Queensway School Review 2026: High-performing Banbury primary with strong leadership and clear routines

A school that combines calm routines with ambitious outcomes. Queensway serves local families in Banbury and operates as a community primary, with a Published Admission Number of 60 for Reception. Admissions demand is meaningful, 136 applications for 60 offers in the most recent entry cycle shown, which is 2.27 applications per place.

Academic performance is a clear strength. In 2024, 83% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. The higher standard figure stands out too, 22% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with an England average of 8%.

Leadership is stable and clearly structured. The headteacher is Mrs Sarah Horbury-Jakeman, who has held the headteacher role since 2008. The wider picture is a school where expectations are explicit, pupils are taught to collaborate respectfully, and personal development is not an afterthought.

Queensway’s published vision centres on practical behaviours rather than broad slogans: a can do attitude, resilience, questioning, independence, respect, inclusivity, good manners, care and healthy habits. That framing matters because it gives staff and pupils a shared language for day-to-day decisions, from classroom talk to playground behaviour. The school also positions itself as community-facing, referencing local partnership work and regular links with Banbury organisations and events.

Pupil leadership is visible in the way the school describes roles such as School Council, Sports Council, and Wellbeing Warriors. The Wellbeing Warriors model is particularly specific, with a stated focus on the Five Ways to Wellbeing (Connect, Take Notice, Give, Keep Learning and Be Active). For many families, that sort of pupil-led structure is a practical indicator that wellbeing is treated as something you do, not just something you talk about.

The most recent inspection evidence reinforces a culture of respect. The latest Ofsted inspection (June 2022) judged the school Good overall, with Leadership and management Outstanding. Pupils are described as polite and friendly, with debate and collaboration built into the way they learn. That combination tends to suit children who like clear boundaries and predictable routines, while still having opportunities to take responsibility.

Queensway’s 2024 Key Stage 2 outcomes put it comfortably above England averages in core measures.

• Expected standard (reading, writing and maths combined): 83%, versus an England average of 62%

• Higher standard (reading, writing and maths combined): 22%, versus an England average of 8%

• Average scaled scores (2024): Reading 107, Mathematics 107, Grammar, punctuation and spelling 109

The pattern is not just “a bit above average”. The higher standard figure is almost three times the England benchmark, which suggests that the most secure learners are being pushed beyond the basics, not simply coached to reach the expected threshold.

Rankings add further context. Queensway is ranked 2,448th in England and 6th in the Banbury area for primary outcomes, using FindMySchool rankings based on official data. That position sits above England average, placing the school within the top quarter of primary schools in England. For parents comparing local options, the FindMySchool Local Hub and Comparison Tool can help you view these outcomes side by side with nearby schools, using the same metrics.

Early reading is clearly structured. The school states it uses Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, including a systematic approach to phonics and a focus on matching teaching to children’s needs. In practice, that tends to produce consistency across classes, because phonics becomes a shared method rather than an individual teacher preference.

The wider curriculum is framed as broad and progressive, with a published emphasis on knowledge building over time. Inspection evidence highlights strong subject knowledge among staff and a curriculum that is effective, particularly in areas where subject design is strongest. The 2022 report also points to an ongoing priority around ensuring some pupils’ reading books are matched closely enough to their phonics knowledge, which is a detail worth noticing because it is specific and actionable rather than generic.

For families, the implication is simple: if your child thrives with clear teaching sequences, regular checks for understanding, and quick intervention when gaps appear, the academic model here is likely to fit well.

As a primary school, the key “destination” question is transition to Banbury secondary schools. Queensway is part of the Banbury School Partnership, working with Wykham Park Academy and feeder primaries to support continuity and transition across ages 3 to 19. The school also signposts Banbury’s secondary options, including Wykham Park Academy, North Oxfordshire Academy, The Warriner School, and Blessed George Napier.

What this means in practice is that transition is treated as a process rather than a single event. Families who want a clear local pathway into mainstream Banbury secondary schools will find that the school’s published approach aligns with that preference.

Reception entry is coordinated through Oxfordshire’s admissions process. Queensway’s Published Admission Number for Reception is 60. Demand is higher than supply in the most recent cycle shown, with 136 applications for 60 places, and first preferences slightly exceeding available places.

For September 2026 entry, the published application window runs from 04 November 2025 to 15 January 2026, with offers released on Oxfordshire’s primary offer day in April 2026. Queensway also notes an important practical point for families already using early years provision: a nursery place does not automatically transfer into Reception, and Reception still requires an application through the usual route.

Because last offered distance data is not available here, families should avoid relying on assumptions about how far a place might reach. If you are weighing Queensway against other local options, use FindMySchoolMap Search to check your exact distance from the school and sense-check it against other schools’ historical distance patterns where those are published.

Pastoral support is consistently described as a strength. The school’s own wellbeing structures include Wellbeing Warriors and a focus on the Five Ways to Wellbeing, backed by work on relationships and a clear emphasis on respect and tolerance. The 2022 inspection narrative also describes pupils feeling safe and confident raising concerns, and suggests that issues are handled quickly and effectively.

The report also states that safeguarding arrangements are effective. Beyond the statutory baseline, the school references local safeguarding work through Safeguarding Children in Banbury projects, which is an example of tailoring safety education to local priorities rather than treating it as a generic curriculum add-on.

The extracurricular offer is described with more specificity than many primaries publish, which helps parents understand what “clubs” actually means in practice. Queensway notes that clubs vary through the year, and examples include African Drumming, Lego, Rounders, Choir, Origami, Wildlife Rangers, Art Club, and Library Club. That mix matters because it spans sport, creative arts, and quieter interest-based clubs.

Leadership opportunities sit alongside clubs. School Council and Sports Council provide a route for pupils to represent others, and Wellbeing Warriors adds a peer-led wellbeing strand that goes beyond a single event week. The implication is that children who enjoy responsibility, teamwork, and being part of school-wide initiatives are likely to find multiple ways to participate.

The school day is structured with a clear start point for learning, and wraparound care extends the usable day for working families. Breakfast provision is available from early morning, and after-school provision runs through to early evening.

Queensway is positioned for local Banbury families, with published travel information and a site described as spacious and set in pleasant grounds. Practical travel planning is still worth doing at the times you will actually commute, particularly if you expect to drive at drop-off, because local congestion patterns can shape how manageable a school feels day to day.

• Competition for places. With 2.27 applications per place in the most recent data shown, admission is not guaranteed. If Queensway is a first choice, it is sensible to list realistic alternatives on your application.

• Reading precision as an ongoing priority. Official findings highlight that some pupils’ reading books have not always been matched precisely enough to phonics knowledge. This is improving, but families of children who need tightly structured reading progression may want to ask how matching is checked and how quickly changes are made.

• Attendance expectations. The latest inspection evidence flags attendance for a small group of pupils as an area to keep improving. Families who anticipate medical absence or complex family logistics should ask what support systems are in place to help children keep up.

• Nursery to Reception is not automatic. If you are considering nursery, remember that Reception still requires a separate application through the coordinated process.

Queensway School offers a well-structured primary experience with above-England academic outcomes and a leadership picture that looks stable and purposeful. It suits families who want clear routines, strong early reading structures, and a school culture that expects respect and participation from pupils. The main challenge is likely to be admission, so a sensible plan includes both a strong application and realistic backup options.