Oxford Spires Academy
Oxford, OX4 2AU · Oxfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
11th 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 — 8.4/10 against 883 of them, against 7.2/10 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 | 51.6 · 66 | 30% | 1.99 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.53 · 85 | 25% | 2.12 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.7 · 59 | 10% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Oxford Spires Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 49.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.53 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.0 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in drama and STEM workshops, Societies Day, and Community Action Day. Sports include Sports Day, the Race for Life, the Three Peaks Challenge, and basketball. Trips include Thorpe Park and an overnight residential.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,351 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 the drama and STEM workshops integrated into the weekly timetable?
What Ofsted said about Oxford Spires Academy
Overview
Oxford Spires Academy is described as a ‘highly inclusive school’ where pupils feel part of a ‘beautiful community’. The report highlights an ‘aspirational and supportive’ environment where staff maintain high expectations, resulting in pupils who are happy to attend and conduct themselves respectfully.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘very well designed’, with teachers presenting new learning clearly and focusing on essential knowledge.
- Staff possess strong subject knowledge and use assessments accurately to check understanding, helping pupils make ‘important connections across the curriculum’.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are ‘fully immersed’ in learning and achieve well alongside their peers.
- The school offers an ‘impressive personal development programme’ that prepares pupils for life after school through healthy relationship education and enrichment opportunities.
- Leaders provide effective strategic oversight, and staff feel well supported, particularly those new to the profession.
Areas to improve
- Support for Sixth Form students is ‘too varied’; the school must ensure consistency to help students achieve even better outcomes.
- Disadvantaged pupils do not attend as regularly as they could; the school must improve their attendance so they can benefit fully from learning and wider opportunities.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 48.8 |
| 2024/25 | 46.3 |
| 2025/26 | 47.7 |
| 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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