Wallingford School

Sending every person into the world able and qualified to play their full part in it. This motto, dating back to the school's founding in 1659 by Walter Bigg, a Wallingford-born merchant who rose to become Lord Mayor of London, captures the twin aims that still define this Oxfordshire comprehensive. GCSE results place Wallingford School in the top 25% in England, with a Progress 8 score of +0.31 indicating that pupils make well above average progress from their starting points. The sixth form welcomes approximately 210 students, with destinations spanning from Oxford and Cambridge to a broad spread of Russell Group universities. Serving the historic market town and surrounding villages, this 1,500-pupil school combines academic rigour with a genuine community identity rooted in over three and a half centuries of educational heritage.

The school occupies a substantial campus north of Wallingford town centre, where buildings spanning different eras tell the story of a school that has evolved considerably while maintaining its founding purpose. The original Wallingford Grammar School occupied various premises in the town from 1659, eventually merging with Blackstone Secondary Modern in 1973 to form the comprehensive school that exists today. Five main buildings now house the school: the Main Building containing reception, English, the school hall and canteen; the Kershaw Building for mathematics, drama, music and modern foreign languages; and the Castle Leisure Centre, a multi-purpose sports facility used for PE lessons and large assemblies.

Recent expansion has seen significant investment in facilities. The Willis Block, named after former headteacher Wyll Willis who led the school from 2006 to 2019, has enabled Year 7 intake to grow from seven to nine forms. The Blackstone Building, found in 2023 to contain RAAC, has received government funding for rebuilding, a practical challenge the school has managed whilst maintaining continuity of education.

John Marston, headteacher since September 2019, describes teaching and learning as very strong, with staff committed to innovation and creativity in the classroom and beyond. The November 2022 Ofsted inspection confirmed this picture, rating the school Good and noting that pupils of all abilities learn together in a diverse and rich environment. Pupils report feeling happy and safe, with a calm and orderly atmosphere throughout.

The school's connection to the Merchant Taylors' Company continues through the Merchant Taylors' Oxfordshire Academy Trust, formed when Wallingford became an academy in 2011. This link to one of the City of London's ancient livery companies provides opportunities including photography competitions and the Livery Entrepreneurs Challenge, connecting students to a wider network of educational institutions.

GCSE Results

Wallingford School ranks 1,115th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% of schools. Locally, it ranks 2nd among schools in the Wallingford area. The Attainment 8 score of 50.3 sits comfortably above the England average, while the English Baccalaureate average point score of 4.52 exceeds the England benchmark of 4.08.

The Progress 8 score of +0.31 is particularly telling. This value-added measure indicates that students make significantly more progress at Wallingford than would be predicted from their starting points, suggesting effective teaching and support structures across all ability levels. The 2022 Ofsted report noted that pupils achieve very well by the end of Year 11 across a broad range of subjects.

A-Level Results

At A-level, the school ranks 900th in England (FindMySchool ranking), placing it within the middle 35% of schools in England at the 34th percentile. Locally, the sixth form ranks 2nd in Wallingford. Results show 8.7% of grades at A*, 15.8% at A, and 29.6% at B, giving a combined A*-B rate of 54.1%. This exceeds the England average of 47.2% for A*-B grades.

The sixth form is described by the school as an inclusive, exciting and ambitious environment that delivers excellent results. Around 210 students study in Years 12 and 13, with all Wallingford School students guaranteed a place in sixth form regardless of their GCSE outcomes. This comprehensive approach to post-16 education ensures continuity for students who have built relationships with staff and peers through their secondary years.

The curriculum follows a structured approach across all year groups. In Key Stage 3, students follow a broad programme before making options choices in Year 9. The emphasis on reading runs throughout, with leaders prioritising this skill centrally in the curriculum and supporting struggling readers through a strengthened learning support team.

Teaching follows clear structures with high expectations. The Ofsted inspection found that school leaders and staff maintain high aspirations for all students, who respond positively and learn effectively across subjects. Some curriculum development remains ongoing; the inspection noted that in English and design technology, the curriculum requires further development to ensure full sequencing of essential knowledge.

Specialist facilities support learning across the curriculum. The Kershaw Building provides dedicated spaces for drama and music alongside modern foreign languages. Design technology workshops and ICT facilities are housed in the Main Building, while the Castle Leisure Centre offers extensive sports provision including a multi-purpose sports hall with a built-in climbing wall.

In the 2023/24 cohort of 107 sixth form leavers, 50% progressed to university, 3% to apprenticeships, and 28% directly into employment. The school notes that destinations are wide and varied, with almost all students securing places at their first choice institution.

Nine students applied to Oxbridge in the measurement period, with one securing a place at Cambridge. The school ranks 287th in England for Oxford applications, indicating an active culture of supporting students through competitive application processes. University destinations include Russell Group institutions from Edinburgh to Exeter, with students pursuing competitive courses across a range of subjects.

The school's comprehensive nature means students follow diverse pathways. For those not pursuing higher education, the 28% entering employment and 3% taking apprenticeships represent significant proportions choosing practical routes into careers. Further education accounts for 2% of leavers, typically pursuing specialist vocational qualifications.

Wallingford School is administered through Oxfordshire County Council's coordinated admissions process. The school was oversubscribed in 2024, receiving 498 applications for 234 places, a ratio of 2.13 applications per place. This demand reflects the school's strong reputation in the local area.

Seven partner primary schools feed into Wallingford School, including Benson CE Primary, Cholsey Primary, and St John's Primary. Children from these schools receive priority in the admissions criteria, providing a clear pathway for families in the designated area. The school's catchment extends across Wallingford and surrounding villages, with a designated area map available through Oxfordshire County Council.

Applications for Year 7 entry follow the standard Oxfordshire secondary school admissions timeline. Parents must apply through the county council website by the October deadline for the following September entry. National Offer Day falls in March.

For in-year admissions, applications are processed through Oxfordshire County Council's in-year transfer system. The school welcomes enquiries from families moving to the area, with places allocated according to published criteria when vacancies arise.

Sixth Form Admissions

The sixth form operates its own admissions process for external applicants seeking to join in Year 12. The Sixth Form Open Evening for 2026 entry took place in November 2025, providing prospective students and parents the opportunity to explore facilities and meet staff.

Applications are submitted through the online portal at wallingford.applicaa.com/year12. Around 30 A-level and vocational qualifications are available, spanning STEM subjects including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and further mathematics; humanities including history, geography, politics and philosophy; and creative subjects including art and design, drama, music and photography. Subject-specific entry requirements apply, with details provided in the published subject entry requirements document for September 2026.

Internal students are guaranteed a place in sixth form, though they must still apply formally and meet subject requirements for their chosen courses. Ms Alison Mummery, Director of Sixth Form, leads the post-16 provision.

The school takes a comprehensive approach to student welfare. Ofsted noted that pupils' personal development and welfare are the absolute focus, with students feeling safe and confident. A school health nurse service provides on-site health support, while Young Carers receive dedicated peer supporter assistance.

The house system creates vertical communities across year groups, fostering relationships between older and younger students. Sixth formers serve as effective role models and subject ambassadors, contributing to the pastoral culture throughout the school. Parents report that any issues, such as bullying, are dealt with effectively by staff.

The learning support team has been strengthened in recent years, providing targeted assistance for students requiring additional help. The Ofsted report noted that students with special educational needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are not yet achieving their highest potential, identifying this as an area for continued development.

Sport

The Castle Leisure Centre provides exceptional sports facilities, including all-weather football and hockey pitches, grass pitches, indoor and outdoor netball courts, tennis courts, and a multi-purpose sports hall with volleyball, basketball and badminton provision. A built-in climbing wall adds adventure to the PE curriculum. The leisure centre operates as a community facility outside school hours, reflecting the school's position at the heart of Wallingford.

Competitive sport features prominently, with netball and football tournaments running throughout the year. The proximity to the River Thames has fostered strong rowing connections; Wallingford Rowing Club juniors, many from the school, recently completed a 24-hour sponsored ergo challenge. PE extra-curricular clubs run throughout the week.

Drama and Music

The Kershaw Building houses dedicated drama and music facilities, including a drama studio available for community hire. Recent productions have included The Addams Family in 2024, demonstrating the school's commitment to ambitious theatrical productions. The Merry Wanderers Shakespeare project brings students together to explore classical texts through performance.

Year 13 music students complete performance elements of their A-level work within dedicated facilities. Music rooms are available for individual practice and ensemble rehearsals. The school's connection to the Merchant Taylors' Company provides additional opportunities for musical collaboration across partner institutions.

Languages and International Links

International exchange programmes run to France and Germany, with regular French exchanges to Grenoble and a German exchange programme offering immersive language experiences. Belgian trips and cultural evenings, including An Evening of German at Radley College, extend language learning beyond the classroom. These experiences support the modern foreign languages curriculum and build cultural awareness.

Academic Enrichment

The UKMT Team Maths Challenge sees students compete against peers from across the region. World Challenge expeditions take students on summer adventures combining trekking, community projects and cultural immersion. The Livery Entrepreneurs Challenge, run through the Merchant Taylors' Company, develops business skills and creative thinking.

Geography field trips include visits to Morocco, offering students direct experience of contrasting landscapes and cultures. Art trips to London galleries extend classroom learning, while photography competitions through the Merchant Taylors' Company showcase student creativity. The Army Cadet Force provides military-themed personal development for interested students.

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm, with the leisure centre providing priority school use during these hours. Transport links connect Wallingford to surrounding villages, with the school situated on St George's Road to the north of the town centre. The school operates a cashless catering system through ParentPay, with canteen facilities in the Main Building.

Lockers are available for students to store belongings securely. The Virtual Learning Environment provides online access to resources and homework assignments. The leisure centre facilities are available for community hire outside school hours, with booking information available through the school website.

Curriculum development ongoing. The Ofsted inspection noted that in English and design technology, curriculum plans require further development to ensure full sequencing of essential knowledge. This work was identified in November 2022 and may have progressed since.

Support for disadvantaged pupils. The inspection found that students with special educational needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are not yet achieving their highest potential, with lesson demands sometimes insufficient for their needs. Families of students with additional needs should discuss support arrangements directly with the school.

Building works. The Blackstone Building has been off-limits to students since RAAC was discovered in 2023, with government funding secured for rebuilding. This ongoing construction may affect some aspects of school life until completion.

Oversubscribed admissions. With 2.13 applications per place in 2024, securing a Year 7 place is competitive. Families outside the designated area or not attending partner primary schools should consider their position carefully in the admissions criteria.

Wallingford School delivers on its founding promise to send young people into the world able and qualified. GCSE results in the top 25% in England, combined with a Progress 8 score showing pupils make significantly better than expected progress, demonstrate effective teaching across ability ranges. The sixth form provides a genuine pathway to university for those who want it, while supporting diverse destinations including apprenticeships and employment.

Best suited to families in the Wallingford area seeking a comprehensive school with strong academic performance, community roots, and genuine heritage. The school's inclusive sixth form, guaranteeing places for all internal students, provides continuity for families who value keeping options open. Those seeking the most selective academic environment may find the comprehensive intake less pressured than grammar schools, which will suit some students better than others. For families within the catchment or partner primary schools, this is a high-performing comprehensive with a clear identity and strong local reputation.