St Nicholas CofE Primary School
Wantage, OX12 9RY · Oxfordshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
137th 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 4.4/10 against 3,450 of them, against 4.5/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 53.0 · 24 | 40% | 0.96 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 25% | 1.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Nicholas CofE Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 53.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared with the national median of 64%. A higher 13.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (4.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils attend Forest School trips, with both breakfast and after-school clubs available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 121 pupils against a stated capacity of 105. 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 specific support is provided for pupils who have not reached the expected standard in maths? How does the Forest School curriculum integrate with the main academic timetable?
What Ofsted said about St Nicholas CofE Primary School
Overview
St Nicholas CofE Primary School continues to be a good school, where pupils feel happy, safe, and proud to belong. Leaders are ambitious for pupils, fostering a strong sense of community where kindness is valued and bullying is rare. The curriculum is generally well-planned, particularly in core subjects, though some areas require further refinement to ensure consistent learning outcomes.
Strengths
- Pupils thrive in a nurturing environment where adults have high expectations and support those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively.
- In subjects such as mathematics, reading, and geography, pupils have a secure understanding of what they have learned because teaching builds logically on prior knowledge.
- Reading is a priority, with staff well-trained to deliver phonics and selected texts that act as ‘windows to the world’ and ‘mirrors looking in’, promoting diversity and a love of literature.
- Pupils enjoy taking on responsibilities, such as in the eco-committee or school council, and demonstrate tolerance and understanding towards one another.
- Staff report a positive team feel, with leaders mindful of workload and well-being, creating a supportive culture for adults.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, leaders have not identified the knowledge teachers need to teach precisely enough, meaning pupils are not always learning as much as they could.
- Leaders need to continue to refine the curriculum to identify and map out the exact knowledge pupils need to learn and when they need to learn it.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with all adults understanding reporting procedures and leaders acting on concerns in a timely way.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 36% |
| 2023/24 | 50% |
| 2024/25 | 53% |
| 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
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 OX12 9RY, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT