Cox Green School Review 2026: A Popular Community Hub

Cox Green School is a central pillar of its Maidenhead community, sharing a site with a leisure centre that serves as a hub for local life. Despite a Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted in 2024, the school remains heavily oversubscribed, a testament to its strong local reputation and the loyalty of its families. It offers a "Good" Sixth Form and outstanding sporting facilities, presenting a mixed picture of a school with clear strengths alongside areas currently under repair.

Mr Danny Edwards took up the headship in January 2022, having previously served as Deputy Head. His tenure has been defined by a drive to raise standards following a period of drift. The school's values—"Be Respectful, Be Kind, Be Determined"—are not just slogans but the foundation of a new behaviour curriculum introduced to tackle inconsistency.

The campus is a functional blend of eras, typical of a school that has grown with its intake. The atmosphere is generally purposeful, though inspectors have noted that focus can vary between lessons. A defining feature is the school's physical integration with the Cox Green Leisure Centre, providing students with access to high-quality amenities, including floodlit courts and sports halls, that far exceed the standard state school offer.

Academic outcomes reflect a school in transition. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 42.1, placing it in the national lower band (below the England average of 45.9). The Progress 8 score of -0.31 indicates that students, on average, make less progress from their starting points than their peers nationally.

Ranked 2,932nd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), Cox Green sits 7th among secondary schools in Maidenhead. While these headline figures are modest, they mask pockets of stronger performance, particularly in vocational subjects.

The picture brightens significantly at Sixth Form. Rated Good by Ofsted, the post-16 provision delivers stronger outcomes. In 2024, 37.8% of A-level grades were A*-B. Students here benefit from smaller class sizes and a more mature, focused learning environment that contrasts with the main school experience.

The quality of education is the primary focus for the current leadership. The curriculum is broad and ambitious, designed to serve a comprehensive intake. However, delivery varies. In the best lessons, particularly in the Sixth Form, subject knowledge is secure and questioning is rigorous.

Elsewhere, inconsistency remains a challenge. The 2024 inspection highlighted that teachers do not always check understanding systematically before moving on, leaving some students behind. Leadership has introduced structured lesson routines to build consistency, ensuring that a Year 7 geography lesson matches the rigour of a Year 11 science class.

Cox Green serves a diverse ability range, and destinations reflect this. In 2024, 41% of leavers progressed to university. The school has a particularly strong record in vocational pathways; 32% of the cohort moved directly into employment and 9% into apprenticeships—figures that are robust compared to national averages and reflect the school's effective careers guidance.

Admissions are coordinated by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM). Despite the Ofsted rating, Cox Green is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent intake, the school received 486 applications for 201 places, resulting in a subscription ratio of 2.4 applications per place.

Places are allocated primarily by distance. Families living in the immediate Cox Green and Woodlands Park areas typically secure places, but the catchment radius tightens in years of high demand. Late applications or those from outside the designated area have a very low success rate.

Pastoral support is a recognized strength, with the Personal Development of students rated Good by Ofsted. The school operates a House system that fosters a sense of belonging and healthy competition. Non-teaching pastoral managers are available throughout the day, ensuring that students have immediate access to support for social or emotional concerns.

Safeguarding culture is effective. Students report feeling safe, and there is a clear, understood system for reporting concerns. While bullying occurs, as in all schools, families generally report that it is dealt with effectively when raised.

The extracurricular offer is extensive, bolstered by the on-site leisure facilities. Sport is a major pillar; students use the 3G pitch, tennis courts, and indoor halls for both competitive fixtures and recreational clubs. Teams compete locally in football, netball, and athletics with considerable success.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a thriving part of school life, with high participation rates at Bronze and Silver levels. Beyond sport, the school runs active clubs in drama, music, and coding, ensuring that the "Be Determined" value extends to personal interests as well as academic study.

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Located on Highfield Lane, the school is served by dedicated bus routes from the wider Maidenhead area. There is no on-site parking for parents, and drop-offs in the surrounding residential streets require consideration for local residents.

Improvement Trajectory: The school requires improvement. While leadership is stable and has a clear plan, families should be aware that the consistency of teaching and behaviour in Years 7 to 11 is still a work in progress.

Sixth Form Contrast: The Sixth Form is a distinct strength. Rated Good, it offers a more settled and effective educational experience than the main school, making it a viable option even for those who did not attend for lower years.

Competitive Entry: Do not be misled by the Ofsted rating; entry remains difficult. Living close to the school is often the only guarantee of a place.

Cox Green School is a community hub that offers a safe, supportive, and facility-rich environment. While academic rigour in the main school is currently inconsistent, the pastoral care and Sixth Form provision are genuine strengths. Best suited to local families who value a grounded, inclusive education and who are prepared to support the school as it continues its journey back to Good.