We are committed to the personal development of the whole child: spiritual, moral, social, cultural and academic. This is summed up in our values statement: Courageous and Compassionate hearts. Creative and Curious Minds. Find out more by reading our Character Education information page.

Our vision is to establish a school in which everyone feels they belong and that everyone achieves. We believe that without a strong sense of belonging, a child is less likely to be successful. Find out more by reading our vision and values information page.

Against a backdrop of rising standards over many years, GCSE performance in 2022 was truly outstanding. Performance against previous examination years increased markedly and our students now significantly outperform all students nationally. The average grades amongst all students are significantly higher than in previous years, including those amongst disadvantaged students whose attainment and progress have also increased sharply. English, maths and science results are all very strong indeed, but complemented by widespread achievements across all subjects; including geography, history, French, German, art & design and design & technology. We have strength in depth! Much more detailed information can be found by following this link to a summary of recent GCSE and BTEC results

Our Outstanding sixth form continues to thrive and go from strength to strength. Fantastic levels of achievements were again secured in 2022. This includes 39% of all grades being A* to A. 69% of grades were B or better. And 92% being grade C or better. Truly exceptional results from a great group of very hardworking students. Much more detailed information can be found by following this link to a summary of recent A level results

A. Ofsted noted that “teachers are firmly focused on helping pupils achieve their best. Parents recognise and value this, as do their children.” Ofsted also said that “a rich seam of tolerance and respect runs through the school.”

As part of the transition process we ask all pupils to nominate two friends that they would like to be with in the tutor group. We also use the information from the primary schools to guide us on which students work well together in the teaching groups. We confirm tutor groups in June, before term starts. We listen to students’ preferences and so combine the need to be with some friends, but also mix with new children as well. It works well each year and we can tweak a few class lists as we go along if necessary.

A child may struggle academically, socially, emotionally or physically. We have the right people in place to help. Our SENCo might lead on academic issues; whereas the tutor, head of year or assistant head of year may be the right person to lead on social or emotional issues. Our school nurse is there to advise on medical matters that can include worries about physical or mental health. The best advice is to begin a conversation with the member of staff that you feel most comfortable talking through the worry or concern. That person can then signpost to the right person or people, to help without delay.

In terms of online safety and all the associated issues, we have a strong programme in our

Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) lessons which cover all of this. That involves visits from the police who sometimes come in and speak to students about the dangers and indeed what the law is surrounding these issues. If children experience online issues then we aim to always get to the bottom of that, working closely with parents and carers. This is because in approximately 90% of cases, this is happening at home in bedrooms outside school hours. This is why we ask parents and carers to be vigilant and have clear boundaries/rules in place at home in relation to the use and monitoring of technology. When incidents happen in school, or have an impact in school,  then we have a clear procedure in place which will often result in what we call a ‘repair and rebuild’ meeting. This is where a restorative meeting will take place to look at the harm caused by the perpetrator.

This is a topic that we return to very, very regularly with the children all the way through their time at CNS. The answer very much depends on the problem and so it could be the tutor (who they see every single morning), the head of year or assistant head of year, the careers advisor, the school nurse, or their individual teachers. If a parent or carer has a worry then they can approach the tutor, head of year or assistant head of year in the first instance. You can call or arrange to meet, but we encourage a quick email to nip problems in the bud. Full contact information is available on our website.

The average class size in Year 7 is 26 students for both tutor groups and teaching groups. This is lower for GCSE option groups and much lower in A level classes.

Music is compulsory in Years 7 to 9 and then a GCSE and A level option thereafter. Full access to peripatetic teaching is also available and organised though Mr Brown, Head of Music.

The Year 7 students receive approximately one hour of homework per night each week. Please see our homework information page for more information.

At KS3, the students are taught in mixed ability groups. The exception is mathematics and they organise students into sets from January of Year 7. Teaching the students in mixed-ability groups allows us to challenge and stretch all students. Teachers always pitch to the top and provide scaffolds and supports to ensure that all students of all abilities can achieve the desired outcomes of lessons. We do not believe that a child’s true potential is known at the end of Year 6 and do not wish to do anything that might limit their growth.

A. Our focus on high quality academic achievement coupled with our recognition that if students are happy, safe, supported and enjoy school life they will achieve their full potential.

Each house badge has a different colour. However, the top right (bell tower) and bottom left (rivers) quadrants are the same and replicate the school badge. Each house then has its own unique icons in the top left (an animal) and bottom left (an object) quadrants. These images (and associated virtues) were chosen by the elected student council in late 2018.

• Stour and compassion are denoted by the loyal dog and the empathic mind.
• Evenlode and curiosity is denoted by the inquisitive fox and the magnifying glass.
• Glyme and creativity is denoted by the resourceful stag and the artists’ pallet.
• Windrush and courage are denoted by the brave hare and the heart.

Yes – if it is not seen or heard during school hours (8:40am to 3:15pm). Students may use their phone in lessons if their teacher wishes to use them as part of the lesson. Students are also able to use their phones to contact a family member if they seek permission from their Head of Year or Assistant Head of Year, in the first instance. If a student uses or misuses their phone then it will be confiscated and then returned to their parent or carer later that day. Students enjoy our common sense approach on this and other sensible ‘rules’ at CNS.

We have a large school canteen that serves a wide range of hot and cold food during each break. Prices start from 50p for small items and the meal of the day currently costs £2.50. Students are allowed to bring in packed lunches if they prefer. Whether a Year 7 student has a packed lunch or buys from the canteen (or both), they always sit together in the Main Hall at tables. This allows students to mix and match whether they use the canteen or take a packed lunch. Our canteen facilities are all cashless and this means that parents and carers have to ‘top up’ their children’s account online on a regular basis – offering an option to impose a few spending limits…

Yes! Do look at the individual department pages but we have: 10 specialist science laboratories, 4 art rooms (including the kiln), 3 resistant materials rooms (including the 3D laser cutter), 2 food tech rooms, 1 textiles room, 1 graphics room, 7 computer rooms, 2 music rooms, five music practice rooms, a 140-seat lecture theatre, a gymnasium, a sports hall, a full size astro turf, and a recently refurbished sixth form centre that is unparalleled locally. In addition, we have fully digitised classrooms and our pride and joy: the school library – dating back to 1929.

A. The children of families living over 3 miles from Chipping Norton School and within Oxfordshire are entitled to free transport provided by OCC. There are a number of buses and bus routes serving the school. Details are available from OCC.

Yes. We now have students who live in Warwickshire and Gloucestershire and we also have to be ready for more rapid growth in student numbers once the local housing projects are underway in the next few years.  Our numbers have grown significantly in recent years but we do not intend to turn away applicants and will instead expand the school to meet the needs of our community.

We have a wide range of clubs from ‘Healthy Cookery’, LAMDA (drama club with a qualification), ICT club, music clubs (including choir, flute group and music band), knit and natter, as well as a wide range of sports clubs. These clubs are both at lunchtimes and after school. An Extra Time Club leaflet is sent to every student in the Transition Pack in term six and updated before the start of each term with the latest menu of activities.

A. This website gives a good idea of what makes Chipping Norton School an exciting place to study but can not tell the whole story. Please arrange to visit or come to one of our Open Evenings.

Yes. Since 2017 we are proud and committed members of the River Learning Trust (RLT). Being part of the RLT ensures we remain at the cutting edge of best practice in teaching, learning, curriculum development, safeguarding, and health and safety. We enjoy the autonomy to be CNS and the unity to be stronger than the sum of our parts.