The Bicester School Review 2026: A Hub for Academic and Professional Ambition

The Bicester School stands as a prominent educational anchor in one of Oxfordshire's most rapidly expanding towns. Catering to students aged 11 to 18, it transitioned to academy status in 2015 as part of the Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET). This partnership is a defining feature of the school, bringing a distinct focus on professional pathways and industry connections alongside traditional academic study. With a capacity of 1,430 students, the school maintains a large, energetic campus that reflects the growth of the surrounding Bicester community. Performance metrics from 2024 place the school in a solid position, ranking as the top performing school in Bicester for GCSE outcomes. It serves a diverse catchment, providing a comprehensive education that balances local community values with a clear focus on future employability.

The atmosphere at The Bicester School is defined by its hybrid identity as both a community secondary and a partner in a wider vocational and professional network. As an Activate Learning academy, the school shares its site with Bicester Technology Studio, creating a campus that feels more like a professional learning hub than a traditional ivory tower. This environment encourages students to think about their next steps early in their educational journey.

Headteacher Sam Knowlton leads the school with a focus on supporting students to achieve the vision of transforming lives through learning. The core values of respect, resilience, and responsibility shine through the daily life of this positive community. These values are supported by a house system featuring Eagle, Falcon, Hawk, and Swift, which provides a smaller, more personal sense of belonging within the large student body.

The physical environment has seen significant investment. Modern science labs and technology suites sit alongside more traditional classrooms, reflecting the school's commitment to STEM and the arts. At social times, the campus is bustling and vibrant, yet the school maintains a structured environment. The latest Ofsted inspection in March 2024 confirmed the school retains its Good rating, with inspectors specifically noting the calm and orderly conduct of pupils.

In 2024, GCSE results confirmed the school's status as a strong local performer. The Bicester School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 45.4, which sits in line with the England average of 46.2. The school ranks 1st in Bicester and 2,014th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This performance places it within the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), reflecting solid and consistent delivery across the core curriculum.

At A-level, performance remains stable. In 2024, approximately 40% of students achieved A* to B grades. While this is below the England average of 47.2%, the school ranks 2nd in Bicester and 1,544th in England for post-16 outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). The Progress 8 score of -0.16 indicates that students generally achieve results broadly in line with their starting points, representing a steady academic trajectory for a comprehensive intake.

The curriculum is designed to be broad and inclusive, ensuring students have access to the full English Baccalaureate (EBacc) suite while offering a variety of vocational options. In the lower years, the focus is on building strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, with a particular emphasis on developing independent study habits.

Teachers at the school use the Activate Learning philosophy to engage students. This approach aims to help students understand how they learn, not just what they learn. Science and technology are particularly well served, benefiting from the school's close links to the Bicester Technology Studio. Specialist facilities include food technology rooms, a graphics suite, and design workshops.

In the Sixth Form, the offering expands to include a mix of traditional A-levels and BTEC professional qualifications. This dual-track approach allows students to tailor their education to their specific university or career goals, supported by a dedicated Sixth Form study centre. Departments set specific entry criteria, generally requiring five GCSE grades at 9 to 5 for A-level study.

Where Students Go Next

The school's destination data highlights a successful pipeline into both higher education and professional employment. For the 2024 leavers cohort, 51% of students progressed to university. An additional 11% secured apprenticeships, a figure that reflects the school's professional focus.

A significant point of pride for the school is its Oxbridge success. Despite being a large comprehensive, the school has a high conversion rate for elite applications. In the most recent measurement period, 4 students secured places at Oxford and Cambridge from 5 applications. This 80% offer rate is evidenced by the school's elite university pipeline.

For those not heading to university, 28% of leavers moved directly into employment. The school’s dedicated careers team works closely with local employers in Bicester and the wider Oxfordshire Knowledge Spine to ensure students are prepared for the local job market.

The Bicester School is a popular choice and is currently oversubscribed. For the most recent intake, there were 357 applications for 176 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 2.03. This indicates that there are effectively two applicants for every available seat in Year 7.

Admissions for entry into Years 7 to 11 are coordinated by Oxfordshire County Council. For September 2026 entry, the application deadline was 31 October 2025. Priority is given to looked after children, those with an EHCP naming the school, and siblings of current students. Following these categories, places are allocated based on distance from the school. Families should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to previous allocation trends.

Pastoral care is organised through the house system and a dedicated year group structure. Each student has a form tutor who serves as the primary point of contact for families. The school places a high priority on mental health and wellbeing, with a range of internal supports including an Inclusion Team.

The school's approach to behaviour is firm but fair. Inspectors found that there are high expectations of pupils' behaviour and these expectations are met. Safeguarding is robust, and the school maintains an open and positive culture that puts the interests of pupils first.

The extracurricular life of the school is varied, with a strong emphasis on leadership and professional skills. The electives program runs at lunchtimes and after school, forming part of the wider personal development work.

STEM and Creative Arts

STEM Excellence

The STEM offering is a major pillar, featuring clubs like Coding Club and various computing activities. The school provides a high achieving and stimulating learning environment supported by specialist science labs and ICT suites. Creative arts are equally prominent, with an Art Club and specific portrait workshops for older students. The school also offers a Latin American Craft Club for Year 7 pupils. Music is a strength, featuring a vocal group, band club, and ukulele and guitar sessions. Facilities such as the performance hall and dance studio support these activities.

The school day begins with form time at 8:35am and lessons typically conclude by 3:00pm. Breakfast and after school clubs are not explicitly detailed as wraparound care, but the electives program provides extensive after school activities. The campus is centrally located on Queen's Avenue, making it easily accessible by foot or cycle. It is a short walk from Bicester North and Bicester Village railway stations.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state funded academy, The Bicester School does not charge tuition fees. It is open to all students within the local authority framework. Families may need to account for costs related to school uniform, optional trips, and certain extracurricular materials. Support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds is a priority, with the school employing a Pupil Premium Lead to oversee targeted academic standards and support.

• High Demand: With over two applications for every place, securing a spot in Year 7 can be difficult. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.
• Professional Ethos: The school's strong link to the Activate Learning Education Trust means there is a clear emphasis on vocational and professional pathways alongside A-levels.
• Large Campus: Serving over 1,200 pupils, the school is large. While the house system provides a smaller community feel, the scale may be a transition for students coming from smaller primary schools.

The Bicester School is a confident, forward-looking academy that successfully bridges the gap between traditional secondary education and the professional world. Its status as the top performing school in Bicester for GCSEs makes it a natural first choice for local families, while its impressive Oxbridge success proves it can stretch its highest achievers. It is best suited to students who want an environment where they are encouraged to think about their future careers as much as their current grades. The challenge lies in admission rather than what follows.