Lord Williams's School Review 2026: A Dual-Campus Powerhouse in Thame

Lord Williams's School is a cornerstone of the Thame community, operating as a large, successful, and highly regarded comprehensive academy. With over 2,200 students, it is a significant presence in Oxfordshire, notable for its unusual split-site arrangement which separates the school into lower and upper school campuses. This structure allows the school to maintain a smaller, more intimate feel for younger students while providing expansive, mature facilities for those in the upper years and Sixth Form.

The school's history is deeply rooted in the town, tracing its origins back to a 1559 bequest from Lord Williams of Thame. Today, under the leadership of Headteacher Jonnie Walker, who was appointed in 2022, the school balances its historical weight with a modern, inclusive, and academically ambitious outlook. It consistently ranks as the top-performing secondary school in Thame for both GCSE and A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking).

The dual-campus layout defines the student experience. Years 7, 8, and 9 are based at the Lower School site on Towersey Road, while Years 10 through 13 occupy the Upper School site on Oxford Road. This physical separation acts as a rite of passage; younger students have the space to grow in confidence without being overshadowed by much older peers, while the Upper School site takes on the atmosphere of a busy, professional college environment.

Despite its size, the school operates with a strong sense of individual identity through its house system. The houses, Hands, Hodgkin, Knollys, Norris, Quatremain, and Wykeham, provide a framework for pastoral care and internal competition. There is a palpable sense of community pride, often referred to locally as Lord Bill's, and the school maintains a calm, purposeful atmosphere. The latest Ofsted inspection in May 2022 confirmed the school remains Good, noting that pupils are proud to be part of the school community.

The architecture reflects the school's evolution. While some buildings date back decades, there has been significant investment in modern facilities, including a dedicated Sixth Form centre and extensive sporting grounds. The atmosphere is one of high expectations paired with a grounded, community-focused ethos.

Lord Williams's School delivers a solid performance that sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile) for GCSE outcomes. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 48.4, which is comfortably above the England average of 45.9. The Progress 8 score of +0.06 indicates that students make progress in line with, or slightly above, expectations from their starting points.

Ranked 1,867th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school is the highest-ranked secondary in Thame. At the top end of the cohort, 22.6% of students achieved grades 9-7, showcasing the school's ability to stretch its most able learners.

At A-level, the school remains the local leader. Ranked 1,761st in England and 1st in Thame for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sees 38.3% of entries achieving A*-B grades. While this sits within the national lower band when compared to every school in England, including selective and independent providers, it remains a strong showing for a large, inclusive comprehensive.

The curriculum at Lord Williams's is broad and balanced, designed to cater to a diverse intake. In the Lower School, the focus is on a wide range of subjects to help students identify their strengths and interests. As students move to the Upper School, the English Baccalaureate remains a popular route, though the school maintains a healthy variety of creative and technical options.

Teachers are subject specialists who are praised for their clarity of explanation and commitment to student progress. The school uses a Learning to Learn framework which encourages students to take ownership of their studies and develop independent research skills. This is particularly evident in the Sixth Form, where students are expected to engage in wider reading and seminars beyond the core syllabus.

Where Students Go Next

For the 2024 leaver cohort of 253 students, university remains the most popular destination, with 41% of students progressing to higher education. The school has a strong track record of placing students in Russell Group universities, with popular choices including the University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, and University of Reading.

The school also maintains a prestigious pipeline to the country's most elite institutions. In the most recent measurement period, seven students applied to Oxbridge, with one student successfully securing a place at the University of Cambridge.

Reflecting the school's focus on diverse pathways, 36% of students entered employment directly, while 6% secured apprenticeships and 3% moved into further education colleges. The high employment figure often reflects the strong local economy in Thame and the surrounding area, with students moving into skilled trades and administrative roles.

Lord Williams's School is a highly popular choice and is consistently oversubscribed. For the most recent entry cycle, there were 562 applications for 335 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 1.68. This means there are nearly 1.7 applications for every available seat in Year 7.

The school is a 1.02 ratio school for first preferences, meaning almost everyone who puts the school as their first choice is accommodated, provided they meet the criteria. Admissions are coordinated by Oxfordshire County Council. Priority is given to looked-after children, those with siblings already at the school, and those living within the designated catchment area, which includes Thame and several surrounding villages such as Chinnor, Great Milton, and Long Crendon.

Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to the last distance offered in previous years. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Fees & Financial Aid

Lord Williams's School is a state-funded academy, which means there are no tuition fees for students. Education is provided free of charge to all pupils aged 11 to 18. Families should budget for standard associated costs such as school uniforms, PE kits, and optional educational visits or music lessons.

The school offers support for families in financial difficulty through the 16-19 Bursary Fund, which provides financial assistance to students in the Sixth Form to help with the costs of staying in education. This can cover expenses such as transport, books, and equipment.

The school's "Big School, Small Feel" philosophy is anchored in its pastoral system. Because students are split across two sites, the pastoral teams are dedicated to specific age groups, allowing for more focused support. Each student belongs to a tutor group within their house, and the tutor is the primary point of contact for parents.

There is a strong emphasis on mental health and emotional resilience. The school employs dedicated pastoral support workers and has a well-established peer mentoring scheme where older students support younger ones with the transition to secondary school. Safeguarding is robust, and the school works closely with external agencies to support students with more complex needs.

The extracurricular life at Lord Williams's is exceptionally rich, benefiting from the school's scale and facilities. Sport is a major pillar of school life, with the school boasting an on-site sports centre and swimming pool. Teams compete at a high level in rugby, netball, and athletics, and the school frequently reaches regional finals in football.

The creative arts are equally prominent. The Phoenix Studio provides a dedicated space for art and design, and the school's drama department is known for ambitious annual productions that involve hundreds of students across both campuses.

Music is a core strength, featuring the Lord Williams's School Concert Band and various jazz and choral ensembles. The school also offers the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels, which is a popular choice for students looking to build leadership and outdoor skills.

The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm. Students must manage the transition between the two sites, though for most, this only happens at the end of Year 9.

Transport is a key consideration given the rural catchment. Many students arrive via dedicated school buses from surrounding villages. For those in Thame, the school is easily accessible by foot or bicycle. The Upper School site is located on the Oxford Road (A418), providing good road links but also meaning drop-off times can be busy.

• The Split-Site Transition: Moving from the Lower School to the Upper School in Year 10 is a significant change. While most students find it exciting, some may find the shift in environment and the increase in campus size challenging.
• Size of the School: With over 2,200 students, the school is very large. While the house system and split-site model help, students who prefer very small environments may find the scale overwhelming.
• Oversubscription: Competition for places is high, particularly for those living on the edges of the catchment area. Families should verify their proximity to the school before applying. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.
• A-level Competition: While the school is a local leader, A-level results sit in the national lower band when compared to high-performing selective grammars and independents.

Lord Williams's School is an excellent example of a high-functioning, large-scale comprehensive that has successfully maintained its soul. It manages to feel like a community school while offering the facilities and subject breadth of a much larger institution. It is best suited to students who will take advantage of the vast extracurricular opportunities and who are ready for the independence that the Upper School and Sixth Form sites provide. For families in Thame and the surrounding villages, it remains the primary choice for state education in the area.