Banbury School

Infobox UK school
name = Banbury School


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latitude = 52.050263
longitude = -1.343858
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head_label = Headteacher
head = Dr Fiona Hammans Phd BSc NPQH
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specialist = Humanities College
street = Ruskin Road
city = Banbury
county = Oxfordshire
country = England
postcode = OX16 9HY
LEA = Oxfordshire
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enrollment =
gender = Coeducational
lower_age = 11
upper_age = 18
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website = http://www.banbury.oxon.sch.uk/
website_name = Banbury School Home page

Banbury School is a mixed, multi-heritage, fully comprehensive school with 1650 students (including sixth form.) situated on Ruskin Road, in the Easington ward of Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. The school is a specialist Humanities College.

Constituent schools

Banbury School used to be three separate schools. These were:

*Stanbridge Hall (the former grammar school)(for girls about 30 years ago)
*Wykham Hall (for boys)
*Broughton Hall (for girls)(for girls about 30 years ago)

Although these are all now part of the same school, the constituent buildings are still referred to by their old names.

Before the school's name was changed to Banbury Grammar School in 1946, it was called Banbury County School and was a mixed school for boys and girls from the ages of 11 to 18/19. It was founded in 1893. Wykham Hall was built in about 1953 and was called Easington Modern Boys' School.

Banbury and Drayton merger proposal

In April 2003, there was a proposal which suggested that Banbury School and Drayton School should be merged as one school, while Blessed George Napier School (which is situated next to Banbury School) would move to the site of Drayton School. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2904127.stm BBC NEWS | England | Protest over schools merger ] ] However, this idea met with opposition from a large percentage of the community because it would have meant an increase in travelling for those students who currently attend Drayton School. Many argued that it would mean a loss of parental choice and would mean that Banbury School, which has stood at the heart of Banbury's community for many years, would lose its identity. As a result, the merger will not take place. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/3651573.stm BBC NEWS | England | Oxfordshire | School may become 'city academy' ] ]

New Uniform

In September 2007 Banbury School changed the school uniform policy for all school students. The new policy now ensures that year 7-11 students all wear a blazer, shirt and tie, with a dress code for sixth formers and staff.fact|date = January 2008

New Building Programme

Recently Oxfordshire County Council have agreed to spend £6 million on a new two-storey, V-shaped building to replace the old Stanbridge building. The new building will include the English, Humanities, Languages, RE and Business departments. The 28 classrooms are expected to ready for teaching in January 2009.

Ofsted inspection

The February 2003 Ofsted review of the school. [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/123/123232.pdf] noted that: "Banbury School is much improved in recent years. Teaching is now good overall in the main school, and very good in the sixth form. The school is very well led, in a business-like and very effective, collegiate manner, one that empowers staff and enables them to flourish well and to pull together in the same direction. Pupils in the school, including a good number of pupils who might otherwise not succeed, consequently achieve well compared to their standards on entry to the school. The school, therefore, provides good value for the money it receives." However, it was noted that unauthorised absences continue to be a severe problem.

Banbury Area Sixth Form

As of 2003, the sixth from contained 335 students from around the Banbury area. It offers 26 A-Level courses as well as the option to resit Maths and English at GCSE.

The sixth from recently underwent extensive development, and it now contains a common room, study area and computer suite for use by all sixth formers, all built into one new wing.

The students play an active role in the way that the sixth form is run in the form of a student council, led by two principal students with two representatives from each tutor group. They organise social events such as the end of year prom and charity events, most recently the Children in Need appeal.

External links

* [http://www.banbury.oxon.sch.uk/ Banbury school website]

References