Matthew Arnold School is a secondary school in Oxford, 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.
Matthew Arnold School currently has around 1250 pupils on roll, which is about 102% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 50.6% boys and 49.4% girls. Around 11.9% 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 9.1%. Persistent absence is recorded at 25%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (55.8%). other white pupils make up about 11.3%
Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 95% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (88%) , including 58% who stay in school sixth forms and 28% progressing to further education , while 4% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Arnolds Way, Oxford, OX2 9JE |
| Website: | http://www.maschool.org.uk |
| Telephone: | 01865862232 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Oxfordshire |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Anthony Broadley |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 142104 |
Ofsted inspection date: 10/06/2025
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1220 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1250 |
| Number of Boys: | 632 |
| Number of Girls: | 618 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 9.1% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 25% | 8.2% |
| White British | 55.80% | 697 |
| Other White | 11.30% | 141 |
| White and Asian | 4.90% | 61 |
| Other Mixed | 4.00% | 50 |
| African | 3.80% | 48 |
| Pakistani | 3.50% | 44 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 2.60% | 33 |
| Other Asian | 2.60% | 32 |
| Chinese | 2.00% | 25 |
| White and Black African | 2.00% | 25 |
| Indian | 1.50% | 19 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 1.50% | 19 |
| Bangladeshi | 1.40% | 17 |
| Unclassified | 1.00% | 13 |
| Other Black | 0.80% | 10 |
| Irish | 0.70% | 9 |
| Caribbean | 0.60% | 7 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elms Road Nursery School and Daycare Elms Road , Botley OX2 9JZ | - not rated | 1,277 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Grandpont Nursery School Whitehouse Road , OX1 4QH | 3out of 4 | 3,231 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Hinksey Church of England Primary School North Hinksey Lane , Botley OX2 0LZ | 3out of 4 | 1,333 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| North Hinksey Church of England Primary School North Hinksey Lane , Botley OX2 0LZ | - not rated | 1,333 yd | Voluntary controlled school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Botley School Elms Road , Botley OX2 9JZ | 2out of 4 | 1,347 yd | Academy sponsor led | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Botley School Elms Road , Botley OX2 9JZ | - not rated | 1,347 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| West Oxford Community Primary School Ferry Hinksey Road , OX2 0BY | 3out of 4 | 2,256 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Arnold School Arnolds Way , OX2 9JE | - not rated | 0 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Matthew Arnold School Arnolds Way , OX2 9JE | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford College of Further Education Oxpens Road , OX1 1SA | - not rated | 2,990 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Activate Learning Oxpens Road , OX1 1SA | - not rated | 2,990 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royale International School of Education Trajan House, Mill Street , OX2 0DJ | - not rated | 2,493 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bellerbys College Oxford Oxford Study Centre , Trajan House OX2 0DJ | - not rated | 2,526 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Cherwell College Oxford Osney Lane , (Off Mill Street) OX1 1BZ | - not rated | 2,667 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Carfax College 39-42 Hythe Bridge Street , OX1 2EP | - not rated | 3,047 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.