North Oxfordshire - Banbury and area, schools for yr6 and yr8 moving from Canada

[EKool]

We are moving to Banbury in mid-August from Canada. This has been a quick decision and so we are scrambling for schools now. My DD will be Yr8 (April 2006 DOB) and DS is Yr6 (Oct 2007 DOB). They are both pretty academic, very sporty and pretty easy-going. We have done a mix of independent and state schools in the past (Australia and Canada). We would prefer state but don't have anything to go by except OFSTED reports and websites so can't begin to guess which ones are best to put on our preferences list (they would be in-year transfers according to council). Any advice is welcome. I will be working full-time from home and DH will be commuting some days to London and some others to Birmingham (hence the Banbury location). They are used to either busing (including public transit), me driving or even cycling if close enough and will likely have after-school sports (Basketball, Football and Gymnastics) not necc. in close proximity. DD is going to be trying for a football academy training and so would DS within the next year or so. Thanks in advance! Any input is lovely and no offence taken so please be honest.

I think you would find independent schools more flexible regarding your future plans if an affordable option.
Warwick School (boys) and Kings High (girls), are academic and sporty. The schools share much of their location.The school buses run from Banbury but I would suggest choosing to live Warwick side of town.
Warwick Parkway is not bad for the London commute btw as well as being handy for Birmingham if you are not committed to Banbury.
Of course, places at the Grammer Schools in Stratford are much in demand but it is harder to win a place if you reside in Banbury.
According to the word on my street , and our DC are a few years older than yours,the best state option would be the Warriner School in Bloxham. Any of the state primaries round Bloxham are good for your son in year six in my opinion.
Good luck.