North Oxfordshire Academy

On the northern fringe of Banbury, where market town meets open countryside, North Oxfordshire Academy has transformed what was once a struggling comprehensive into a genuine success story. The school opened in September 2007, replacing Drayton School after years of turbulence, and has since earned a solid reputation as an inclusive, ambitious secondary serving the local community. With approximately 1,000 students aged 11 to 18, the academy operates as part of United Learning and holds a Good rating from Ofsted. The school's C.A.R.D values, representing Confidence, Ambition, Respect and Determination, underpin daily life and inform everything from behaviour expectations to university preparation.

Principal Ellie Jacobs has led the academy since 2023, having worked at the school since 2011 and witnessed its transformation first-hand. Under her leadership, the school continues to build on a culture described by inspectors as caring and inclusive. Staff know pupils well, and there is a genuine sense of community; the school refers to itself as the NOA family.

The November 2022 Ofsted inspection confirmed that pupils feel safe at school. Bullying is rare, and when concerns arise, staff deal with them effectively. Behaviour throughout the school is calm, with pupils described as polite and respectful. Disruption in lessons is uncommon, a significant shift from the difficulties that plagued the predecessor school.

Victoria Espley chairs the governing body, providing oversight alongside the support of United Learning, one of the largest education trusts in the country. The trust's motto, The Best in Everyone, aligns with the academy's determination that all pupils will achieve their potential, whether their path leads to university, apprenticeships, or employment.

The physical environment supports this ethos. The main building houses modern teaching spaces, while the sports facilities include a floodlit eight-lane athletics track that serves as home to Banbury Harriers Athletics Club. A full-sized grass pitch sits within the track, and indoor facilities include a sports hall suitable for basketball, netball, badminton, and tennis, plus a dedicated gym for fitness and dance.

GCSE Results

North Oxfordshire Academy's GCSE results sit in line with the middle 35% of schools in England, reflecting solid performance against a comprehensive intake. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 44.6, slightly below the England average of 45.9 but competitive for the area.

The school ranks 1,511th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official DfE data), and 2nd among schools in the Banbury local area. This local position reflects the academy's standing as one of the stronger non-selective options in North Oxfordshire.

Progress 8 tells an encouraging story. The score of +0.14 indicates that pupils make above-average progress from their starting points, suggesting effective teaching adds value regardless of where students begin. For the English Baccalaureate, 28.8% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above, with an EBacc average point score of 4.22, slightly above the England average of 4.08.

A-Level Results

The sixth form sits in the middle band for A-level performance in England, with results reflecting its inclusive entry policy. In 2024, 39.6% of grades were A*-B, while 19.4% achieved A* or A. These figures fall below the England averages of 47.2% for A*-B and 23.6% for A*/A, but the context matters. This is not a selective sixth form; it welcomes students across the ability spectrum and supports diverse pathways.

The school ranks 1,452nd in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and 6th in the Banbury area. The combined GCSE and A-level ranking of 1,327th in England reflects solid overall academic performance across both phases.

Pupils benefit from being taught by enthusiastic and knowledgeable subject specialists across all areas. Teachers have strong subject knowledge, maintain high expectations, and bring genuine passion to their subjects. The curriculum is broad, covering both academic and vocational routes, which allows students to find pathways that match their strengths and aspirations.

Inspectors noted that teaching employs varied activities to engage students, with frequent monitoring and evaluation of progress. However, some lessons could do more to maintain student attention throughout. This area for development has been acknowledged, and the school continues to refine its pedagogical approach.

Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is effective. Needs are identified clearly, and staff provide appropriate interventions. The inclusive ethos means that all pupils, regardless of their starting point, receive attention tailored to their requirements.

The sixth form at North Oxfordshire Academy offers both A-level and vocational pathways, recognising that different students thrive in different contexts. A-level subjects span three broad areas: Languages and Arts (Art, English Language, English Literature, Media, Music), Science and Mathematics (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths), and Humanities (Geography, History, Politics, Sociology, Psychology).

For students preferring applied learning, Level 3 vocational courses are available in Engineering, Sport, Health and Social Care, and Business. These combine coursework and examination units, assessed at Pass, Merit, or Distinction grades, and carry UCAS points for university applications.

Entry requirements are clear. Students need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English and Maths. Those without at least a grade 4 in English and Maths cannot enrol, as the school does not offer resit courses at this level. For more demanding subjects, higher thresholds apply: Chemistry and Physics require grade 7 in the subject plus grade 7 in Maths; Further Maths demands grade 8 in Maths; English Literature requires grade 7.

The Oxbridge mentoring programme, launched in 2018, provides ongoing guidance and one-to-one support for students considering applications to Oxford or Cambridge. This initiative reflects the school's ambition to open elite pathways to students from a comprehensive background.

In the most recent cohort tracked by the Department for Education, 41% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, while 37% moved directly into employment. A further 4% began apprenticeships, reflecting the school's emphasis on multiple successful pathways.

The Oxbridge pipeline, though modest in scale, demonstrates that students from North Oxfordshire Academy can compete at the highest level. In the measurement period, two students applied to Cambridge, one received an offer, and one secured a place. For a non-selective state school, any Oxbridge acceptance represents a significant achievement and evidence that potential is not limited by postcode.

The school's careers support helps students navigate the full range of options, from Russell Group universities to apprenticeships with local and national employers. The emphasis is on finding the right fit for each individual rather than pushing everyone toward a single definition of success.

Year 7 Entry

Applications for Year 7 are coordinated through Oxfordshire County Council. The academy is socially, academically, and culturally inclusive, with no selection by ability or faith. Each year group has 180 free places available.

The school is oversubscribed. In the most recent data, 433 applications were received for 172 offers, representing a subscription proportion of 2.52. This means roughly two and a half applicants for every available place. After looked-after children and those with EHCPs naming the school, places are typically allocated by distance, though not all first-round offers are accepted, so waiting list movement does occur.

For families considering the school, the academy advises that joining the waiting list remains the best way of securing a place if an initial application is unsuccessful. Appeals are rarely successful because admissions are distance-based rather than ability-based.

Open Evening typically takes place in late September. The 2025 event is scheduled for 28 September. Tours are offered in early summer and autumn as organised events; at other times, individual tours are only available when a place exists.

Sixth Form Entry

Sixth form applications open in late October (23 October at 6pm for the current cycle) through the Applicaa platform. Following application, a member of the sixth form team arranges an interview, which parents must attend. Conditional offers are made after interview, with confirmation on GCSE results day in August.

External applicants need a school reference before an interview invitation is extended. The baseline requirements of five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English and Maths, apply equally to internal and external candidates.

The school operates as a caring and inclusive community where staff know pupils well. This personal attention creates an environment where young people feel safe and supported. Inspectors noted that staff deal effectively with any concerns that arise, and the rarity of bullying suggests a healthy school culture.

The C.A.R.D values, Confidence, Ambition, Respect and Determination, provide a consistent framework for behaviour and personal development. A rewards system recognises positive contributions, reinforcing the behaviours the school wants to see. Clear expectations mean pupils understand what is required, contributing to the calm atmosphere throughout the building.

For students requiring additional support, the school's pastoral structures provide appropriate intervention. The inclusive ethos extends to mental health and emotional wellbeing, with resources available for those who need them.

Performing Arts

The academy has a strong tradition in musical theatre, with annual productions showcasing student talent. The upcoming performance of The Addams Family demonstrates the school's commitment to ambitious creative projects. Music features prominently in the curriculum and as an A-level option, with opportunities for performance throughout the year.

Sport

The sports facilities are exceptional for a state school. The floodlit eight-lane athletics track, home to Banbury Harriers Athletics Club, provides elite-standard training facilities accessible to students. Team Cherwell Triathlon Club also uses the site, indicating the quality of the provision. The full-sized grass pitch within the track accommodates football and rugby, while the indoor sports hall and gym support netball, basketball, badminton, tennis, aerobics, and dance.

Netball receives particular attention, with competitive fixtures throughout the season. The facilities enable the school to offer a genuine breadth of sporting opportunity, from recreational participation to competitive excellence.

Duke of Edinburgh

The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme features in the school's enrichment offering, providing students with opportunities for challenge, adventure, and service. This programme develops resilience and teamwork while encouraging students to push beyond their comfort zones.

Leadership and Character

A Student Leadership Programme develops future leaders, while the school's commitment to Eco-Schools Green Flag Accreditation demonstrates engagement with environmental responsibility. These initiatives contribute to the development of thoughtful and confident citizens, an explicit aim of the school's approach to education.

The school day begins at 8:30am. The academy is located on Drayton Road, on the northern edge of Banbury, with good road access and parking facilities. Public transport links serve the school, connecting to the wider Banbury area and surrounding villages.

Prospective families should attend the Open Evening in September for the fullest picture of what the school offers. Contact the school directly at 01295 224300 or enquiries@northoxfordshire-academy.org for specific queries about transport, uniform, or facilities.

Comprehensive intake. This is a non-selective school serving the local community. Academic outcomes reflect the full range of abilities, which suits families who value inclusive education but may disappoint those seeking only high-attaining peer groups.

Sixth form selectivity. While the main school is non-selective, sixth form entry requires at least five GCSEs at grade 5 including English and Maths. Students who do not meet this threshold cannot enrol, and no resit courses are offered. Families should have a backup plan if these grades are not achieved.

Competition for places. With 2.5 applications per place, Year 7 entry is competitive. Distance typically determines allocation after priority categories. Families should verify their proximity before relying on a place here.

A-level results context. Sixth form results fall below England averages for A*-B grades. For students capable of achieving the highest grades, more selective sixth forms may offer a peer group with higher aggregate achievement. However, the Oxbridge mentoring programme demonstrates that individual high achievement is possible and supported.

North Oxfordshire Academy has evolved from a troubled predecessor into a genuinely good school that serves its community well. Academic outcomes are solid rather than spectacular, but the Progress 8 score confirms that students make better-than-expected progress. The inclusive ethos, caring culture, and range of pathways make this a school that meets pupils where they are and helps them reach their potential.

Best suited to families in northern Banbury who want a comprehensive secondary with strong pastoral care, good facilities, and multiple routes to success. Students with Oxbridge aspirations will find support through the dedicated mentoring programme, while those heading toward apprenticeships or employment receive equal attention. The main challenge is securing a place in an oversubscribed school where distance determines priority.