John Watson School has closed (Tuesday 31 March 2026).
It became an academy, which has a new school record. The school at this address is now John Watson School.
John Watson School, Oxford
John Watson School is a special school for pupils aged 2 to 19 in Oxford. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in May 2016. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in October 2022 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Good (2016)
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
John Watson School in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to John Watson School are John Watson School (under 0.1 miles); Endeavour Academy, Oxford (2.2 miles, Good); Chilworth House School (2.6 miles, Outstanding); and Chilworth House Upper School (2.7 miles, Good, selective).
John Watson SchoolEndeavour Academy, OxfordChilworth House SchoolChilworth House Upper School
Who goes there
31.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 28.7% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (54%), Asian (14%) and Mixed (11%).
Almost every pupil at John Watson School has an education, health and care plan (115 of 115 in 2026). The most common need among them is autism.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of John Watson School.
4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is John Watson School (opposite), 90 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood John Watson School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 15 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Oxfordshire (52).
Suspensions and exclusions
John Watson School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 years agoThis judgement is from May 2016, 10 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its May 2016 inspection - up from Requires Improvement.
Rated Good for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
31.3%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, SLCN - Speech, language and Communication, ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with John Watson School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to John Watson School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. John Watson School is in Oxfordshire; for families living there:
- Oxfordshire's school travel policy: Free home to school travel assistance
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
103%
Over capacity
113 pupils
110 places
3 pupils over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Oxford
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Oxford
Across Oxfordshire council
Places available
7,654
Applications
6,814
Got 1st preference
85.4%
Got preferred school
96.3%
All secondary applications across Oxfordshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
115
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
115
Total Pupils
77
Boys
38
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
21
Teachers
5.4:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£48,852
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
8.8%
Overall absence
26.7%
Persistent absence
101
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about John Watson School
What are SATs results like at John Watson School?
Of the pupils at John Watson School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 0% reached the expected standard in reading and 0% did so in maths.
What is John Watson School's Ofsted rating?
John Watson School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in October 2022, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in May 2016, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for John Watson School?
No fixed boundary. When John Watson School is oversubscribed, Oxfordshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to John Watson School?
John Watson School has around 115 pupils on roll. 31% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at John Watson School?
8.8% of sessions were missed at John Watson School in 2024/25. 26.7% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to John Watson School?
Apply through Oxfordshire's coordinated admissions process, naming John Watson School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
Where is John Watson School?
John Watson School is at Littleworth Road, Wheatley, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX33 1NN.