Icknield Community College
Watlington, OX49 5RB · Oxfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
21st 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 the 810 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.8/10 among them, against 5.7/10 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 | 46.2 · 53 | 30% | 1.60 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.24 · 68 | 25% | 1.70 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.3 · 41 | 10% | 0.41 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Icknield Community College overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, inspected in 2025-01. In 2024/25, 51.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 51.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.24 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.7 out of 10 among them, against 6.9 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the School Council and the South Oxfordshire Athletics Competition. Arts provision includes private music lessons, workshops for *Sister Act* and *Hamilton*, and an illustration workshop. The school also organises DofE expeditions.
Getting in
The published school roll is 804 pupils against a stated capacity of 700. 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 maintain the positive Progress 8 scores seen in recent data? What specific support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Attainment
What Ofsted said about Icknield Community College
Overview
Icknield Community College has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils are proud members of an ambitious and friendly school, benefiting from high expectations and a positive learning ethos. The report confirms that the school continues to provide a broad curriculum and strong pastoral support, ensuring most pupils achieve well.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with knowledge carefully arranged to help pupils "remember more over time."
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge" and typically explain new ideas clearly, correcting errors effectively.
- Pupils value "warm and respectful relationships" with staff, feeling well known and supported by strong pastoral care.
- Reading is a "high priority," with pupils benefiting from diverse texts and targeted support for those at earlier stages.
- Behaviour is "calm and orderly," supported by high expectations and "highly effective pastoral support."
Areas to improve
- In some core subject lessons, "pockets of disadvantaged pupils do not achieve as strongly as their peers" because teachers do not always promptly identify when they struggle to apply new learning.
- The school needs to ensure teaching approaches identify and address when disadvantaged pupils have "insecure understanding," so they "know and remember more over time."
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.2 |
| 2024/25 | 51.2 |
| 2025/26 | 44.3 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of OX49 5RB, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT