These Oxfordshire primary schools have outstanding Ofsted ratings

Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills, is a non-ministerial department which inspects services that provide education and skills for learners of all ages.

It rates places such as schools as outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate.

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Outstanding schools are the highest rated while inadequate are the lowest.

The information on this list has been sourced from the latest reports on the Ofsted website.

It is important to note some of the schools on this list include those which also teach pupils older than primary school age, as well as primary age pupils.

These are the Oxfordshire primary schools which have been awarded outstanding ratings.

Oxfordshire Hospital School

c/o St Nicholas’ Primary School, Raymund Road, Old Marston, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 0PJ

This school received its outstanding rating following an inadequate inspection rating in 2016.

The report found the “headteacher and her team of leaders have transformed the culture and outlook of the school. All the weaknesses identified at the last inspection have been eradicated”.

It added: “Teaching, learning and assessment have not only remained outstanding, but have gone from strength to strength.”

Pupils also have “splendid opportunities to develop their knowledge of the outside world, through inspiring activities, cultural events and opportunities to contribute. Leaders and staff make the most of the wide range of experiences offered by Oxford and the wider area”.

Windmill Primary School

Margaret Road, Headington, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX3 8NG

Windmill Primary School moved its rating up from good to outstanding at its last inspection.

The report found the school is now outstanding in all areas.

The report explained: “The headteacher, extremely well supported by all governors and staff, leads a school where ‘Achievement through Community, Creativity and Challenge’ is the vision.

“Pupils make excellent progress throughout the school. When they leave in Year 6, pupils reach standards that are well above those found nationally in reading, writing and mathematics.”

It also added that pupils “spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a strong feature of all the school does. Pupils are reflective and very aware of the world around them”.

The Iffley Academy

Iffley Turn, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 4DU

This was the first inspection this school had and the inspection found it was outstanding in all areas.

The report said: “Very ambitious leadership and the pursuit of excellence have resulted in high expectations for all students.

“Leaders, including governors, have ensured that students make outstanding progress by providing rigorous checking of learning and high quality training for staff.”

It also found that students behaviour is “outstanding” and they are “extremely polite and helpful”.

Thomas Reade Primary School

Thomas Reade Primary School, Radley Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3RR

This primary school increased its rating from good to outstanding in its last inspection.

The report found the school was rated outstanding in nearly every area, except a couple where it was labelled as good.

The report found: “One parent accurately captured the essence of this outstanding school when commenting, ‘The school is welcoming and friendly and is extremely well focused on the children’s welfare and development in all areas of their education.’

“Consequently, pupils’ attainment is high by the end of Year 6 and they develop values such as respect, politeness and good manners, as well as growing enormously in confidence and self-esteem.

“This means that the school is giving its pupils a very strong foundation for the next stage of their education and for later life.”

Appleton Church of England (A) Primary School

Church Road, Appleton, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX13 5JL

At its last full inspection, the school was rated as outstanding.

The report found the school was in the outstanding category in every single area.

The report found: “This is an outstanding school. Pupils flourish beyond the expectations of many parents because they are given, 'Wings to fly'. At its heart lies an extremely caring Christian ethos in which pupils are known inside out, cared for exceptionally well, achieve very high standards and develop very well spiritually, morally, socially and culturally.

“As one parent wrote, 'This is a wonderful school. I am always amazed at how the dedicated staff extract talents I did not know my children even had'.”

It also noted that the success of the school comes from the “headteacher's outstanding leadership and management”.

Chilworth House School

Thame Road, Wheatley, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX33 1JP

At the school’s most recent inspection it was rated as outstanding, upping its rating from two good reports in 2016 and 2012.

The inspection report called Chilworth a “wonderful school” which “makes a significant difference to pupils’ lives”.

It added: “Pupils, who were previously uninspired, simply flourish during their time here. A strong and caring ethos permeates the school.

“Leaders have created a haven where pupils are enthusiastic about their learning, kept safe and thrive.”

As well as this, pupils “learn to manage big feelings” and “self-regulate their emotions”.

Woodstock Church of England Primary School

Shipton Road, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1LL

The schools last inspection saw it lift its 2008 good rating and turn it into an outstanding one.

The report found: “Pupils make outstanding progress in reading, writing and mathematics. By the end of Year 6 they are achieving standards that are significantly above those achieved nationally.”

It added the “inspirational and highly effective” headteacher has had a “relentless focus on improving pupils’ achievement”.

Mulberry Bush School

Abingdon Road, Standlake, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 7RW

In its latest report, the school matched its previous inspection rating of outstanding.

The school was rated outstanding in all areas.

The report noted that both “teachers and other staff work “exceptionally well together” to give pupils opportunities for success.

It added: “The school’s stability helps pupils to achieve exceptionally well from their starting points, which are well below those expected for their age.

“The school is an outstandingly safe environment within which pupils learn and thrive supported by the care, patience and encouragement of the staff.”

Combe CofE Primary School

Church Walk, Combe, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 8NQ

At its last full inspection the school achieved an outstanding rating.

The report explained that pupils “achieve extremely well and reach exceptionally high standards”, as well as this they are “enthusiastic” about all their teachers and support staff offer them.

It added: “Standards by the end of Years 2 and 6 are, and have been since the school's last inspection, exceptionally high in English, mathematics and science. Outstanding teaching and the headteacher's strong leadership underpin the school's success.”

Longworth Primary School

School Close, Longworth, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX13 5EU

In its latest inspection report the school increased its rating from good to outstanding.

The school was rated as outstanding in nearly every area, except in two where it received a good rating.

The report described “nothing of significance is less than good”

It added: “There is constant effort to improve from the staff, pupils and members of the governing body. Attainment has risen sharply in recent years. Pupils' attainment is high by the end of Year 6 from levels that are generally similar to those expected for the age group at the start of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

“Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities are also extremely positive about their learning and make similar progress to their peers.”

Stockham Primary School

Stockham Way, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 9HL

This school’s outstanding rating follows two previous inspections which labelled the school as good.

The report described leaders and teachers as “single-minded in their pursuit of excellence”, alongside this subject leaders are “highly capable”.

It said: “Teaching is outstanding. The teaching of writing, in particular, has improved. Teachers also use their well-developed subject expertise to introduce and embed complex concepts, most noticeably in mathematics.

“Pupils are extremely motivated to learn. They enjoy reading and accessing rich texts. Due to teachers’ enthusiasm and commitment, pupils display high levels of interest in a broad range of subjects.”

Fitzwaryn School

Denchworth Road, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 9ET

This inspection saw the school achieve outstanding marks in every category.

The report found: “The headteacher and other leaders pursue excellence in all of their activities and are highly ambitious for the future of the school. Leaders have ensured pupils achieve outstandingly well due to high quality training and rigorous checks on teaching.

“Innovative systems to check pupils’ progress ensures that anyone who falls behind can quickly catch up. This ensures that a high proportion of pupils make better than expected progress in English and mathematics and in their personal development.”

The Hendreds Chruch of England School

Ford Lane, East Hendred, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 8JX

The report described the headteacher as having as “very high expectations for both staff and pupils”.

It explained: “There is a culture of continuous improvement to teaching and learning that secures excellent outcomes for all pupils.

“Senior leaders provide teachers with timely support that enables them to improve their practice. This has a very positive impact on pupils’ learning.

Didcot Primary School

Chestnut Drive, Great Western Park, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 6DP

The school’s headteacher is described as “unwavering in her determination to provide the very best possible school experience for every pupil”.

The “depth and quality of leadership, at all levels, is excellent”.

The report added: “The curriculum inspires staff and pupils because it is vibrant and thoughtfully planned.

“Pupils’ skills, knowledge and understanding are developed exceptionally well across a range of carefully interconnected curriculum areas.”

Buckland Church of England Primary School

Summerside, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, SN7 8RB

The school was rated as outstanding in every area in its last inspection.

The report found: “The headteacher leads by example, insisting on the highest standards in all areas of the school. Her expertise is used very well across the academy trust.

“Leaders are not complacent. They rigorously scrutinise information about pupils’ progress and ensure any relative weaknesses are rapidly ironed out.”

Frank Wise School

Hornbeam Close, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 9RL

The latest inspection result made it the third straight outstanding result for the school, following similar ratings in 2006 and 2010.

At the school, pupils are said to make “outstanding” progress and their achievements are “exceptional”.

The report added: “Since the previous inspection, leaders and managers have continued to maintain and improve outstanding provision. They have extended the range of work experiences and opportunities for independent living.”

William Morris Primary School

Bretch Hill, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 0UZ

The report found that since “taking charge in 2016, the headteacher has driven the development of the school with grit and determination. The improvements achieved in every area of the school have been rapid and highly effective.”

The teaching at the school is described as “calm, purposeful and precise” and teachers know what pupils require.

Swalcliffe Park School

Swalcliffe, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15 5EP

This is the third outstanding rating for this school, following two in 2008 and 2012 as well as respectable good rating in 2005.

The school was rated as outstanding in every area.

Students were said to make “exceptional” progress, often from very low starting points. They achieve “excellent results in a range of subjects and all are extremely well prepared for their next steps in education, employment or training”.

The school was said to provide “life-changing” opportunities for all students, enabling them to enjoy learning, in some cases for the first time ever.

St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School

Station Road, Chinnor, Oxfordshire, OX39 4PU

This school raised its rating from satisfactory in 2008 (satisfactory was replaced with requires improvement by Ofsted) to outstanding in its latest inspection.

The change in result came from, the report said, the headteacher’s “inspirational leadership”, with the team of senior leaders, staff and governors described as “highly committed”.

The report revealed: “Pupils progress rapidly through the school and their attainment in English and mathematics is well above average.

“Outstanding teaching, supported by very skilled teaching assistants, provides imaginative, stimulating activities that capture pupils’ interest and inspire them to want to learn more.”

Trinity Church of England Primary School

Vicarage Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 1HJ

The school brought its rating up from good to outstanding with this latest inspection.

The report said: “The headteacher’s first-rate leadership has improved all aspects of the school since the last inspection. Governors and senior leaders are highly effective. Together, they have created a culture where staff and pupils thrive.

“Leaders and governors share a clear vision for the school that promotes the achievement of every pupil within a caring community, based upon Christian values.

“Governors contribute to the school’s success through rigorously and precisely monitoring all aspects of the school’s work and challenging leaders to do better where necessary.”

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