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The Cooper School - Ofsted Report, Parent Reviews (2025)
The Cooper School
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The Cooper School
- Secondary
- Bicester OX26 4RS
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Ofsted report
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Based on the inspection date: 29 November 2022
Requires Improvement
| The quality of education | Requires Improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires Improvement |
| Previous inspection grade | Good |
| Sixth-form provision | Good |
Quick insights from ofsted Powered by AI
This insight was generated by AI, based on latest Ofsted report.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Recently, behaviour has significantly improved. Pupils behave well around the school and in lessons.
Academic Progress: Pupils are not always given appropriate learning opportunities to apply and connect their knowledge.
Qualifications and Training: Staff reported needing further support and training to manage recent changes.
Current Educational Practices: Much of the curriculum reorganization is promising, but more is needed to ensure key content is well ordered.
Strengths and Challenges: Teaching staff have good subject knowledge but do not consistently help pupils build their learning securely.
Opportunities for Involvement: Pupils enjoy a range of clubs and opportunities to develop their talents and interests.
Communication: Parents worry about bullying; however, leaders have taken action to ensure that bullying is not commonplace.
Parent Satisfaction: Some parents still worry about bullying in the school.
Handling Conflicts and Concerns: Leaders recognized an increase in poor behaviour and have implemented new strategies.
Actions for Quality Improvement: Current leaders have laid out clear priorities for school improvement and are on their way to realizing their vision.
Promoting Welfare and Safety: Safeguarding leaders ensure that staff are well trained and knowledgeable.
Managing Bullying and Safety: Leaders have taken action to ensure that bullying is not commonplace.
Extracurricular Offerings: Pupils enjoy a range of clubs and opportunities to develop their talents and interests.
Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars: Pupils of all ages enjoy leadership roles in clubs, societies, musical productions and student leadership teams.
Career Counselling Services: Older pupils and sixth formers receive useful careers advice and guidance.
Preparation for Sixth Form: Sixth-form students relish studying at a higher level on the wide range of courses available to them.
Managing and Supporting SEND: Support for some pupils, including those with SEND, has not been as consistently helpful as it should be.
Historical Ofsted reports
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About Us
The Cooper School is a Secondary, Co-Ed school located in Oxfordshire, South East.
It has 1272 students from age 11-18 yr with a student-teacher ratio of 16 : 1.
At this school, 39% of pupils achieved grade 5 or more at GCSE.
98.90% of pupils completing their main study programme.
This school rated Requires Improvement by recent Ofsted inspection.
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The Cooper School
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From the The Cooper School
Welcome to The Cooper School, where we collaborate with the community to help all of our students reach their full potential as people and as members of society.
The Cooper School provides a joyful, engaging, and encouraging setting for academic learning and personal development.
The school's culture is based on the calibre of relationships.
With English and math included, the percentage of pupils earning five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C has risen and is currently higher than the national average.
Every student has a right to learn in a safe, engaging, nurturing, and happy environment; every student is motivated to learn, is curious about the world they live in, and curious about their own learning; everyone in the school community is a learner who recognises their roles and responsibilities as members of a global society; and our curriculum is rooted in third-millennium technologies, rich, and relevant to all learners.
We are oversubscribed in every year group in the school, from Years 7 through 13, as a result of the changes made to the institution over the past several years (and the resulting development in the school's reputation in the local and wider community).
To become a centre of excellence, we have concentrated on giving students the best educational experiences possible.
We want The Cooper School's children to be stretched and challenged by the enriching possibilities and challenges they encounter every day, as well as by the materials, resources, and explicit integration of new technology into the teaching and learning process that they have access to.
Read more
The Cooper School provides a joyful, engaging, and encouraging setting for academic learning and personal development.
The school's culture is based on the calibre of relationships.
With English and math included, the percentage of pupils earning five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C has risen and is currently higher than the national average.
Every student has a right to learn in a safe, engaging, nurturing, and happy environment; every student is motivated to learn, is curious about the world they live in, and curious about their own learning; everyone in the school community is a learner who recognises their roles and responsibilities as members of a global society; and our curriculum is rooted in third-millennium technologies, rich, and relevant to all learners.
We are oversubscribed in every year group in the school, from Years 7 through 13, as a result of the changes made to the institution over the past several years (and the resulting development in the school's reputation in the local and wider community).
To become a centre of excellence, we have concentrated on giving students the best educational experiences possible.
We want The Cooper School's children to be stretched and challenged by the enriching possibilities and challenges they encounter every day, as well as by the materials, resources, and explicit integration of new technology into the teaching and learning process that they have access to.
Compare with similar schools
| Phase of Education | Secondary | Secondary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Academies | Academies | Academies |
| Snobe grade |
C+
|
B-
|
B-
|
| Ofset report | Requires Improvement | Good | Good |
| Age range | 11-18 | 11-16 | 11-18 |
| Gender | Co-Ed | Co-Ed | Co-Ed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student teacher ratio | 16.3 | 15.1 | 20.2 |
| Proficient Math | - | - | - |
| Proficient Read | - | - | - |
| Grade 5 or above GCSE | 39% | 48% | 52% |
| Grade 5 or above A Level | 9.50% | - | 12.50% |
| Day Fees | - | - | - |
Secondary Exam Result
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -0.20 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 43.9 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 39% | 26.14% | 30.03% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 61% | 36% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 43% | 16.39% | 25.06% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 16% | 8.29% | 10.91% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 24% | 11.17% | 15.51% |
| EBacc average points score | 3.87 | 2.7 | 2.83 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 95% | 90.53% | 90.53% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 218 | 131 | 144 |
| Pupils staying in education | 85% | 83.43% | 84.16% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 34% | 27.47% | 32.73% |
| School sixth forms | 49% | 36.26% | 29.8% |
| Sixth form colleges | SP | 4.11% | 10.22% |
| Other education destinations | 1% | 15.77% | 11.43% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 5% | 2.91% | 2.8% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 6% | 4.11% | 3.59% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -0.26 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 48.1 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 56% | 29.39% | 32.85% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 78% | 39.72% | 45.33% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 47% | 18.13% | 24.94% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 23% | 11.6% | 13.02% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 32% | 13.95% | 17.19% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.61 | 2.9 | 2.97 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 98% | 86.02% | 90.4% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 211 | 128 | 141 |
| Pupils staying in education | 89% | 81.24% | 86.29% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 43% | 28.5% | 34.03% |
| School sixth forms | 45% | 37.37% | 30.82% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 3.89% | 10.38% |
| Other education destinations | 1% | 11.5% | 11.08% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 4% | 2.39% | 1.99% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 5% | 2.35% | 2.13% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.07 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 48.1 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 45% 2 | 25.22% | 29.3% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 68% 5 | 36.04% | 43.41% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 29% | 18.45% | 25.8% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 14% 1 | 8.34% | 11.47% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 21% 1 | 12.03% | 16.49% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.17 | 2.72 | 2.88 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 96% | 90.15% | 90.2% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 213 | 140 | 135 |
| Pupils staying in education | 90% | 83.31% | 84.08% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 38% | 29.05% | 33.25% |
| School sixth forms | 50% | 39.36% | 31.27% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 3.87% | 8.45% |
| Other education destinations | 1% | 11.23% | 11.14% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 3% | 3.87% | 3.4% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 3% | 2.97% | 2.75% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -0.02 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 48.1 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 47% 9 | 24.63% | 29.22% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 73% 2 | 35% | 42.62% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 29% | 16.78% | 24.73% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 13% 1 | 8.07% | 11.33% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 20% 5 | 11.26% | 16.01% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.09 | 2.7 | 2.84 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 95% | 77.69% | 84.87% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 219 | 140 | 140 |
| Pupils staying in education | 86% | 67.62% | 73.88% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 39% | 25% | 28.31% |
| School sixth forms | 46% | 36.74% | 31.6% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 3.79% | 9.08% |
| Other education destinations | 1% | 2.38% | 5.87% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 5% | 4.41% | 2.96% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 3% | 2.87% | 2.05% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.14 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 49.6 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 56% | 25.51% | 29.55% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 75% | 35.98% | 43.07% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 20% | 17.37% | 25.25% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 14% | 11.17% | 14.71% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 15% | 12.06% | 16.26% |
| EBacc average points score | - | - | - |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 96% | 80.97% | 85.29% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 220 | 150 | 145 |
| Pupils staying in education | 88% | 71.61% | 58.19% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 44% | 29.91% | 30.58% |
| School sixth forms | 43% | 37.09% | 32.22% |
| Sixth form colleges | - | 4.06% | 8.95% |
| Other education destinations | - | 3.64% | 5.7% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 5% | 5.82% | 4.78% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 9% | 3.55% | 2.45% |
A level exam result
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 33.12 | 32.96 | 30.01 |
| Average grade | C+ | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 30.99 | 33.27 | 29.57 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 9.50% | 18.51% | 13.67% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 111 | 197 | 201 |
| Students staying in education | 65% | 54.2% | 58.58% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 5% | 4.89% | 6.08% |
| Students entering employment | 19% | 26.83% | 21.16% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 5% | 6.77% | 9.05% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 38.24 | 35.05 | 33.41 |
| Average grade | B- | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 37.73 | 34.57 | 32.47 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | B- | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 21.3% | 22.47% | 17.7% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 97 | 248 | 248 |
| Students staying in education | 62% | 55.46% | 60.67% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 2% | 4.34% | 5% |
| Students entering employment | 29% | 24.83% | 17.73% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 4% | 8.2% | 10.69% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 33.37 7 | 33.15 | 29.39 |
| Average grade | C+ | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 34.87 6 | 33.27 | 28.64 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C+ | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 7.9% | 20.31% | 13.07% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 103 | 207 | 232 |
| Students staying in education | 64% | 54.21% | 57.31% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 3% | 7.58% | 7.77% |
| Students entering employment | 28% | 27.61% | 20.99% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 5% | 6.91% | 8.8% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 26.93 4 | 32.06 | 29.03 |
| Average grade | C- | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 28.43 6 | 32.03 | 28.82 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 4.6% | 18.43% | 13.37% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | - | 1 | 3 |
| Students staying in education | 23 | 35% | 31.5% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 5% | 4.34% | 5.54% |
| Students entering employment | 24% | 15.66% | 15.81% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | - | 3.97% | 4.22% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 30.95 | 31.92 | 26.73 |
| Average grade | C | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 34.93 | 32.93 | 27.73 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C+ | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 10.9% | 20.07% | 12.64% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | - | 6 | 3 |
| Students staying in education | 20 | 52.93% | 36.26% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | - | 6.46% | 6.37% |
| Students entering employment | 25% | 25.39% | 20.03% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 5% | 3% | 4.23% |
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Admission
Holidays & terms
Holidays 2024/25
| Holidays | Date |
|---|---|
| Autumn Half Term Holidays | 28th Oct 2024 - 1st Nov 2024 |
| Winter Holidays | 23rd Dec 2024 - 3rd Jan 2025 |
| Spring Half Term Holidays | 17th Feb 2025 - 21st Feb 2025 |
| Spring Holidays | 7th Apr 2025 - 21st Apr 2025 |
| Summer Half Term Holidays | 26th May 2025 - 30th May 2025 |
| Summer Holidays | 23rd Jul 2025 - 29th Aug 2025 |
Terms Dates 2024/25
| Terms | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 2nd Sep 2024 - 27th Oct 2024 |
| Autumn Term-2 | 2nd Nov 2024 - 22nd Dec 2024 |
| Spring Term | 4th Jan 2025 - 16th Feb 2025 |
| Spring Term-2 | 22nd Feb 2025 - 6th Apr 2025 |
| Summer Term | 22nd Apr 2025 - 25th May 2025 |
| Summer Term-2 | 31st May 2025 - 22nd Jul 2025 |
Students Teachers
16 : 1
Student teacher ratio at The Cooper School
Local authority ratio 19 : 1