Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #33 in Oxfordshire public Top 37% UK

Larkmead School

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

personMr Jonathan Dennett

corporate_fareVALE ACADEMY TRUST

location_onAbingdon, OX14 1RF

language Visit Website phone 1235520141

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2019

groups

Students

866

trending_up

Attainment 8

39.4

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#34 in Oxfordshire

#2,623 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Larkmead School is a Academy converter secondary school in Abingdon, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Larkmead School is an academy converter in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of VALE ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 940 pupils on roll, of whom 22% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 39.4, placing the school #34 in Oxfordshire and #2,623 of 3,216 nationally. 34.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 14.6% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 24 A-level subjects. 47.8% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 21.3% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.1 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2019. The school's current overall rating is Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.9:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 6.9 per 1,000 pupils per term.

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

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

39.4

Grade 5+ E&M

34.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)14.6%

Entering EBacc23.60%

EBacc APS3.44

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.02

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc27.30%

EBacc APS3.79

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.17

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc24%

EBacc APS3.92

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.4

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc21%

EBacc APS3.49

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc18%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.26

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23%

EBacc APS3.54

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc35%

EBacc APS3.97

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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

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment11%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

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

Apprenticeships5%

Employment9%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

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

Apprenticeships5%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)78%

Apprenticeships10%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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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

-0.1

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*4.8%

Achieving A*–A21.3%

Achieving A*–B47.8%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate90.4%

A-level subjects offered24

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.24

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate84.60%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate85.50%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate88.9%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

26 March 2024

Inspection Report

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15 January 2019

Inspection Report

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06 January 2017

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2019-01-15

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2015-02-03

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-02-20

None EIF

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

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

5.5%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.4%(32 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 940 pupils. During this period, there were 52 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 5.5%, 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
2024/25 (Spring term)	940	52	5.5%	7.3%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	940	78	8.3%	7.8%
2023/24 (Summer term)	917	49	5.3%	7.4%
2023/24 (Spring term)	917	31	3.4%	7.1%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	910	47	5.2%	8.2%
2022/23 (Summer term)	863	64	7.4%	6.6%
2022/23 (Spring term)	866	65	7.5%	6.4%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	851	43	5.1%	5.9%
2021/22 (Summer term)	820	24	2.9%	4.7%
2021/22 (Spring term)	825	31	3.8%	4.9%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	822	46	5.6%	4.4%
2020/21 (Summer term)	843	31	3.7%	3.6%
2020/21 (Spring term)	843	22	2.6%	1.0%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	836	48	5.7%	3.9%
2019/20 (Summer term)	811	3	0.4%	0.0%
2019/20 (Spring term)	811	23	2.8%	3.2%
2019/20 (Autumn term)	802	32	4.0%	4.2%
2018/19 (Summer term)	761	10	1.3%	3.1%
2018/19 (Spring term)	764	12	1.6%	3.8%
2018/19 (Autumn term)	762	21	2.8%	3.8%
2017/18 (Summer term)	726	20	2.8%	3.4%
2017/18 (Spring term)	738	8	1.1%	3.0%
2017/18 (Autumn term)	736	9	1.2%	3.7%

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 47 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 39 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 37 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 30 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 14 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 10 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 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.

93.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

92.0%Positive

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

21.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree27%

agree58%

disagree9%

strongly disagree5%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree21%

agree51%

disagree21%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree36%

agree23%

disagree9%

strongly disagree8%

don't know1%

not applicable24%

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

yes18%

no82%

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

strongly agree32%

agree46%

disagree11%

strongly disagree7%

dont know4%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree43%

agree47%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree49%

agree45%

disagree2%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree38%

agree50%

disagree9%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree47%

agree46%

disagree6%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree51%

agree44%

disagree3%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree43%

agree36%

disagree11%

strongly disagree3%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes89%

no11%

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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