Orchard Meadow Primary School
Oxford, OX4 6BG · Oxfordshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
172nd 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 3.5/10 against 1,595 of them, against 2.9/10 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 | 56.0 · 30 | 40% | 1.19 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.81 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.74 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Orchard Meadow Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 56.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 3.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Culture Club, Creative Writing, and Arts Nest, alongside netball and football. The school also provides a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 209 pupils against a stated capacity of 472. 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 national median in literacy and numeracy? What specific strategies are used to raise the proportion of pupils reaching the higher standard? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Orchard Meadow Primary School
Overview
Orchard Meadow Primary School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. The report highlights that new leadership has ‘revitalised expectations’, creating a calm and safe environment where pupils feel empowered to ‘work hard and persevere’. While the curriculum is well sequenced and safeguarding is effective, inconsistencies in teaching practice and pandemic-related learning gaps require attention.
Strengths
- Leaders have created a positive culture where pupils feel ‘calm and safe’, with bullying not being a concern.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive ‘bespoke enhanced provision’ that parents say has ‘transformed the education’ for these children.
- The trust provides ‘excellent support’ and robust phonics training, ensuring staff are committed to following the programme precisely.
- Trustees and governors are ‘highly skilled’ and provide ‘excellent challenge’, firmly holding leaders to account.
- The school is ‘highly inclusive’, with pupils embracing difference and accessing rich extracurricular experiences.
Areas to improve
- Teachers are not always clear about curriculum end points, leading to work that does not help pupils learn the intended knowledge.
- Younger pupils are behind in writing transcription due to pandemic disruption and are not meeting age-related expectations.
- In early years, staff do not always know how best to deliver the planned curriculum, with some child-initiated play activities failing to achieve leaders’ intended purpose.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with leaders who ‘unwaveringly keep pupils safe’ and make swift referrals.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 32% |
| 2023/24 | 50% |
| 2024/25 | 56% |
| 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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