The Marches School Review 2026: Oswestry's Community Hub

Academic performance at The Marches School is solid, reflecting a consistent delivery of the national curriculum. In the 2024 GCSE examinations, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 45.2, placing it in line with the England average of 45.9.

The school ranks 1,786th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 2nd locally in Oswestry, placing it in the top 40% of schools nationally (in line with the middle 35% of schools in England). This band reflects performance that is reliable and broadly in line with the middle 35% of schools in England.

Specific metrics highlight areas of focus. The percentage of pupils achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Mathematics was 21.3%. While this is a foundational metric, the Progress 8 score of -0.29 suggests that, on average, students achieve slightly below the grades predicted by their primary school attainment compared to national peers. However, this headline figure often masks pockets of strong performance in specific subjects.

In the Sixth Form, the picture strengthens. The school ranks 1,134th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). In 2024, over half of all grades awarded (53.15%) were A*-B. This is a significant statistic, indicating that for students who stay on, the academic ceiling is high. The proportion of A* grades was 6.3%, with 10.63% at A grade.

The curriculum at The Marches is designed to keep doors open. In the lower years (Key Stage 3), students follow a broad programme that resists the temptation to narrow focus too early. All students study the core subjects alongside Humanities, Languages (French or Spanish), and a robust rotation of Creative Arts and Technology.

Teaching is structured and generally follows a clear, traditional methodology: retrieval practice to start, clear exposition of new material, and guided practice. Inspectors in the September 2023 Ofsted report noted that the school continues to be Good, praising the curriculum planning which builds knowledge logically over time.

Science is taught with an emphasis on practical skills in the purpose-built laboratories. The school resists the trend of teaching solely to the test, ensuring that Year 7s get their hands on equipment early. This practical approach pays dividends later, with sciences remaining popular options at A-level.

The connection with the Marches Academy Trust adds a layer of expertise. Departments are not islands; they collaborate with colleagues in partner schools to share resources and moderate assessments. This means a Year 8 History student at The Marches benefits from the collective planning of historians across the Trust, ensuring the curriculum is richer than a single department might manage alone.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is integrated into the mainstream classroom wherever possible. Teaching assistants are deployed effectively, not just velcroed to individual students but working to foster independence.

The Marches School acts as a launchpad for a variety of futures. The Sixth Form is the natural destination for many, but the school provides impartial advice for those seeking vocational courses at local colleges or apprenticeships.

For the 2024 cohort of leavers (Year 13), 44% progressed to university. The list of destinations is healthy, with students securing places at Russell Group universities including Manchester, Liverpool, and Cardiff. The pipeline to elite institutions exists but is selective; in 2024, the school saw one student secure a place at Cambridge, demonstrating that the pathway to Oxbridge is open for the most academic students.

Interestingly, the school has a strong track record with apprenticeships, with 10% of leavers choosing this route. This is higher than the national average and reflects strong links with local industry and the school's pragmatic approach to careers guidance. Employment was the destination for 29% of leavers, serving the local economy in Oswestry and Shrewsbury.

For Year 11 students not staying for the Sixth Form, popular destinations include North Shropshire College for vocational courses or other local apprenticeship providers. The school ensures every student has a destination, with very few becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training).

Admissions to The Marches School are coordinated by Shropshire Council. As a non-selective academy, it serves the local community first. The school is popular and effectively oversubscribed; in the most recent intake, there were 243 applications for approximately 210 places (Year 7), resulting in a subscription ratio of 1.27 applications per offer.

The published admission number (PAN) is generally accommodating, but the school's reputation draws families from outside the immediate catchment. Priority is given to looked-after children, followed by those with siblings already at the school, and then by straight-line distance from the school gate.

The school also manages its own Sixth Form admissions. Entry requirements for the Sixth Form are generally five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including English and Maths, though specific A-level subjects (particularly Sciences and Maths) require Grade 6s.

For families considering Year 7 entry for September 2026, the national closing date is 31 October 2025. It is crucial to list The Marches as the first preference if you are within catchment, as the oversubscription status means second-choice places are rarely available for those living further away.

Pastoral care is structured around a House system that breaks the large school population down into manageable families. The Houses—Bonington, Hargreaves, Mallory, Stephens, and Whittaker—are named after explorers, reflecting a theme of resilience and discovery.

Each student belongs to a House and a tutor group. The tutor is the first point of contact for parents and the daily anchor for the student. Vertical tutoring (mixed ages in form time) or year-based tutoring has been used to foster community, ensuring younger students have role models and older students learn leadership.

Wellbeing is not treated as a bolt-on. The dedicated Student Support team operates from 'The Hub', a space where students can go if they are feeling overwhelmed or need advice. The school employs non-teaching pastoral staff, meaning there is always someone available during lesson time who isn't tied to a classroom.

Bullying is taken seriously. The school uses online reporting tools to allow students to raise concerns discreetly. Parents generally report that issues are dealt with swiftly, though, as with any large school, social friction can occur. The emphasis is on restorative practice—repairing relationships rather than just issuing sanctions.

The extracurricular offer at The Marches is broad, aiming to capture the interests of rural teenagers. Sport is a major pillar. The expansive playing fields and sports hall host fixtures in rugby, netball, football, and hockey. The school competes spiritedly against local rivals and independent schools in the county cups.

Music and Drama are central to the school's cultural life. The annual school production is a massive undertaking, involving cast, crew, and musicians from across the year groups. Recent productions have been praised for their professional polish. The Music department runs several ensembles, including a choir and a wind band, which perform at local community events and the Oswestry Youth Music Festival.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is thriving here. The rural location makes expeditions relatively easy to organise, and a significant number of students complete their Bronze and Silver awards. This fosters the resilience the school prizes.

Specific clubs cater to niche interests. The Eco Club has been active in driving sustainability initiatives across the campus, while the Debate Society offers a platform for articulate students to hone their rhetoric—skills that serve them well in university interviews. For those interested in technology, the STEM club utilises the design technology workshops to run projects like the Greenpower electric car challenge.

Trips are a regular feature. From geography field trips to Snowdonia to history tours of Berlin and ski trips to the Alps, the calendar is punctuated by opportunities to learn outside the classroom. These experiences are often cited by leavers as their fondest memories.

The school day begins at 8:40 am and concludes at 3:10 pm. This aligns with the extensive school bus network that serves the rural catchment. The buses are a defining feature of school life; for many students, the social time on the bus is as significant as break time.

The uniform is smart: a navy blazer with the school crest, white shirt, and House tie. It is strictly enforced, with the school believing that high standards of dress contribute to a focused learning environment.

Transport links are primarily by road. The school has a large drop-off zone, but traffic on Morda Road can be heavy at peak times. Parents are encouraged to use the school buses where eligible to reduce congestion.

Rural logistics. The school serves a wide geographic area. For students living in the villages, reliance on the school bus is total. This can limit participation in after-school clubs if parents cannot provide alternative transport. Families should check the "late bus" provision or be prepared to drive.

Mixed ability intake. As a comprehensive, classes in Key Stage 3 are often mixed ability, though setting is introduced in core subjects. Parents of highly academic children should ensure they are satisfied with the stretch and challenge provided in the lower years, though the A-level results suggest the ceiling is not limited.

Size and scale. With 1,500 students, The Marches is a large school. While the House system mitigates this, quieter students can initially feel lost in the bustle of the Zone or the corridors. It suits students who are ready to navigate a busy, vibrant environment.

Sixth Form entry. Progression to the Sixth Form is not automatic. Students must meet the grade requirements. The jump in expectation from GCSE to A-level is significant, and the school is honest about the work ethic required to succeed at Key Stage 5.

The Marches School is a robust, caring, and ambitious community comprehensive that serves Oswestry well. It balances the need for academic rigour with a genuine commitment to the "whole child". It is not an exam factory, but a place where students are known, supported, and encouraged to look beyond the Shropshire borders. Best suited to families seeking a grounded, well-rounded education where social development is valued as highly as the certificate at the end. The main challenge is securing a place in Year 7 given its growing popularity.