School Chooser

Futures Institute Banbury

Secondary · ages 14-18MixedStudio schools116 pupilsSixth formBanburyOxfordshire
School Chooser Score
19
Below
similar schools
Likely range 12 to 29
Out of 100. Better than 42% of the 50 schools most like it. Much the same over the last five years.
OfstedGoodConfirmed by Ofsted, December 2022
Strong pass in English and maths38%England 46%
Attendance92.6%England 91.4%
Pupils from low-income families26%About the same as most schools in England
Places184 spare116 pupils, 300 places
Pupils per teacher38.7School workforce census

Futures Institute Banbury is a studio schools in Banbury for boys and girls aged 14 to 18. It has 116 pupils and room for 300. About 26 in every 100 pupils come from a low-income family, about the same as most schools in England. We give it 19 out of 100. That puts it below schools like it, ahead of 42% of the 50 schools most like it. Ofsted's last grade was good, back in 2022.

Ruskin Road, Banbury, OX16 9HY01295 257942futuresbanbury.orgMrs Julia Ingham headteacherAll details

What Ofsted found

A shorter visit on 7 December 2022 found nothing to change the school's grade. Read the report on Ofsted's website.

Good overall. A shorter follow-up visit found nothing to change that. The last full inspection was before September 2019, which is as far back as Ofsted's public records go, so we can't show its date or the grades for each area.

Results

GCSE results, summer 2025

47 pupils sat their GCSEs. Here is how they did against every state secondary in England.

Average GCSE score41.1
England 46.8
Official name: Attainment 8
Strong pass in English and maths38%
England 46%
Official name: Grade 5+ in English and maths
Standard pass in English and maths64%
England 66%
Official name: Grade 4+ in English and maths
Progress from age 11-0.56In each subject, pupils here finished most of a grade behind children across England who started secondary school at the same level. (From 2023/24, the latest year there is. The government didn't work it out for the 2025 year group.)Official name: Progress 8
Trend
Average GCSE score
2018 to 2025
2018: 41.441.420182019: 50.250.220192022: 45.245.220222023: 37.737.720232024: 43.843.820242025: 41.141.12025
Since 2018: -0.3Steady overall
All GCSE measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018OxfordshireEngland
Pupils at the end of Year 11475449512925
Average GCSE scoreAttainment 841.143.837.745.250.241.445.446.8
Progress from age 11Progress 8-0.56-0.94-0.40+0.02-0.73
Strong pass in English and mathsGrade 5+ in English and maths38%41%29%49%52%32%47%46%
Standard pass in English and mathsGrade 4+ in English and maths64%59%43%73%66%60%65%66%
Core subjects scoreEBacc average point score3.353.863.314.064.483.834.054.15
Taking the core subjectsEBacc entry0%7%2%4%55%52%36%41%
Average GCSE score: low-income pupilsAttainment 8, disadvantaged26.027.317.244.743.1
Average GCSE score: other pupilsAttainment 8, non-disadvantaged49.648.544.445.452.9
Average GCSE score: pupils who started behindAttainment 8, low prior attainers22.438.4
Average GCSE score: pupils who started aheadAttainment 8, high prior attainers57.952.165.662.254.4

Subjects

Results came out for 9 GCSE subjects in 2025. Each figure is the share of pupils who got a grade 5 or better, next to the average for state secondaries in England.

Strongest subjects

Computer Science71%grades 9 to 5, England 56% · 474th of 1,861 schools

Subjects that did worse than the England average: Physics (51% here, 82% across England), Engineering (17% here, 46% across England), Chemistry (54% here, 81% across England), English Literature (37% here, 58% across England).

What is taught hereOffers triple science, computer science.
HumanitiesGeography29
PracticalEngineering24

The small number is how many pupils sat each subject. Subjects with fewer than six pupils aren't published.

Every subject against England, 2025
Mathematics46 entries · 18th of 40 in Oxfordshire
57%England 53%
English Language46 entries · 33rd of 40 in Oxfordshire
41%England 54%
Chemistry43 entries · 33rd of 37 in Oxfordshire
54%England 81%
Biology43 entries · 30th of 37 in Oxfordshire
63%England 82%
Physics43 entries · 32nd of 37 in Oxfordshire
51%England 82%
English Literature43 entries · 36th of 40 in Oxfordshire
37%England 58%
Geography29 entries · 19th of 39 in Oxfordshire
55%England 51%
Computer Science28 entries · 8th of 26 in Oxfordshire
71%England 56%
Engineering24 entries · 1st of 1 in Oxfordshire
17%England 46%
SubjectEntriesGrades 9 to 7Grades 9 to 5Grades 9 to 4England 9 to 5Rank in England
Mathematics4620%57%67%53%1,161 of 3,211
English Language469%41%65%54%2,466 of 3,210
Chemistry437%54%65%81%2,289 of 2,537
Biology4314%63%67%82%2,187 of 2,570
Physics439%51%63%82%2,354 of 2,546
English Literature4314%37%65%58%2,831 of 3,202
Geography2921%55%76%51%1,064 of 3,116
Computer Science2821%71%86%56%474 of 1,861
Engineering248%17%25%46%41 of 51

In combined science each pupil gets two grades and we count the lower one. Rankings only include state secondaries where 20 or more pupils sat the subject.

A level and sixth-form results, 2025

9 students finished sixth-form courses.

Average A level gradeB-37.9 points per entry
A level progress+0.35Against students elsewhere with the same GCSE grades. 0 is average.
AAB or better33%with two subjects universities favour
Stayed and finished100%of students who started
All sixth-form measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018
Students9191653140
Average A level points per entryA level APS per entry37.8627.1115.7722.6129.08
Average A level gradeB-C-D-D+C
Best three A levelsBest 3 A levels APS37.7828.4617.7821.6730.91
AAB or better in subjects universities likeAAB+ in two facilitating subjects33%8%0%10%9%
A level progressA level value added+0.35-0.07-0.16+0.14
Stayed and finishedRetained and assessed100%88%100%81%55%

A level subjects

2 A level subjects had results in 2025. Each figure is the share of students who got an A* to B, next to the average for state sixth forms in England. When only a handful of students take a subject, its figures jump around from year to year.

A levels taught hereThe small number is how many students sat each one in 2025.
SubjectsMathematics8Physics5
Every A level subject against England, 2025
Mathematics8 entries · 50% A* or A · 100% passed
75%England 60%
Physics5 entries · 0% A* or A · 0% passed
0%England 51%

A levels only. BTECs, T levels and other courses are in the table above. Subjects with fewer than five students aren't published.

Does every child do well here?

A good school does well by every child, not just on average. Each row compares two groups of pupils here. The grey marks show the same two groups across England. None of the gaps is smaller than the gap across England. When a group has fewer than about ten pupils, its figures jump around a lot from year to year.

At GCSE, 2025

Average GCSE scoreLow-income pupils vs other pupils
26.049.6
Gap 23.6England 12.2
Strong pass in English and mathsLow-income pupils vs other pupils
24%47%
Gap 23 ptsEngland 22 pts
Average GCSE scoreBoys vs girls
42.237.2
Gap 5.0England 3.0
First groupSecond groupEngland, each group

Low-income means the child has had free school meals at some point in the last six years. A group's figure isn't published when it has fewer than six pupils.

Getting a place

Open to all. There is no entrance test.

Plenty of spare places119 pupils for 302 places, 2024/25
39% full

183 places were empty (61% of the total), so almost everyone who applies gets in. Pupil numbers have fallen by 6% since 2021/22, so places are getting easier to find.

Will my child get a place?

In 2023 every child who applied got a place, so how far away you live didn't matter. That could change if the school gets more popular.

We measure in a straight line from the middle of your postcode to the school. The council measures its own way, and the cut-off changes every year. Use this as a rough guide, and read the council's admissions booklet before you apply.

How places were given out for September 2023. Every child who applied got a place.

EntryPlacesPut it firstApplied at allGot a placeFirst choices who got inHow far the last child livedSource
2023 Secondaryall offeredLA
2020 Secondary75181818100%all offeredLA
2019 Secondary75101010100%all offeredLA
2018 Secondary75121412100%all offeredLA
2017 Secondary75161816100%all offeredLA
2016 Secondary75273027100%all offeredLA

Who goes here

Who a school teaches matters. That is why our score compares it with schools that take in a similar mix of children, not with every school in the country.

Pupils on roll116Census January 2026
Places30039% full
Pupils from low-income families21%26% have had free school meals at some point in the last six years
Pupils learning English22%First language is not English
Pupils getting extra support22%25 pupils with SEN support
Pupils with an EHC plan2%2 pupils with a plan
Average class size12.88 classes, January 2026; England 22.8
Classes with more than 30 pupils0%share of one-teacher classes; England 12%
Pupils with extra funding (pupil premium)25%£24,200 extra funding in 2026/27; England 30%
Boys and girls94 / 22
White British pupils56%

The most common needs among pupils getting extra support: emotional and mental health (12), Autistic spectrum disorder (5), Moderate learning difficulty (3), Other difficulty or disability (3), Hearing impairment (1), Physical disability (1).

How the mix of pupils has changed
Census202620252024202320222021
Pupils on roll116121122141120113
Pupils from low-income familiesFree school meals21%25%24%19%19%16%
Pupils learning EnglishEnglish as an additional language22%21%22%26%24%20%
Pupils getting extra supportSEN support25%21%17%18%23%
Pupils with an EHC planEducation, health and care plans3%2%0%1%0%

Attendance and behaviour

In 2024/25 pupils were in school 92.6% of the time. Across similar schools in England it was 91.4%.

Attendance92.6%
England 91.4%
Official name: 100 minus overall absence
Pupils missing a lot of school22.5%
England 23.9%
Official name: Persistent absence
Suspensions per 100 pupils13.22024/25, no permanent exclusions
Missed without permission2.7%of school time, 2024/25
Attendance year by year
Measure2024/252023/242022/232021/222020/212018/19England
Sessions missedOverall absence7.4%11.5%11.3%10.5%5.5%6.2%8.6%
Missed with permissionAuthorised absence4.7%6.8%9.0%6.7%3.6%3.1%
Missed without permissionUnauthorised absence2.7%4.7%2.3%3.8%1.8%3.1%
Pupils missing a lot of schoolPersistent absence22.5%29.3%32.1%31.4%15.3%17.8%23.9%
SuspensionsSuspension rate13.217.220.611.78.0
Permanent exclusionsPermanent exclusions00000

What pupils do next

After GCSEs

Where the 49 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training78%and stayed there for at least six months

Among pupils from low-income families it was 67%, compared with 81% for everyone else.

Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training78%90%98%100%
Education78%86%96%100%
Apprenticeship0%2%2%0%
Work0%2%0%0%
Not in education, work or training12%8%2%0%

After sixth form

Where the 15 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training100%and stayed there for at least six months

Where the ones heading for university went (2021/22 leavers)

Went on to degree-level study or training75%England 75%
Top-third universities17%England 28%. The universities that ask for the highest grades
Higher or degree apprenticeship0%England 6%
Higher technical course0%Level 4 or 5, such as an HNC or HND
Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training100%100%
Education60%64%
Apprenticeship7%0%7%0%
Work33%29%
Not in education, work or training0%0%

Staff and money

From the government's count of school staff in November 2025 and the school's published accounts.

Teachers3.0full-time equivalent, 3 people
Pupils per teacher38.7Pupils for every full-time teacher
Fully qualified teachers100%hold qualified teacher status
Teaching assistants0.8full-time equivalent
Average teacher pay£74,243
Teachers who left in the year0%2024/25, for any reason including retirement
Vacancies0
Sick days per teacher5.52023/24

Money

From the academy accounts return, year to August 2025. The per-pupil figures are compared with other secondary schools in England that report their accounts the same way.

Spend per pupil£4,388England £7,965. Total £531k
Income per pupil£8,926England £8,423. Total £1.1m
Spent on teachers per pupil£2,636England £4,444
Money in reserve-1%In the red: -£6,099, -£50 per pupil. England 10%
Money in against money out+£549kit took in more than it spent this year
Where the money goes£4,388spent per pupil

Reserves are the money left over at the end of the year, kept back for emergencies and big projects. Being in the red year after year is a warning sign. Very large reserves can mean money sitting in the bank instead of being spent on today's pupils. Academy figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000 and include a share of any money the trust holds centrally.

The area around the school

Crimes within 500 m15412 months to June 2026, mostly violence and sexual offences
Local crime rate87 per 1,000 peopleabout the England average
Typical house price£355,000Cherwell
Nearest bus stop100 mHorton View, 12 stops within 500 m

Crime figures come from police.uk. The police record each crime at the nearest of a fixed set of map points rather than the exact spot, so “within 500 m” is only rough. House prices are from HM Land Registry sales nearby over the last two years.

Nearby schools

The closest secondary schools, nearest first. Hover over a row to see it on the map.

Well aboveAboveIn lineBelowWell belowNot scored
SchoolTypeDistancePupilsOfstedScore
Wykham ParkAcademy80 m800Good 202314Compare
Blessed George Napier Catholic School and Sixth FormAcademy290 m943Good 202266Compare
North Oxfordshire AcademyAcademy1.8 miles1,004Good 202266Compare
The Warriner SchoolAcademy1.9 miles1,553Good 202337Compare
Chenderit SchoolAcademy3.7 miles1,104Good 202266Compare

Compared with schools like it

Our score compares Futures Institute Banbury with the 36 schools in England whose pupils are most like its own. We match on family income, how many children are learning English, special needs, the neighbourhood, the size of the school and how it admits pupils. Those 36 schools are dotted all over the country, so we don't list them. What matters is where this school sits among them.

Beats42%of schools with a similar mix of pupils
In the lower half of its group. Its score of 19 is 9 points below the typical school in the group.
0Lowest of the group 1 · middle 28 · highest 80100

How the score was worked out

The score is out of 100. A 19 means that once everything below is added up, this school comes out ahead of 19% of secondary schools in England. Results bounce around from year to year, especially in small schools, so we also show a likely range: 12 to 29. Every part is judged against schools with a similar mix of pupils. For small schools we pull each part towards the group average, so one unusual year can't swing the score too far.

What we looked atHow much it countsAgainst schools like itEffect on the scoreBased on
Results over three years20%below
-0.12
2025, 2024 and 2023 results; 47 pupils
Ofsted inspection18% (normally 20%, cut because the inspection is old)in line
+0.02
Ofsted grade, 3.8 years old
Progress pupils make20%well below
-0.23
DfE progress measure; 47 pupils
Direction of travel over five years10%in line
-0.01
results and attendance falling year on year
Attendance and behaviour10%in line
+0.02
2024/25; 98 pupils
Results, allowing for the mix of pupils10%well below
-0.19
Attainment relative to schools with a similar intake; 47 pupils
What pupils do next5%well below
-0.07
49 pupils
What parents say0%no data

Worked out on 13 September 2026 (method v1). Read how the score works, including every weight and the checks we run. Think a number is wrong? Tell us.

Questions parents ask

Is Futures Institute Banbury a good school?

The figures are weak. Futures Institute Banbury scores 19 out of 100. That is below schools that take in a similar mix of pupils, and ahead of 42% of the 50 schools most like it in England. The score could fairly be anywhere from 12 to 29, so a few points either way between schools doesn't mean much.

What is Futures Institute Banbury's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Futures Institute Banbury good at its last full inspection on 7 December 2022.

How good are Futures Institute Banbury's GCSE results?

In summer 2025, 38% of pupils got a grade 5 or better in both English and maths. Across England it was 46%. Its Attainment 8 score, which is the average grade across a pupil's best eight subjects times ten, was 41.1, against 46.8 for England. In each subject, pupils here finished most of a grade behind children across England who started secondary school at the same level.

How many pupils does Futures Institute Banbury have?

116 pupils aged 14 to 18 were on the roll in January 2026. It has 300 places, so it is 39% full.

Is Futures Institute Banbury oversubscribed?

Probably not. 183 places were empty in 2024/25 (61% of the total), so most families who apply get a place.

What is attendance like at Futures Institute Banbury?

Pupils were in school 92.6% of the time in 2024/25. Similar schools in England managed 91.4%. 22% of pupils missed at least a tenth of the year.

How big are the classes at Futures Institute Banbury?

The average class had 12.8 pupils in January 2026. Across England it was 22.8. No class had more than 30 pupils.

Does Futures Institute Banbury have a sixth form?

Yes. The average A level grade in 2025 was B-. 2 A level subjects had results in 2025; the full list is in the results section.

These answers come straight from the figures on this page and update when new data comes out.

Contact and details

Address
Ruskin Road, Banbury, OX16 9HY
Telephone
01295 257942
Website
www.futuresbanbury.org
Headteacher
Mrs Julia Ingham
Type of school
Studio schools (Studio schools, free schools)
Phase
Secondary school, ages 14-18, with sixth form
Gender
Mixed
Multi-academy trust
Aspirations Academies Trust (16 schools)
Local authority
Oxfordshire
Ward
Banbury Calthorpe and Easington
Constituency
Banbury
Setting
Urban: Further from a major town or city
Opened
1 September 2014 (new provision)
URN
140886 · LAESTAB 9314006 · UKPRN 10047095

Recent changes

  • New KS4 results for 2024/25

Where these figures come from