Larkmead School is a secondary school in Abingdon, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
Larkmead School currently has around 940 pupils on roll, which is about 89% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 46.2% boys and 53.8% girls. Around 20.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The school has a diverse intake across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 10.9%. Persistent absence is recorded at 29.8%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (75.7%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 90% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (78%) , including 43% who stay in school sixth forms and 34% progressing to further education , while 8% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Faringdon Road, Abingdon, OX14 1RF |
| Website: | www.larkmead-school.com |
| Telephone: | 01235520141 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Oxfordshire |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Jonathan Dennett |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 143890 |
Ofsted inspection date: 03/02/2015
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1060 |
| Number of Pupils: | 940 |
| Number of Boys: | 434 |
| Number of Girls: | 506 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 10.9% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 29.8% | 8.2% |
| White British | 75.70% | 712 |
| Other White | 5.50% | 52 |
| Other Asian | 3.70% | 35 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 2.30% | 22 |
| African | 2.30% | 22 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 1.80% | 17 |
| Other Mixed | 1.40% | 13 |
| White and Black African | 1.40% | 13 |
| Indian | 1.30% | 12 |
| White and Asian | 1.20% | 11 |
| Caribbean | 1.00% | 9 |
| Other Black | 0.90% | 8 |
| Unclassified | 0.60% | 6 |
| Chinese | 0.40% | 4 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.20% | 2 |
| Irish | 0.10% | 1 |
| Pakistani | 0.10% | 1 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.00% | 0 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carswell Community Primary School Bostock Road , OX14 1DP | 3out of 4 | 1,104 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Nicolas Church of England Primary School, Abingdon Boxhill Walk , OX14 1HB | 3out of 4 | 1,219 yd | Voluntary controlled school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Dunmore Junior School Northcourt Road , OX14 1NR | - not rated | 1,488 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Dunmore Infants' School Northcourt Road , OX14 1NR | - not rated | 1,488 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Caldecott County Infant School Caldecott Road , OX14 5HD | - not rated | 1,554 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larkmead School Faringdon Road , OX14 1RF | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Larkmead School Faringdon Road , OX14 1RF | 3out of 4 | 0 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| John Mason School Wootton Road , OX14 1JB | 3out of 4 | 913 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| John Mason School Wootton Road , OX14 1JB | - not rated | 913 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Fitzharrys School Northcourt Road , OX14 1NP | 3out of 4 | 1,365 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abingdon and Witney College Wootton Road , OX14 1GG | - not rated | 1,112 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Manor Preparatory School Faringdon Road , Shippon OX13 6LN | - not rated | 239 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Helen and St Katharine Faringdon Road , OX14 1BE | - not rated | 298 yd | Other independent school | No | Girls | More About School |
| The Unicorn School 20 Marcham Road , OX14 1AA | - not rated | 903 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Orchard Pupil Referral Unit Faringdon Road , OX14 1BH | - not rated | 978 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Abingdon School Park Road , OX14 1DE | - not rated | 1,028 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.