The Cooper School
Bicester, OX26 4RS · Oxfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
32nd 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 648 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.5/10 among them, against 3.5/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 38.6 · 34 | 46% | 1.56 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.21 · 34 | 38% | 1.31 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.9 · 39 | 15% | 0.60 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Cooper School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 39.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.21 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse 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 0.5 out of 10 among them, against 3.5 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in Young Enterprise and debating skills clubs, sport tours, theatre visits, visits abroad, and exchange programmes.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,118 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,333. 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 close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the exchange programmes structured for different year groups?
What Ofsted said about The Cooper School
Overview
The Cooper School is undergoing a period of "rapid change and improvement," with significant progress in curriculum design and teaching quality. While pupils who attend regularly achieve well and the sixth form is strong, persistent issues with attendance and behaviour among vulnerable groups hinder overall success.
Strengths
- The curriculum is described as "ambitious and accessible," with clear sequencing that supports pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Teaching staff effectively model new vocabulary and check understanding, helping pupils address misconceptions swiftly.
- Sixth-form provision is praised for high attendance, punctuality, and students’ ability to work independently and produce "high-quality work."
- There is a strong focus on reading, enabling many weaker readers to read with "more confidence and fluency."
- Pupils celebrate differences and benefit from clubs that help them "discover new interests and connect with others."
Areas to improve
- Lesson activities do not consistently support pupils in practising new knowledge, meaning some do not learn as securely as they should.
- Absence rates remain "persistently high" for some vulnerable pupils, causing them to miss vital learning.
- A minority of pupils do not attend timetabled lessons when in school, and suspension rates are too high for some disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
- Communication with stakeholders is not always successful, leading to confusion among staff and parents regarding new expectations.
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 | 44.6 |
| 2024/25 | 41.7 |
| 2025/26 | 43.9 |
| 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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