King Alfred’s Academy in Wantage is one of the largest schools in Oxfordshire, accommodating nearly 1,800 students. The school operates on two sites: the west site for year 7 and 8 students is situated on Challow Road, while the central site for years 9 to 13 is on Portway.
Jonathan Smart, who has been a part of King Alfred’s for 24 years and assumed the role of headteacher in 2023, has the task of maintaining high standards amidst a rise in student numbers. “Last September,” he explained, “we had a notably large year 7 intake due to the delay in opening St John’s Academy.” This adjustment required accommodation at King Alfred’s, demonstrating a commitment to the community. “We had space for them,” he said, “but ideally, a dual year group of 360 on the west site makes it quite full.”
The headteacher noted that the optimal figure hovers around 260, expressing satisfaction with the opening of St John’s Academy, which was spearheaded by a former King Alfred’s leader. The school now hosts a year 7 cohort sized to the school’s design capacity. “It’s been really lovely,” added Mr. Smart, acknowledging the positive start of the new group.
Concerns do arise about infrastructure with the ongoing development of nearby housing estates, such as Kingsgrove and Grove Airfield, projected to add 1,500 and 2,500 homes, respectively. “They’re building more houses,” Mr. Smart remarked, underscoring the challenges of future planning without complete foresight.
In response to future demands, the academy is planning a new £0.5 million drama block, which Mr. Smart finds “really exciting.” The school has also seen an increase in students from private schools seeking to enroll in its 6th Form, attributed to the introduction of a 20% VAT on private school fees and other economic factors.
The closures of some private institutions, including Our Lady’s Abingdon, reflect this shift. In light of these developments, Mr. Smart is confident in the academy’s capacity to manage a moderate increase in student numbers but acknowledges that accommodating significantly more would pose a challenge.
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