Bishop Loveday Church of England Primary School
Banbury, OX15 4BN · Oxfordshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
218th 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 4,299 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.5/10 among them, against 2.6/10 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 | 51.0 · 21 | 40% | 0.83 |
| Ofsted | 13 | 35% | 0.45 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 4.0 · 35 | 25% | 0.88 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bishop Loveday Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 51.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 4.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.5 out of 10 among them, against 2.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join the Choir and Forest School, play Swimming, Hockey, Football and Tag Rugby, and participate in Children Singing for Children. Trips include a residential visit to Swanage, rock climbing, archery, rock pooling and orienteering. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 425 pupils against a stated capacity of 424. 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 are below the expected standard in maths? What does a typical day in Forest School involve for Year 2 pupils? How does the school manage the current over-capacity situation for new admissions?
What Ofsted said about Bishop Loveday Church of England Primary School
Overview
Bishop Loveday Church of England Primary School is described as a highly inclusive institution where staff maintain "warm and respectful relationships" and pupils feel safe. The report highlights that children make an "excellent start" in the early years and that leaders have a "clear vision" underpinned by strong pastoral support. While most pupils make secure progress, the inspection notes inconsistencies in how teachers check understanding and deepen learning across the curriculum.
Strengths
- Early years provision is rated at a "Strong standard," with staff ensuring children are "settled and feel safe" and become "confident and independent learners."
- The school is "highly inclusive," with staff identifying needs quickly and providing precise support linked to education, health and care plans.
- Disadvantaged pupils are supported well, accessing the "same high-quality curriculum" and benefiting from targeted interventions to improve engagement.
- Pupils demonstrate strong personal development, living out values such as being "kind" and "honest," and taking on roles like "courageous advocate."
- Partnerships with parents are a "particular strength," with families praising the school’s nurturing ethos and communication.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should strengthen approaches to how teachers "check pupils' knowledge and understanding across the curriculum" to identify gaps more effectively.
- Leaders should ensure the curriculum is "consistently taught well" to enable pupils to "deepen their learning overtime," particularly in subjects where recall is weaker.
- The school should continue to improve attendance, specifically for pupils with "high levels of persistent absence."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring that concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 51% |
| 2023/24 | 58% |
| 2024/25 | 51% |
| 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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