Woodstock Church of England Primary School Review 2026: High-attaining, faith-led primary with strong outdoor learning

The headline for parents is key stage 2 attainment. In 2024, 91.33% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 39% reached greater depth, compared with the England average of 8%.

Scaled scores, where provided, are also high: reading 109, mathematics 109, and grammar, punctuation and spelling 111. Science attainment is similarly strong, with 93% meeting the expected standard compared with an England average of 82%.

FindMySchool’s proprietary ranking based on official data places the school 600th in England for primary outcomes and 1st in the Woodstock local area. This translates to performance that outperforms 90% of schools in England (top 10%), with the underlying percentile suggesting results closer to the top few per cent nationally.

For parents benchmarking locally, FindMySchool’s Local Hub pages and comparison tools can be a practical way to view these results alongside other Oxfordshire primaries without relying on third-party league tables.

A consistent theme in formal reporting is curriculum ambition and careful sequencing. The curriculum is described as clearly mapped across phases, with deliberate vocabulary development and frequent opportunities for pupils to revisit and secure prior learning.

Early reading is a clear strength. Teaching is structured so that books align closely with pupils’ phonic knowledge, and checks are used to identify any child who needs additional support before gaps widen.

Breadth matters too. Languages begin early, with French taught across the school and Spanish referenced as an additional after-school option, which helps pupils reach secondary education with confidence in listening and speaking as well as basic written work.

As a state primary, the key transition is Year 6 to Year 7. The school states that the large majority of children transfer to The Marlborough Church of England School in Woodstock, and it describes a structured induction approach, including multiple visits during Year 6 to support a smooth move to secondary education.

Beyond the main transition destination, pupils also benefit from wider partnership activity across local schools, especially through shared sport and curriculum events hosted with secondary partners.

Admissions are coordinated through Oxfordshire County Council, rather than directly by the school. The school directs families to the council’s admissions guidance for current processes and criteria, which is particularly relevant because local authority rules and documentation control how places are allocated in voluntary controlled schools.

For Reception entry for September 2026, Oxfordshire’s published timetable states applications opened on 4 November 2025, with a deadline of 15 January 2026, and National Offer Day on 16 April 2026. Since today is 26 January 2026, that deadline has passed for September 2026 entry, and families considering later moves should check the in-year process and waiting list arrangements via the local authority.

Demand is material. For the primary entry route data, 86 applications led to 46 offers, and the status is recorded as oversubscribed. Where distance is a deciding factor for local authority allocations, families should use tools such as FindMySchool Map Search to understand how their home location compares with recent allocation patterns, while recognising that the furthest offered distance varies year to year.

The school has also been part of local authority planning discussions around capacity and place pressure in the area. Oxfordshire has previously consulted on expanding primary places locally, and parents should read current admissions documents to understand published admission numbers for the relevant year.

The school’s pastoral picture is built around relationships, pupil voice, and clear behaviour expectations. Older pupils take on structured responsibilities, including playground leadership, which supports orderly social time and gives children an age-appropriate way to contribute to the wider community.

There is also a strong rights-respecting and participation strand, with pupil groups such as the Children’s Council, Respecting Rights Committee, and Global Gang referenced as routes for children to shape decisions and reflect on fairness, inclusion, and belonging.

Safeguarding arrangements were judged effective at the same February 2025 inspection.

Outdoor learning is not an add-on here, it is part of the school’s identity. Forest School is offered for early years and key stage 1 pupils, and it is also described as an after-school club for older children, with themes ranging from nature investigation to imaginative play, shaped around the needs and interests of the group.

Environmental work shows up in practice as well as policy. The school describes growing beds, a greenhouse, and a potting shed, with pupils growing produce and using it in cooking activities. A broader sustainability plan references Eco-Schools activity and a Green Flag award, alongside ongoing work such as audits and energy monitoring.

Music and performance appear regularly in school life. The school references older pupils participating in Young Voices, and other published items point to choir involvement in local civic events. These experiences matter for confidence and teamwork as much as musical development.

Trips are used to make curriculum themes tangible. A recent example links history learning to a visit to Oxford Castle and Prison, described as part of a wider Law and Order theme.

The school day begins at 8.40am, with doors open from 8.35am, and the day ends at 3.10pm. Nursery drop-off is set earlier, at 8.30am.

Wraparound care is available via an external provider, with provision described as running from 7.30am to 6.00pm on weekdays.

Travel is clearly shaped by safeguarding and local congestion. Families are encouraged to walk where possible, and on-site car access is restricted to permit holders, with an emphasis on reducing risk and disruption around the gates.

• Competition for places. With 86 applications for 46 offers for the recorded primary entry route, demand is real, and families should treat admission as uncertain unless they understand the local authority criteria well.

• Deadlines are unforgiving. For September 2026 Reception entry, the local authority deadline was 15 January 2026. If you missed it, in-year pathways and waiting lists become the main route, which can change timelines and certainty.

• Faith character is meaningful. The Church of England identity shapes worship and values. Families seeking a fully secular experience may prefer an alternative, while others will welcome the explicit Christian framing.

• Outdoor learning is prominent. Forest School and wider environmental work suit children who learn well through practical exploration. Those who prefer a more classroom-centred experience may need to ask how outdoor time is balanced across year groups.

Woodstock Church of England Primary School pairs exceptionally strong attainment with a clear values-led identity and a practical, outward-looking curriculum, particularly around outdoor learning, participation, and cultural experiences. Entry remains the primary hurdle, and families should engage early with Oxfordshire’s admissions timelines and criteria. Best suited to families who want a faith-rooted primary experience with high academic expectations, strong pupil responsibility, and regular enrichment beyond the classroom.