Cheney School
Oxford, OX3 7QH · Oxfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
18th of 40 secondary schools in Oxfordshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.7/10 against 877 of them, against 5.8/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 46.5 · 54 | 30% | 1.63 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.19 · 64 | 25% | 1.60 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.0 · 55 | 10% | 0.55 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Cheney School overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023. In 2024/25, 48.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.19 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils take part in a trip to Venice.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,706 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,615. 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
What support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are places allocated for the Venice trip?
What Ofsted said about Cheney School
Overview
Cheney School continues to be a good school, maintaining a "vibrant and inclusive culture" with high standards of behaviour. The report highlights a "broad and ambitious curriculum" that supports most pupils, including those with special educational needs, in making positive transitions to further education or training.
Strengths
- Staff possess "strong, collective subject knowledge" and have carefully planned content that connects to the wider world through themes like sustainability and diversity.
- The school places a "high priority on reading," with dedicated library staff helping reluctant readers become "enthusiastic about books."
- A "rich personal development programme" and strong careers education prepare pupils well for future study, employment, and keeping themselves safe.
- "Consistent lesson routines" ensure classrooms are calm, helping pupils develop independence and positive learning habits.
- Parents and carers are "very positive about the school," particularly appreciating its "caring and supportive ethos."
Areas to improve
- The attendance of some pupils, including some from disadvantaged backgrounds, is "not yet high enough," causing them to miss out on education and wider development.
- In a few areas, the curriculum is "not delivered as leaders intend," meaning some pupils do not achieve as highly as they could; staff need better knowledge to help pupils remember and apply learning.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with trustees and governors fulfilling their statutory duties rigorously.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.9 |
| 2024/25 | 46.0 |
| 2025/26 | 47.0 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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