St Barnabus C of E Primary school Oxford reviews

[kwmom]

Hello -
My family and I are moving from the USA to Oxford and just found out that we were denied a place for our daughter (Year 1 -- so we had to do an in-year transfer, and couldn't apply for one until early June) in all of the schools we listed (for a September start). She's been offered a spot at St. Barnabus C of E primary school in Jericho. Does anyone have any experience with this school? Should I be concerned about its 2023 Ofsted report (as needs improvement)? Is it amenable to non-Christians (we are Jewish)? And finally, we asked to be put on waitlists for schools closer to our home (St. Ebbes is our catchment school). Does there tend to be much movement on waitlists?
Thanks so much!!!

Is she year one now? St Ebbes has a massive year 1 currently going into year 2 (couldnt hire the extra teacher needed to split the class) so it’ll be a while for a space to come up probably.worth the wait though.

No idea on St B I’m afraid. But there must be space closer to home. Where else did you apply?

Waitlists do move a lot.

She will be entering Year 1 in September. We also listed New Hinksey, West Oxford, and East Oxford.

Year 1 in September has a much, much better chance. There’s always a bit of movement over the summer. Do you know where you are on the wait list?

Have heard that it is improving but do note it has been undersubscribed in recent years. It has been running at about 50% capacity. In recent years, most North Oxford primary schools have had some space - was your first choice also in this area? There tends to be lots of movement and freeing up of spaces, so you would likely have options to move if you felt that the school wasn't working for you. But hopefully it will be a good school for you. Can't imagine any issues with religion.

Just saw this list - I guess you've picked schools at all points on the compass, perhaps to give yourself housing options. Either way, I would expect some capacity to be free in North Oxford schools if that's where you end up, but there are plenty of good schools elsewhere in the city. So you'll have options.

We will be right around the corner from St. Ebbes, which is our catchment school. The ones that I picked were the four closest to our house. I don't mind taking her up to North Oxford, but it would be easier if we had a good school closer to our home.

Do you have a bike you can take her on? Oxford morning traffic is horrendous.

My daughter attended St Barnabas School last year, but on her first day, she expressed a desire to change schools. When I inquired, she mentioned being bullied by some Year 5 boys, and the teachers did not intervene. Based on this experience, I do not recommend St Barnabas School.