Hardwick Primary School and Nursery, Banbury

In its own words: "At Hardwick Primary School, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, valued and inspired. Our school is a place where kindness and ambition shape every experience and where each child is given the care, tools and encouragement they need to flourish."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Hardwick Primary School, a place where children are known, nurtured and encouraged to shine. I am incredibly proud to have served as the Headteacher of our wonderful school since 2023-2024, leading the dedicated staff team who work every day to create a warm, inclusive and ambitious environment in which every child can thrive."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care, from £4 per session.

Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 4 November 2026, an open day on Thursday 12 November 2026 and an open day on Wednesday 18 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 77% of Year 6 pupils at Hardwick Primary School and Nursery reached the expected standard in reading and 77% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 75% in Oxfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 63% in reading and 70% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 34 families put Hardwick Primary School and Nursery as their first choice and 107 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 6 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Hardwick Primary School and Nursery are Hill View Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 62% reading, 70% maths); Hanwell Fields Community School (0.5 miles, Good, 65% reading, 58% maths); William Morris Primary School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 71% reading, 75% maths); and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Banbury (0.9 miles, Requires improvement, 65% reading, 69% maths).

Hardwick Primary School and Nursery's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Hardwick Primary School and Nursery is one of 43 schools run by GLF Schools, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 64% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

27 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Hardwick Primary School and Nursery (as of September 2025): 70% would recommend the school, 74% say their child is happy there and 90% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (90%); the weakest, that the school supports their child's wider development (56%).

31.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (56%), Asian (12%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 41 pupils (16.5%) received SEN support and 20 (8%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

Hardwick Primary School and Nursery had 14 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Banbury Rail Station, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Longelandes Close (adjacent), 200 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 190 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Oxfordshire (52), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Hardwick Primary School and Nursery issued 26 suspensions, 10.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Hardwick Primary School and Nursery are North Oxfordshire Academy (0.5 miles), Futures Institute Banbury (1.7 miles) and Wykham Park (1.8 miles).