These are the five best state primary schools around Chipping Norton;
- Sibford Gower Endowed Primary School,
- Kingham Primary School,
- Enstone Primary School,
- Great Tew County Primary School, and
- Dr Radcliffe’s CofE School in Steeple Aston.
The review covers North Oxfordshire from Bicester and Banbury to the villages at the east of the Cotswolds. The schools are all small and rural, and though quite separated, the most popular senior school for all their pupils to graduate to is Chipping Norton School. Perhaps a more accurate geographical description might be that they are all located within twelve miles of the village of Great Tew.
But the reason you would consider these schools above others in the area is because they are among the top 15% of schools in the country, as determined by the Schoolsmith Score.
The differences between primary schools are less obvious than prep schools, and deliberately so. State education is designed such that all children should receive the same curriculum irrespective of where they are taught, and who is teaching them. So, to differentiate, parents have traditionally looked to SATS results and Ofsted gradings. Beyond that, there is also a commonly held belief that Church schools are ‘better’ schools. And these are all Church schools. That’s pretty much it. Hopefully, this comparison might shed a little more light.
There is also a partner review for prep schools in Banbury and the surrounding area. And that can be found here (soon).
Age range, gender mix, and faith
Each school teaches children from age 4 to 11 years. Which means that they each have Reception class. Kingham Primary and Sibford Gower Primary both have a nursery class. Though not part of the school, there is also a pre-school adjacent to Enstone Primary for children aged 3 upwards. Similarly, there is a pre-school for children age 2½ upwards onsite at Kingham Primary.
- Sibford Gower Endowed Primary School; 3 to 11 years,
- Kingham Primary School; 3 to 11 years,
- Enstone Primary School; 4 to 11 years,
- Great Tew County Primary School; 4 to 11 years,
- Dr Radcliffe’s CofE School; 4 to 11 years.
Dr Radcliffe’s CofE School, Kingham Primary and Sibford Gower Primary also offer wraparound care from 7.45/8.00am to 5.00/6.00pm. A mix of school staff and external contractors provide the childcare according to time of day. But at Kingham Primary, only school staff provide the care.
As far as gender mix goes, they are all co-educational, as indeed are almost all state primary schools.
Only Dr Radcliffe’s CofE School is a church school, and it used to be Voluntary Aided. Which means that faith may have a role in its admissions policies.
Both Dr Radcliffe’s and Sibford Gower Primary are academy converters. Which means that the schools may have more flexibility in their school hours and curriculum. As both are members of Multi Academy Trusts they may also be able to draw on extra teaching expertise too.
Admissions
In terms of admissions policy, please refer to the individual schools’ websites. All operate a catchment system operated by Oxfordshire Education Authority.
But the faithful have some priority at Dr Radcliffe’s CofE School if it is oversubscribed for places in Reception. Which it regularly is. As is Kingham Primary School too. As for Great Tew Primary, it is one of the 20 most oversubscribed schools in Oxfordshire.
Inspections
Ofsted inspectors consider Kingham Primary to be an Outstanding school, according to its latest inspection.
Dr Radcliffe’s CofE School, Great Tew Primary, Enstone Primary and Sibford Gower Primary are all Good schools.
Buildings and grounds
Think of small Victorian schools in picturesque villages with views to the Cotswolds countryside. A reasonable caricature for three of these schools.
The exceptions to the rule are the buildings at Dr Radcliffe’s and Kingham Primary, which are perhaps more 1960s than 1860s.
Class sizes and classes per year
These small schools have either mixed-age classes or at most one class per year.
There are;
- 3 schools with four mixed-age classes; Enstone Primary School, Great Tew County Primary School and Sibford Gower Endowed Primary School.
- 2 one-form entry schools; Dr Radcliffe’s CofE School and Kingham Primary School.
Average class sizes for four Chipping Norton state primary schools are 27 to 29 pupils. Enstone Primary average class sizes are closer to 21 pupils.
Facilities at Chipping Norton state primary schools
They all have some specialist facilities to support their curricula. But given their size, specialist rooms are limited. For sport specialist facilities include playgrounds and maybe a MUGA. They usually have a school hall, or, if not, are close to a village hall, or similar. Only Dr Radcliffe’s and Sibford Gower have their own grass field.
The multi-purpose hall is the main specialist arts facility at each school. Great Tew Primary only has an art room. But the best arts facilities are at Dr Radcliffe’s CofE School where there is a specialist music room, an outdoor amphitheatre, and a multi-purpose hall with permanent stage.
Academic facilities at each school include a library or in-class library shelves, in-class computers or a computer suite, an outdoor learning/environmental area, and a learning support room.
Academic curricula
These Chipping Norton state primary schools teach a broad curriculum in line with the National Curriculum. The curricula are broadly similar. They teach subjects separately, within a topic or thematic framework, using cross-curricular linking where appropriate. All have theme days and weeks to develop project-based skills. Perhaps the ‘Creative Curriculum’ at Kingham Primary, and the ‘Learning Challenge Curriculum’ at Great Tew Primary are more thematic than at the other three schools.
The curriculum at Dr Radcliffe’s CofE School emphasises Christian social morality, particularly in lessons such as PSHE, Citizenship and in assemblies. RE, naturally, plays a prominent role in the curriculum as a core subject along with English and maths.
All five schools teach French from Year 2 or 3, but at Sibford Gower Endowed Primary, French starts in Reception.
Active involvement in environmental learning is popular in these schools. But only Enstone Primary has an Eco Schools Green Flag accreditation.
All schools have educational trips and visitors, and an adventure residential in Years 5 and/or 6. Children at Enstone Primary have the opportunity to go on a biennial residential from Year 3.
The schools also include some element of outdoor learning in their curricula, particularly for their youngest pupils. But at Sibford Gower Primary there are timetabled Forest School sessions for all pupils.
Sport at Chipping Norton state primary schools
Each school encourages participation in physical exercise by teaching around 9 to 12 different sports.
By virtue of their size, sport at these schools is more about participation than winning matches against other schools. However, for their commitment to improving their sports provision, Enstone Primary and Sibford Gower Primary have a School Games Award Gold accreditation.
The arts at Chipping Norton state primary schools
The schools all promote engagement with the arts on an individual and ensemble basis. There is art, a choir, instrument learning, and dramatic performances at each school.
However, the arts aren’t as high profile as sport.
Pupils at these five Chipping Norton state primary schools also benefit from some lunchtime and after-school activities. There’s sport, of course. But there are also a few clubs for academic enrichment, hobbies, and arts.
Academic results
Academic results at these Chipping Norton primary schools are usually in the top 30% of English schools, based on a four-year average for attainment in Year 6 SATS. The highest performers are Enstone Primary (top 13%) and Kingham Primary (top 15%).
Pupil progress results, by the same measure, are more variable, but above the national average.
Choosing the best state primary school in Chipping Norton
The freedom to choose a state school is somewhat limited as applicants need to live within the school’s catchment area. But there may be a choice of more than one. Most Education Authorities offer the opportunity to select preferred schools, albeit from a limited list.
These schools are all among the top 15% best primary schools in the country. As I hope this note has shown, any one of these should be a preference.
| Rank | Best Chipping Norton primary schools | Schoolsmith Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr Radcliffe’s Church of England School | 70 |
| 2= | Enstone Primary School | 69 |
| 2= | Kingham Primary School | 69 |
| 2= | Sibford Gower Endowed Primary School | 69 |
| 5 | Great Tew County Primary School | 66 |
See also the best state primary schools in Witney, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, Oxford, Cirencester, and Cheltenham
Why are these the best state primary schools in Chipping Norton?
Schools that feature in these notes are those with the highest Schoolsmith Scores, not just in Chipping Norton, but nationwide. The Schoolsmith Score is an objective score that accounts for 50 different aspects of schooling, grouped into 5 broad categories. You can read more about them from the links below, and the Schoolsmith Score here.
- their achievements; academic, sporting and artistic,
- the breadth of the education they offer,
- the quality of teaching,
- their facilities,
- their look and feel.
Need more help?
By now you might be wondering what you should be thinking about when choosing a school? It happens to everyone. Why not try my 7 one minute quizzes for those starting their school search? Wood, trees, and all that…