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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 137140

King Alfred's

Academy converter · Wantage · OX12 9BY

Ages 11–18 · 1,708 pupils · Oxfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

44.0

Overall absence

11.5%

Admissions demand

0.80 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-04-21

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingNeeds attention
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.02
−20+2
Attainment 844.0
English & maths grade 5+48%
English & maths grade 4+66%
EBacc entry25%

EBacc APS: 3.7

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence11.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)31.5%
Unauthorised4.4%
Authorised absence
7.2%
Severe absence (50%+)
6.6%
Enrolments in measure
1,449

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.80 · Often has places

1st preferences

278

Places offered

357

1st-preference offers

278

Total preferences (any rank)
478
Preferred offers (top 3)
353
Applications from outside LA
34
Offers to outside-LA applicants
19
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill77%

1,708 pupils · 2,205 places

Pupils on roll
1,708
Boys / girls
865 / 843
School capacity
2,205
Capacity fill
1,708 / 2,205 (77%)
Free school meals
18.8%
FSM pupils
270
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

3 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: CAMBRIAN LEARNING TRUST
Academy trust
CAMBRIAN LEARNING TRUST
Sponsor
Faringdon Academy of Schools
Headteacher
Mr Jonathan Smart

Location

Address
Portway
Postcode
OX12 9BY
Town
Wantage
County
Oxfordshire
Local authority
Oxfordshire
District
Vale of White Horse
Constituency
Didcot and Wantage
Urban/rural
Urban: Further from a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Wantage, Oxfordshire, 1,708 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, special school, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 18.8%.

Open schools in Wantage
14
Secondary schools in Wantage
1
Academies among open schools in Wantage
64% (9)
Open schools in OX12
15
Secondary in OX12
1
Open schools in Oxfordshire LA
371
Secondary in Oxfordshire LA
39

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in WantageNear OX12

  • Stockham Primary School

    Ofsted: Some aspects not as strong

    Community school · Primary

    Wantage · OX12 9HL · Oxfordshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS261%
    • Absence4.7%
    • FSM18.2%
    • Demand1.33

    0.5 miles away

  • Fitzwaryn School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy special converter

    Wantage · OX12 9ET · Oxfordshire

    Ages 3–19

    • KS20%
    • Absence10.1%
    • FSM35.4%

    0.6 miles away

  • Charlton Primary School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Wantage · OX12 7HG · Oxfordshire

    Ages 2–11

    • KS253%
    • Absence5.0%
    • FSM8.1%
    • Demand0.95

    0.9 miles away

  • St Nicholas CofE Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Wantage · OX12 9RY · Oxfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • KS250%
    • Absence4.4%
    • FSM20.3%
    • Demand1.36

    1.1 miles away

  • Wantage Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Free schools · Primary

    Wantage · OX12 7GQ · Oxfordshire

    Ages 2–11

    • Absence6.0%
    • FSM16.0%
    • Demand1.00

    1.3 miles away

  • St Johns CofE Academy

    Free schools · All-through

    Wantage · OX12 0GR · Oxfordshire

    Ages 2–16

    • FSM13.7%
    • Demand0.93

    1.6 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Jonathan Smart
Telephone
01235225700
Website
http://www.kaacademy.org

Official links