Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #15 in Oxfordshire public Top 17% UK

The Bicester School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Tony Rushworth

corporate_fareACTIVATE LEARNING EDUCATION TRUST

location_onBicester, OX26 2NS

language Visit Website phone 1869243331

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,283

trending_up

Attainment 8

47.9

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GCSE Rank

#16 in Oxfordshire

#1,228 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Bicester School is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Bicester, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

The Bicester School is an academy sponsor led in Bicester, Oxfordshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of ACTIVATE LEARNING EDUCATION TRUST. The school has approximately 1,198 pupils on roll, of whom 20% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 47.9, placing the school #16 in Oxfordshire and #1,228 of 3,216 nationally. 49.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 21.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 19 A-level subjects. 39.5% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 12.7% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.46 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.7:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.9 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

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Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

47.9

Grade 5+ E&M

49.00%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)21.3%

Entering EBacc44.60%

EBacc APS4.37

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.16

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc43.20%

EBacc APS4.12

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.51

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41%

EBacc APS3.72

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.32

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc48%

EBacc APS4.28

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc60%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.22

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc77%

EBacc APS4.09

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.08

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc39%

EBacc APS4.18

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)80%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)76%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment10%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)76%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment11%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.46

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*2.5%

Achieving A*–A12.7%

Achieving A*–B39.5%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate95.9%

A-level subjects offered19

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.07

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate98.10%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate97.00%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate93.5%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

12 March 2024

Inspection Report

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05 June 2018

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-03-12

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2018-06-05

Academy First Section 5 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2014-05-21

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

4.3%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.3%(39 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,198 pupils. During this period, there were 52 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.3%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,198	52	4.3%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,198	66	5.5%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,245	55	4.4%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,239	38	3.1%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,234	51	4.1%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,266	65	5.1%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,283	52	4.1%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,289	46	3.6%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,283	45	3.5%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,295	62	4.8%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,301	83	6.4%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,172	52	4.4%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,177	12	1.0%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,175	33	2.8%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,113	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,113	29	2.6%	3.2%	2
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,110	38	3.4%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,003	28	2.8%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,007	27	2.7%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,009	24	2.4%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	920	22	2.4%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	920	13	1.4%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	938	22	2.3%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	901	15	1.7%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	909	19	2.1%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	921	20	2.2%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Moderate Learning Difficulty 88 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 56 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 32 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 31 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 16 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 13 pupils

Hearing Impairment 5 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

85.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

87.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

27.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree23%

agree55%

disagree13%

strongly disagree3%

don't know6%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree16%

agree53%

disagree18%

strongly disagree6%

don't know7%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree34%

agree24%

disagree7%

strongly disagree6%

don't know4%

not applicable24%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes22%

no78%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree25%

agree30%

disagree28%

strongly disagree15%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree32%

agree52%

disagree9%

strongly disagree2%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree33%

agree53%

disagree9%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree32%

agree49%

disagree14%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree33%

agree59%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know3%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree33%

agree54%

disagree7%

strongly disagree1%

don't know5%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree22%

agree47%

disagree15%

strongly disagree4%

don't know12%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes85%

no15%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Oxfordshire

Gillotts School

Didcot Girls' School

The Cherwell School

Langtree School

Matthew Arnold School

The Swan School