The Marlborough Church of England School
Woodstock, OX20 1LP · Oxfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
10th 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 691 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.1/10 among them, against 7.8/10 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 | 60.8 · 82 | 30% | 2.47 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.3 · 73 | 25% | 1.82 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 52.5 · 79 | 10% | 0.79 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Marlborough Church of England School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in September 2023. In 2024/25, 62.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 55.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.3 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 6.6 out of 10 among them, against 8.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Christian Union, Drama Club, School of Rock, Chess and Board Games clubs, War Hammer, Guitar Collective, Orchestra, and Choir. Sports include Benchball, Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Netball, and Rugby. The school also offers D of E trips.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,088 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,138. 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 progress given the recent inspection date? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about The Marlborough Church of England School
Overview
The Marlborough Church of England School continues to be a good school, with evidence of improved performance suggesting it could be judged outstanding if a graded inspection were carried out now. The report highlights a supportive community where pupils are proud to take on responsibility and keen to make a positive impact both in school and within the wider community.
Strengths
- Lessons are described as "highly effective," with staff utilising strategies that help pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to "achieve highly."
- The curriculum "precisely identifies the knowledge that pupils need at every stage," ensuring consistent learning and helping pupils retain important skills through strategies like focused reading and subject vocabulary.
- Personal development is a priority, with a "rich selection of timetabled ‘Elective’ activities" supporting pupils’ health, well-being, and wider love of learning.
- Pupils display "calm and highly positive behaviour," underpinned by the school’s values of respect, perseverance, and ambition.
- Sixth-form students feel supported in discussing their future plans, whether for university or apprenticeships, and actively mentor younger pupils.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff trained to identify risks and systems in place to share information with local agencies.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 52.4 |
| 2024/25 | 55.4 |
| 2025/26 | 52.5 |
| 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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