John Mason School, Abingdon

In its own words: "Welcome to John Mason School. Our school is an inclusive, mixed-gender comprehensive built around three core values: Opportunity, Respect and Determination. Education is about opportunity and at John Mason we strive to ensure that our students experience a rich tapestry of opportunities during their years at school and in their lives beyond."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am honoured to have been chosen to lead John Mason School as Headteacher. At John Mason School we believe in success for all, not just the many. The inclusive nature of our community ensures that all children and young people, regardless of their background, ability or circumstances, can thrive and succeed here."

In 2026, pupils at John Mason School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 44.9, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.2 in Oxfordshire and 47 across England.

44% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 45% in Oxfordshire and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 44.5.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.52: pupils made well below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 24.8, against 50.2 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 25.4 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

For September 2026 entry, 65 families put John Mason School as their first choice and 413 named it as one of their preferences, for 180 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to John Mason School are Fitzharrys School (0.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.2); Larkmead School (0.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 39); Europa School UK (1.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 1.4); and The Oxford Academy (4.4 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 31.2).

John Mason School's 2026 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

John Mason School is one of 4 schools run by Alt Trust, an academy trust.

150 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about John Mason School (as of September 2025): 53% would recommend the school, 66% say their child is happy there and 47% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child does well at the school (69%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (47%).

Of the 169 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 52% to a further education college, 7% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

Of the 91 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 47% went on to university or other higher education, 4% to apprenticeships and 28% into work. 24% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

13.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Radley Rail Station, about 2.2 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is John Mason School (outside), 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 179 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Oxfordshire (52), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, John Mason School issued 432 suspensions, 43.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to John Mason School are St Nicolas Church of England Primary School, Abingdon (0.2 miles); Carswell Community Primary School (0.4 miles); Dunmore Primary School (0.5 miles); and St Edmund's Catholic Primary School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.