Larkmead School, Abingdon

In its own words: "Larkmead is a happy, successful school that nurtures character through our ethos of " one community , individual minds , creating futures ." ' One community' means that we value each member of the Larkmead family. Our caring and supportive culture develops students and staff, with a focus on mutual respect, well-being and the power of working together."

From the headteacher's welcome: "'Governors provide strong challenge and support to you and other leaders. They visit the school regularly and analyse pupils' progress thoroughly. They have an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and areas where improvement is needed...' I am very proud to be Chair of Governors at Larkmead School."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include dance, drama and philosophy.

On phones, the school says: "Phones are expected to be switched off and in bags while students are on the school site from arrival to departure."

In 2026, pupils at Larkmead School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.2 in Oxfordshire and 47 across England.

30% 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 39.4.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.02: pupils made about 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 26.8, against 43 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.2 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Social Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 191 families put Larkmead School as their first choice and 517 named it as one of their preferences, for 164 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 57 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Larkmead School are John Mason School (0.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44.9); Fitzharrys School (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.2); Europa School UK (2.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 1.4); and Matthew Arnold School (4.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48.6).

Larkmead School's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Larkmead School is one of 18 schools run by Cambrian Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 161 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 88% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 49% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

Of the 50 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 46% went on to university or other higher education, 14% to apprenticeships and 30% into work. 23% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (76%), Mixed (7%) and Asian (5%).

The nearest railway station is Radley Rail Station, about 2.6 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Copenhagen Drive Flyover (outside), 80 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Larkmead 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 147 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Oxfordshire (52), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Larkmead School issued 178 suspensions, 18.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Larkmead School are Carswell Community Primary School (0.6 miles); St Nicolas Church of England Primary School, Abingdon (0.7 miles); Caldecott Primary School (0.9 miles); and Dunmore Primary School (0.9 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.