consistent" approach to phonics that helps pupils "learn to read quickly" and develop a "love of reading."
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are identified quickly and receive "highly effective support," enabling them to "achieve as well as their peers."
- Pupils demonstrate "highly positive attitudes to learning," are "focused and resilient," and benefit from leadership opportunities such as being on the school council or house captains.
- Staff receive valued "professional training and support," and leaders regularly review staff well-being and workload to build in "effective support."
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, work does not always enable pupils to reach "ambitious end points," meaning they "do not learn as well as they could do."
- The school should ensure activities "always help them to develop deep knowledge" and "build systematically on what they know," as current tasks sometimes fail to build on prior learning sufficiently.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 69% |
| 2023/24 | 33% |
| 2024/25 | 43% |
| 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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