Orchard Fields Community School, Banbury

In its own words: "All members of our community have a right to feel safe and happy and are encouraged to care for, and respect others and their environment. We will consistently provide an environment where all members of our school community can work towards achieving their potential, sharing their skills, values and expertise across the curriculum."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Orchard Fields Community School and Nursery, is situated in Banbury, North Oxfordshire. We are a fully inclusive community school and we welcome children and families from a wide variety of backgrounds. There are children from 13 different ethnic backgrounds who speak over 39 languages."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.

In 2025, 96% of Year 6 pupils at Orchard Fields Community School reached the expected standard in reading and 91% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 75% in Oxfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (89% in reading, 93% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 40 families put Orchard Fields Community School as their first choice and 78 named it as one of their preferences, for 41 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 primary schools to Orchard Fields Community School are St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Banbury (0.2 miles, Requires improvement, 65% reading, 69% maths); Queensway School (0.4 miles, Good, 84% reading, 83% maths); William Morris Primary School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 71% reading, 75% maths); and Harriers Banbury Academy (0.7 miles, Good, 70% reading, 70% maths).

Orchard Fields Community School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

34 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Orchard Fields Community School (as of September 2025): 71% would recommend the school, 85% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (88%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

39.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 42.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (48%), Asian (17%) and Black (8%).

In 2026, 101 pupils (24.3%) received SEN support and 5 (1.2%) 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 a moderate learning difficulty.

The nearest railway station is Banbury Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Goulds Villas (opposite), 130 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Orchard Fields Community School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 286 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Oxfordshire (52), as is usual near a town centre.

Orchard Fields Community School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Orchard Fields Community School are Futures Institute Banbury (0.8 miles), Wykham Park (0.9 miles), North Oxfordshire Academy (1 mile) and Blessed George Napier Catholic School and Sixth Form (1 mile).