There are several schools across the county that are rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

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.

READ MORE: These Oxfordshire primary schools have outstanding Ofsted ratings

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 younger than secondary school age, as well as secondary school pupils.

These are the Oxfordshire secondary 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”.

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”.

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.”

Bartholomew School

Witney Road, Eynsham, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 4AP

The school achieved outstanding ratings in all areas.

The report said: “The school leaders have established a climate where everyone is keen to learn and improve. Through regular checking and feedback to teachers, they have maintained a very high quality of teaching and learning throughout the school.

“There is a relentless focus on raising academic standards within a caring atmosphere that also values and promotes students’ personal development exceptionally well.”

Didcot Girls’ School

Manor Crescent, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7AJ

This school improved its rating from good to outstanding in its latest inspection.

The report found: “Pupils achieve very well indeed. GCSE results are considerably above the national average. Pupils make rapid progress in all subjects and year groups.

“Sixth form learners make good, but not yet outstanding, progress. They achieve good results at A level.

“Teaching is excellent in Years 7 to 11. It is interesting, inspiring and imaginative. In the sixth form, teaching is consistently good and is rapidly improving.”

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.”

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.

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