State School
#1 in Best Secondary Schools in Vale of White Horse

Matthew Arnold School - Ofsted Report, Parent Reviews (2025)

Matthew Arnold School
Matthew Arnold School
1 schools in compare list

Do you work at Matthew Arnold School?

Let’s update your profile for free!
Update Now
Effectiveness of leadership and management Good
Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good
Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good
Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good
Outcomes for pupils Good
16 to 19 study programmes Good
Quick insights from ofsted Powered by AI

This insight was generated by AI, based on latest Ofsted report.

Academic Progress: Strong progress in almost all subjects, some most-able pupils need more challenge.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Most pupils behave well and are well-mannered, although small issues of boisterousness exist.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Calm environment, high expectations, rare disruptions
Academic Progress: Pupils could achieve more; progress is uneven
Qualifications and Training: Most teachers have high expectations; support from experienced senior leaders is evident.
Current Educational Practices: Regular updates and distributed leadership keep practices current and collaborative.
Strengths and Challenges: Bespoke support for teachers
Strengths and Challenges: Strong teaching but some lessons lack focus leading to concentration lapses by pupils.
Qualifications and Training: Strong subject knowledge but need better assessment training
Current Educational Practices: Strategies not fully implemented
Opportunities for Involvement: Parents can get involved through various school-led initiatives and events.
Communication: School communicates effectively with parents; many appreciate the pastoral care.
Parent Satisfaction: Most parents would recommend the school, praising both academic rigour and personal attention.
Opportunities for Involvement: Frequent opportunities for involvement
Communication: Regular updates, effective communication
Parent Satisfaction: Parents satisfied with safety and behavior
Handling Conflicts and Concerns: Leaders address conflicts effectively and prioritize student and staff views.
Actions for Quality Improvement: Specific actions include prioritizing support for ‘priority pupils’ needing extra help.
Handling Conflicts and Concerns: Conflicts addressed quickly, but some improvements needed in diversity
Actions for Quality Improvement: Focus on reading and attendance issues
Managing Bullying and Safety: Safeguarding is effective, bullying is rare and dealt with promptly.
Promoting Welfare and Safety: High-quality pastoral care ensures pupils feel safe and cared for.
Managing Bullying and Safety: Bullying is dealt quickly and thoroughly
Promoting Welfare and Safety: High safety standards, supportive environment
Extracurricular Offerings: Wide range of lunchtime clubs and music activities available, some led by sixth-formers.
Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars: Students enjoy opportunities to balance academics with leadership through clubs.
Extracurricular Offerings: Wide range of clubs and trips available
Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars: Well-balanced, enriching opportunities
Career Counselling Services: Impartial careers advice helps students make informed choices for future steps.
Preparation for Sixth Form: Well-planned pastoral provision prepares students well for their next steps.
Career Counselling Services: Extensive info on careers, well-supported decisions
Preparation for Sixth Form: Sixth-form students are positive role models
Managing and Supporting SEND: Effective support helps SEND pupils improve attendance and make good progress.
Managing and Supporting SEND: Pupils with SEND need more targeted support
Subjects Offered: Broad curriculum with a variety of GCSE and some vocational options in Year 9.
Historical Ofsted reports
Contact
Suggest an edit
About Us

Matthew Arnold School is a top rated, Secondary, Co-Ed school located in Oxfordshire, South East.

It has 1285 students from age 11-18 yr with a student-teacher ratio of 17 : 1.

At this school, 52% of pupils achieved grade 5 or more at GCSE.

95.10% of pupils completing their main study programme.

This school rated Good by recent Ofsted inspection.

Distance calculator
Simply click on 'Detect My Location' to find out the distance from your current location to the school.
Matthew Arnold School
Nearby Schools in Your Area
Compare with similar schools
Current Matthew Arnold School
Matthew Arnold School
Cumnor OX2 9JE
Recommended Haberdashers' Adams
Haberdashers' Adams
Newport TF10 7BD Verified
Larkmead School
Larkmead School
Abingdon on Thames OX14 1RF
Phase of Education Secondary Secondary Secondary
Type Academies Academies Academies
Snobe grade
B-
B-
B-
Ofset report Good Good Good
Age range 11-18 11-18 11-18
Gender Co-Ed Co-Ed Co-Ed
Student teacher ratio 17.8 - 18.1
Proficient Math - - -
Proficient Read - - -
Grade 5 or above GCSE 52% 98% 45%
Grade 5 or above A Level 23.30% 35.00% 6.00%
Day Fees - - -
See more details
Matthew Arnold School Reviews
1.5 (2 reviews)
My daughter attended and the bulling system In bad my daughter got told to end her life multiple times and teachers did nothing
We started year 7 feeling very optimistic and positive about the school but sadly feel terribly let down by this school. Awful behaviour issues seems to make teaching almost impossible. My child comes home almost in tears from frustration and boredom waiting for the teachers to gain control and start the lesson. There are one or two excellent teachers but on the whole they seem disengaged. Terrible communication systems, it's almost impossible to speak to...
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 0.07 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 50.9 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 52% 26.14% 30.03%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 73% 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 44% 16.39% 25.06%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 20% 8.29% 10.91%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 32% 11.17% 15.51%
EBacc average points score 4.55 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 93% 90.53% 90.53%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 182 131 144
Pupils staying in education 89% 83.43% 84.16%
Further education college or other further education provider 21% 27.47% 32.73%
School sixth forms 66% 36.26% 29.8%
Sixth form colleges 1% 4.11% 10.22%
Other education destinations 1% 15.77% 11.43%
Pupils in apprenticeships 1% 2.91% 2.8%
Pupils staying in employment 3% 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 0.33 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 55.4 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 60% 29.39% 32.85%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 83% 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 33% 18.13% 24.94%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 28% 11.6% 13.02%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 31% 13.95% 17.19%
EBacc average points score 4.84 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 96% 86.02% 90.4%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 184 128 141
Pupils staying in education 92% 81.24% 86.29%
Further education college or other further education provider 23% 28.5% 34.03%
School sixth forms 67% 37.37% 30.82%
Sixth form colleges 0% 3.89% 10.38%
Other education destinations 2% 11.5% 11.08%
Pupils in apprenticeships 4% 2.39% 1.99%
Pupils staying in employment 1% 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 0.69 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 58.6 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 69% 3 25.22% 29.3%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 88% 8 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 38% 18.45% 25.8%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 31% 3 8.34% 11.47%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 35% 2 12.03% 16.49%
EBacc average points score 5.07 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 95% 90.15% 90.2%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 167 140 135
Pupils staying in education 88% 83.31% 84.08%
Further education college or other further education provider 28% 29.05% 33.25%
School sixth forms 58% 39.36% 31.27%
Sixth form colleges 0% 3.87% 8.45%
Other education destinations 2% 11.23% 11.14%
Pupils in apprenticeships 4% 3.87% 3.4%
Pupils staying in employment 4% 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 0.5 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 55.4 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 66% 24.63% 29.22%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 80% 3 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 41% 16.78% 24.73%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 28% 2 8.07% 11.33%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 37% 9 11.26% 16.01%
EBacc average points score 4.84 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 97% 77.69% 84.87%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 172 140 140
Pupils staying in education 87% 67.62% 73.88%
Further education college or other further education provider 27% 25% 28.31%
School sixth forms 59% 36.74% 31.6%
Sixth form colleges - 3.79% 9.08%
Other education destinations - 2.38% 5.87%
Pupils in apprenticeships 5% 4.41% 2.96%
Pupils staying in employment 5% 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 0.3 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 54.3 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 66% 25.51% 29.55%
Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs 83% 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 32% 17.37% 25.25%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above 26% 11.17% 14.71%
Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above 28% 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 95% 80.97% 85.29%
Total number of pupils included in destination measures 173 150 145
Pupils staying in education 91% 71.61% 58.19%
Further education college or other further education provider 43% 29.91% 30.58%
School sixth forms 47% 37.09% 32.22%
Sixth form colleges - 4.06% 8.95%
Other education destinations - 3.64% 5.7%
Pupils in apprenticeships 10% 5.82% 4.78%
Pupils staying in employment 5% 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 31.82 32.96 30.01
Average grade C+ - -
Average points (Best 3) 31.15 33.27 29.57
Average Grade (Best 3) C - -
AAB or higher 23.30% 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 128 197 201
Students staying in education 59% 54.2% 58.58%
Students entering apprenticeships 3% 4.89% 6.08%
Students entering employment 30% 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 38.09 35.05 33.41
Average grade B- - -
Average points (Best 3) 36.95 34.57 32.47
Average Grade (Best 3) B- - -
AAB or higher 22.3% 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 113 248 248
Students staying in education 63% 55.46% 60.67%
Students entering apprenticeships 2% 4.34% 5%
Students entering employment 21% 24.83% 17.73%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study 9% 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 36.58 5 33.15 29.39
Average grade B- - -
Average points (Best 3) 36.03 5 33.27 28.64
Average Grade (Best 3) B- - -
AAB or higher 25.5% 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 73 207 232
Students staying in education 58% 54.21% 57.31%
Students entering apprenticeships 3% 7.58% 7.77%
Students entering employment 36% 27.61% 20.99%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study 4% 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 31.26 6 32.06 29.03
Average grade C - -
Average points (Best 3) 31.24 8 32.03 28.82
Average Grade (Best 3) C - -
AAB or higher 14.0% 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 4 1 3
Students staying in education - 35% 31.5%
Students entering apprenticeships - 4.34% 5.54%
Students entering employment - 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 37.43 31.92 26.73
Average grade B- - -
Average points (Best 3) 39.52 32.93 27.73
Average Grade (Best 3) B - -
AAB or higher 25.7% 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 5 6 3
Students staying in education 8 52.93% 36.26%
Students entering apprenticeships 8% 6.46% 6.37%
Students entering employment 10% 25.39% 20.03%
Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study - 3% 4.23%
Best Schools 2025
Matthew Arnold School Rankings

Snobe ranks nearly 20,000+ schools according to their exam results, teaching quality, resources & many more indicators. (How Do We Calculate Rankings?)

How Do We Calculate Rankings?

Our school rankings are meticulously determined through a rigorous process:

This meticulous process ensures our rankings provide accurate and meaningful insights for your school choices.

Admission
Do You Like This School?
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
17 : 1
Student teacher ratio at Matthew Arnold School
Local authority ratio 19 : 1

Students

Teacher

Browse schools based on type
Loading...
Browse schools nearby Cumnor