Are you curious about how Oxfordshire's primary schools stack up? A new league table, based on the latest Key Stage 2 SATs results, reveals the best and, yes, the not-so-best performers in the county. This data provides a fascinating snapshot of our children's academic achievements.
Let's dive into the details.
Shining brightly at the top are Nettlebed Community School (near Wallingford) and Sunningwell Church of England Primary School (near Abingdon), where every student is meeting their expected targets! Bethany Greenwood, the headteacher at Nettlebed Community School, shared her delight, highlighting the dedication of both students and staff. She also noted the unique challenges this cohort faced, having been very young when the pandemic hit, demonstrating the school's commitment to ensuring their education thrived despite the circumstances.
But here's where it gets interesting... Shenington Church of England Primary School (near Banbury) boasts an impressive feat: half of their pupils are exceeding expectations. Following closely is St Peter's Church of England Primary School in Cassington, with 42% of pupils performing above expectations. In Oxford itself, Wolvercote Primary School leads the pack, with 85% of students achieving at the expected level.
Wood Farm Primary School in Headington is another standout, surpassing both the Oxfordshire and national averages. Headteacher David Lewin expressed immense pride in the students' hard work and the dedication of the teachers and assistants. He also emphasized the school's broader achievements, including the children's community involvement, creative endeavors, and the welcoming atmosphere within their diverse community.
On the other hand, the schools with the lowest percentage of pupils achieving at the expected standard are South Stoke Primary School (near Wallingford) at 17%, Queen Emma's Primary School (Witney) at 24%, and Blewbury Church of England Primary School (near Didcot) at 27%. Note that this data excludes special schools and fee-paying primary schools due to the unavailability of data.
And this is the part most people miss... Oxfordshire's schools are generally on par with the national average, with 62% of pupils meeting the expected standards. However, Oxfordshire shines slightly brighter when it comes to exceeding expectations, with a percentage point above the national average at 9%.
A controversial point to consider: With over half of Oxfordshire's primary schools now operating as academies, the Oxfordshire County Council's direct involvement in supporting school improvement has changed. Councillor Sean Gaul, the cabinet member for children, education, and young people’s services, expressed satisfaction with the current results while also highlighting the council's commitment to further improvement through the Oxfordshire Education and Inclusion Partnership.
What are your thoughts on these results? Do you think the shift towards academies has impacted school performance? Share your opinions in the comments below!
