The Warriner School occupies a distinctive position in the Oxfordshire educational landscape, situated on a sprawling 65 acre site in the village of Bloxham. While many secondary schools feel hemmed in by urban development, The Warriner is defined by its space and its unique heritage as home to a fully operational, 35 acre school farm. This rural character informs much of the school identity, yet it remains a forward facing academy serving approximately 1,500 students from Banbury and the surrounding villages.
The school is part of The Warriner Multi Academy Trust, having converted in 2015. Under the leadership of Executive Headteacher Dr. Annabel Kay and Head of School Mrs. Sharon Nicholls, the institution has maintained a consistent reputation for balancing academic expectations with a strong focus on student wellbeing and practical learning. Performance data from 2024 confirms a school performing solidly in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), offering a stable and reliable choice for local families.
The atmosphere at The Warriner is often described by students as busy but purposeful. The presence of the farm means that the sight of students in wellies is as common as those in lab coats, creating a grounded, down to earth feel that is rare in modern comprehensives. The campus is a blend of the original 1970s buildings and more modern additions, including a dedicated Sixth Form centre that provides a more adult environment for older students.
Leadership is visible and approachable. Mrs. Sharon Nicholls has been a consistent presence at the school since 2011, having previously served as Head of English and Deputy Head. Her deep rooted connection to the school helps foster a culture where individual effort is celebrated as much as collective achievement. The school motto, Responsible, Respectful, Ready, is integrated into the daily language of the school, ensuring that students from all backgrounds feel part of the community.
The connection to the land is not merely aesthetic; it shapes the daily routine and the curriculum. Students often speak of the sense of calm provided by the green space, which acts as a natural buffer to the typical pressures of secondary education.
The Warriner School delivers solid academic outcomes that reflect its comprehensive intake. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 45.5, which is in line with the England average. The Progress 8 score of +0.01 indicates that students make progress exactly in line with expectations from their various starting points at the end of primary school.
Ranked 2064th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits 5th among secondary providers in the Banbury area. This placement reflects a consistent, typical performance band for England schools. For families looking at the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), 14.7% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in these core subjects.
At A level, the school shows a strong upward trajectory. Ranked 1073rd in England and 3rd in Banbury for A level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the Sixth Form consistently outperforms local averages. Over 54% of students achieved A* to B grades in 2024, a figure that exceeds the England average of 47.2% and demonstrates the strength of the post 16 provision.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
54.09%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching at The Warriner is characterised by subject expertise and a desire to connect classroom theory with real world application. The curriculum is broad, offering the standard suite of GCSEs and A levels alongside specialist technical qualifications that leverage the school facilities. The latest Ofsted inspection in September 2023 confirmed that the curriculum development is ambitious and well sequenced, particularly in Key Stages 3 and 4.
In the lower years, the focus is on building a secure foundation in core subjects while allowing students to explore the creative arts and technology. The Science department is a particular beneficiary of the school rural setting, with ecology and biology lessons frequently moving outdoors to use the farm as a living laboratory.
Teachers use a variety of instructional methods, from traditional lecturing to project based learning. In the Sixth Form, the shift toward independent study is marked, with students encouraged to take ownership of their research and revision schedules. Small class sizes at A level allow for significant one to one interaction between students and staff.
The Warriner School offers a unique take on STEM by integrating agricultural science into the traditional curriculum. The school farm is the only one of its kind in North Oxfordshire and serves as a hub for both vocational and academic study.
Students can study for a Level 2 Technical Award in Agriculture, covering livestock husbandry, crop production, and farm management. This is supported by modern facilities, including a specialist workshop and animal handling areas. Beyond the farm, the school encourages participation in the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) challenges and runs various technology clubs. The integration of high tech robotics with traditional farming methods provides a unique perspective on the future of industry for students.
The transition from The Warriner into higher education or employment is well managed. For the 2024 leavers, 65% progressed to university, with a significant portion securing places at Russell Group institutions. The academic rigour of the Sixth Form is evidenced by the elite university pipeline; in 2024, one student secured a place at the University of Cambridge following a successful application process.
Beyond university, 20% of the cohort entered direct employment, and 5% secured apprenticeships, reflecting the school success in preparing students for diverse pathways. Typical destinations include Oxford Brookes University, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Reading, with a notable number of students pursuing degrees in veterinary science, agriculture, and engineering.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
The Warriner School is a highly sought after choice in the Oxfordshire area. Admissions are coordinated by Oxfordshire County Council, and the school is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent intake, there were over two applications for every one of the 280 available places in Year 7.
The school serves a wide catchment area including Bloxham, Adderbury, Deddington, and the surrounding rural villages, as well as parts of Banbury. After looked after children and those with siblings already at the school, priority is given based on home address within the designated catchment area. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise location relative to the school priority areas, as the inner catchment is often the deciding factor in successful entry.
As The Warriner is a state funded academy, there are no tuition fees for students. However, the school provides additional support through the Pupil Premium grant for eligible students. This funding is used to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and to support students from service families.
Families should be aware of associated costs such as the school uniform and optional educational trips. For those living outside the immediate walking distance, transport is a primary cost; Pulhams Coaches operates several routes for the school, with annual transport fees for the 2025/2026 academic year available on their website.
Applications
552
Total received
Places Offered
272
Subscription Rate
2.0x
Apps per place
Pastoral support is a clear priority, structured through a horizontal year group system. Each student is part of a tutor group that meets daily, providing a consistent point of contact for both academic and personal concerns. The school employs a dedicated pastoral support team that includes non teaching staff, allowing for immediate intervention when a student is struggling.
The Warriner Plus programme offers an alternative educational provision for students needing extra support outside the mainstream classroom. The school also features a Communication and Interaction Resource Base (CIRB) led by Mrs. Kamila Paris, which provides specialist support for students with Speech, Language and Communication needs and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
The extracurricular life of the school is extensive, driven by the unique facilities on site. The Warriner School Farm Club is the most popular, allowing students to be involved in the daily care of sheep, cattle, and pigs. This includes preparing animals for local agricultural shows, such as the Oxfordshire County Show, where the school frequently wins awards.
Music and Drama are also central to the school community. The school choir and jazz band perform regularly, and the annual Christmas concert is a major highlight in the Bloxham calendar. Sports facilities are strong, featuring large playing fields, a floodlit astroturf, and a dedicated sports hall. Rugby, netball, and athletics are the primary competitive sports, with several teams reaching county finals.
The school day begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. While the school does not offer an on site primary style breakfast club, many extracurricular activities run before and after school.
Transport is a significant consideration given the rural location. A fleet of buses serves the surrounding villages and Banbury, coordinated by the local authority. For students walking from within Bloxham, there are safe pedestrian routes, though the main Banbury Road can be busy during drop off and pick up times. On site parking for visitors is available but limited during peak hours.
The Warriner School is an impressive community academy that successfully bridges the gap between traditional academic scholarship and practical, rural learning. It offers a stable, Good rated environment where students can flourish both in the classroom and on the farm. Best suited to students who value green space and a community atmosphere, and families who want a school that prepares children for a wide variety of post 18 pathways. The main challenge remains securing a place in the face of significant local demand.
Yes. The Warriner School is currently rated Good by Ofsted following its full inspection in September 2023. KS4 results are consistent with England averages, while the Sixth Form is ranked 3rd in the Banbury area, with over 54% of students achieving A* to B grades.
As a state funded academy, there are no tuition fees at The Warriner School. Parents are responsible for costs such as uniform, school meals, and transport. For families eligible for Pupil Premium, some additional financial support for school activities may be available.
Applications for Year 7 entry in September 2026 must be submitted via Oxfordshire County Council by the national deadline of 31 October 2025. National Offer Day is 02 March 2026. The school also holds open mornings in late September for prospective families to visit.
The school serves a large rural catchment including Bloxham, Adderbury, and Deddington. Because the school is oversubscribed, with two applications for every place, those living within the designated priority area have the highest chance of admission. Parents can check their distance using the FindMySchool Map Search tool.
Yes, the school has an 11 to 18 age range and opened its Sixth Form in 2013. It offers 19 different A level subjects for September 2026, including Computer Science, Psychology, and Philosophy and Ethics. The Sixth Form Open Evening is typically held in early November.
The school is most notable for its 35 acre organic farm, which is integrated into the curriculum. It also features a Communication and Interaction Resource Base (CIRB) for specialist SEND support and a dedicated Sixth Form centre.
Get in touch with the school directly
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