North Oxfordshire Academy
Drayton Road, Banbury, OX16 0UDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
North Oxfordshire Academy is a secondary school in Banbury for ages 11 to 19. It is one of the 359 schools in Oxfordshire. It ranks 2nd of 6 secondary schools in Banbury. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2013.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 31 January 2013, report published 25 February 2013
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 8 November 2022
North Oxfordshire Academy (NOA) is a caring and inclusive school. Staff know the pupils well and, as one parent described, 'They always put the needs of the children at the heart of everything they do.' Consequently, pupils feel safe at school. Bullying is rare and staff deal effectively with any concerns. Pupils receive a good all-round education. Leaders are determined that pupils will achieve their best. They study a wide range of subjects, both academic and vocational, including in the sixth form. Pupils benefit from being taught by enthusiastic and knowledgeable subject specialists in all areas. Staff support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively because pupils' needs are identified clearly. The school environment is calm and pupils are polite and respectful. There are very clear expectations of behaviour. The vast majority of pupils conduct themselves well. Where some pupils do not meet behaviour expectations, staff use the school's systems effectively to resolve issues in a measured way. Many pupils participate in the wide range of extra-curricular opportunities on offer. Sport and music activities are particularly popular. Pupils also appreciate the numerous leadership opportunities through roles which include library ambassadors and pupil mentoring.
What the school should improve
- The school does not currently offer a computing course. This means that pupils are not taught all aspects of programming. Leaders should implement their plans to introduce computer science in key stages 3 and 4, so that pupils are taught the full breadth of this subject.
- Teachers do not provide enough opportunities for pupils to tackle more complex questions and problems. This limits the development of fluency and expertise for high prior attaining pupils. Leaders should ensure that all staff have the knowledge and confidence to adapt their learning activities, so that most-able pupils can fulfil their potential.
- A significant minority of pupils leave the school during key stages 3 and 4 to go to college or to be home educated. In some cases, this may disrupt their education. Leaders should continue to implement their strategies to reduce this wherever possible.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
174 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
56 students
Average A level grade C+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,004 pupils on roll, with places for 1,150
Schools near North Oxfordshire Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Futures Institute Banbury | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.1 |
| Wykham Park | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 34.8 |
| Blessed George Napier Catholic School and Sixth Form | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 48.5 |
| Tudor Hall School | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 26.6 |
| The Warriner School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 44.3 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- UNITED LEARNING TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Ellie Jacobs
- Phone
- 01295224300
- Address
- Drayton Road, Banbury, OX16 0UD
- Local authority
- Oxfordshire
- URN
- 135365
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.