South Oxfordshire secondaries

[mzdemeanour]

Hi

I am likely to be moving to the South Oxfordshire area when my DTs finish primary school (currently in year 5).

While I would prefer state, I would consider independent if necessary. My son is fairly bright and likely to achieve level 5 comfortably in English and Maths if not level 6 while my daughter, though bright and articulate, has been struggling particularly with Maths.

At the moment, I am considering the Wallingford area and have looked at Wallingford School but where else is worth considering and has anyone got any recommendations/advice on schools that are worth thinking about? Or schools that are best avoided ...

I am really grateful for any help or advice you can offer.

MzD

[AtiaoftheJulii]

Have heard good things about Langtree, and The Downs (which is further west and in West Berkshire rather than South Oxfordshire, but still accessible depending on where you end up). That's as far as my knowledge goes!

[mzdemeanour]

Thanks for that. Will check them out. Anyone else got any opinions/knowledge of the area?

[MillyMollyMama]

I live fairly near and I know that children from that area can go to Lord William's School in Thame. You would need to check out the catchment area though. It is a very large school but popular. Alternatively you could look at independent schools in Oxford as the M40 opens these up as a possibility. You could opt to live in Bucks, just over the border, and try for a grammar school. Again you would need to look at catchment areas, but probably the ones in High Wycombe.

[1805]

What do you want from a school OP?
Do check out the catchment areas though, and how many (if any) get in from out of catchment area.
There are quite a few private schools to look at round there also, so it really depends what you want.

[mzdemeanour]

Thanks for suggestions. I suppose I want a school that does as well for lower achieving children/ offers support to pupils who are struggling as it does for high achievers. I think I would prefer co-ed as I like the idea of my kids going to same school but might change my mind on that one.

Not sure about Bucks tbh. Think it would be great for my DS who would probably get into a grammar but not sure if it would do my DD any favours as she would be unlikely to pass 11+ and I've heard that the non-grammars are not brilliant.

Already hating the whole secondary school transfer thing and not even really started yet

I've heard of Abingdon school but what other private options are there nearby? And would it not be a nightmare trying to do a school run into Oxford?

[1805]

Abingdon is an academically selective boys school -not in Oxford. The Oratory School is boys, Pangbourne College is co-ed, as is Bradfield College (13+). Cokethorpe over to the West of Oxford could be worth a look too. Cranford House is girls, as is The Abbey in Reading. I'm sure there's some more that have escaped my mind…..
Co ed preps in the area include St Andrews in Pangbourne, Our Lady's in Abingdon, Cokethorpe, St Hughs,….. again, I'm sure I've forgotten some.
hth. Lovely area to live in

[1805]

Actually, re reading your post above, I would advise looking at Cokethorpe. It is further away from Wallingford, but I've heard really good things, and it may suit both your dc.

[LisasCat]

If you live around Wallingford I would suggest only looking at Oxford schools if you're happy for your DCs to get the train in. All traffic routes are hellish.
We're in catchment for the grammars in Reading, but both single sex. As are the two secondaries in Didcot. Independent schools in the area tend to be single sex if high achieving, the co-eds are less academic (whatever their marketing literature may claim).
The Downs get great results but as a result keep catchment small.
If one is more academic than the other you may be better looking at different schools which are close. Abingdon's got lots of independents. So's Reading.
With the States, I'm not sure about Wallingford, doesn't inspire me with confidence right now but we've got 3 years before we have to make the decision, and a lot can happen in that time.

[Alad]

Lots of good private schools. Abingdon, Pangbourne etc and The Oratory which is supposed to be one of the best.

[mzdemeanour]

Lordy, lots to think about.
LisasCat, so would we have a chance of a Berkshire school if we moved to Wallingford? I hadn't thought about Berkshire as a possibility as I don't really know it that well. And I think you're right about schools in Oxford proper. I've driven from Watlington to London in the morning and seen the traffic going in the other direction ....
So would Abingdon be a better idea than Wallingford ... Or what other south Oxfordshire towns might be worth considering?
Again, thanks for suggestions.

[dellon]

If your DS is very bright and you are willing to look at private, then consider Magdalen College School, Oxford... highly selective and stellar A level/ Oxbridge results - has various bus routes to the school and boys come from Oxford, Abingdon and further afar.

[dellon]

Also one of the many school bus routes is from Wallingford to MCS, Oxford, so very feasible commute ...in fact, most boys travel in by bus.

[MillyMollyMama]

But if OP would find Bucks grammar selection daunting, then selection for Magdalen College would be rendering her panic struck!!!

[dellon]

i would hazard a guess the Bucks grammars take top 25% and likes of MCS, Oxford take top 5% if you were to compare?....again it depends on how academic you want to go for but OP asked about schools in South Oxfordshire and if looking at indies then MCS and likes of Abingdon are up there and commutes are do-able because of various school bus routes- no need to drop off in hellish Oxford traffic by car.

[cherrypiesally]

I know South Oxfordshire well as grew up there. Myself, DH and SIL all went to Langtree and we loved it,( many years ago). My niece and nephew start there next year and they can't wait. They also liked Wallingford but Langtree just won in the decision. There is also Gillotts in Henley and Chiltern Edge in Sonning Common bug I don't know much about them now. Didcot Girls is well thought of as well, my friend teaches there and says it is very popular.
Would you definitely live in Wallingford? Would Henley or Goring be an option? They both have train stations and Goring is on the Reading -oxford line.

[mzdemeanour]

Thanks for all the advice so far and definitely some schools to think about. As I said up thread, my only concern re grammars/highly selective indies is that my DD is unlikely to get in although my DS would probably stand a good chance. As she already thinks she is stupid I don't want to compound her lack of self esteem by her ending up at what would be likely to be seen as a 'less good' school than her brother iykwim.
I'm not set on Wallingford, has just been an early contender so happy to think of alternatives although property price will obviously play a part ...

[Blowtorch]

Your DS would easily get into the 'Big O' as the entrance test is only a formality, to stave off rapidly falling numbers, mostly due to the recent bad publicity.

But don't even go there. Despite all outward appearances and the explosion in the ranks of former staff and pupils now brave enough and willing to let the skinned cats out of the bag, bullying, fraud, corruption, cover ups, gagging clauses and pay offs continue as routine. Don't get me wrong. These are generally great kids and there are staff still in the school who continue to really care and try to do a great job by them. Sadly they are in the minority and if you knew what they all know, you wouldn't even consider it as an option.

Langtree is a super little school that does everything possible to ensure that all pupils meet their all-round potential. Children there are happy, confident, independent, adaptable, resilient and leave ready to face normal life. They demonstrably make far more success of higher education and future relationships than a neighbouring small contingent of cloistered, segregated, dependent, educationally spoon-fed boys, growing up away from their parents, in morally uncertain circumstances, on 400 acres of lawn.

[YoniMatopoeia]

Icknield in watlington is a fab school. It is a fairly small state school, with a lovely ethos and feel. My eldest goes there.

[mulv2222]

State wise then I believe that Faringdon is the highest achieving in Oxfordshire.

[Fastcarsandsoftcats]

If your son is very bright perhaps consider entering him for 11+ exams for a grammar school place and look at a good independent for your daughter? That way she'll still perceive herself and her education, as of value.

[roguedad]

The last time I checked there weren't too many Grammar Schools in Oxfordshire! The indie schools you have had suggested to you are VERY different in character and priorities amongst themselves, and you need to have a look round, check out the available GCSE options, and make sure you are able to see both some example timetables and staff resourcing in various subjects to get an idea of the schools' real priorities in relation to your kids' needs. If you go indie you should also pay attention to how much sport is required and if that actually suits your kids - you did not say what extra-curricular things they liked? Some indies are obsessed with sport, others regard it as just one of the extra-c things that kids can do. For boys, some are obsessed with thugby and others give more choice.

[LaVolcan]

I didn't think there were any grammar schools in Oxfordshire. OP would have to live near the Bucks border for that.

[Fastcarsandsoftcats]

Reading Grammar is accessible from South Oxfordshire by public transport or by car.

[mzdemeanour]

Hi all

Resurrecting this thread as hoping for a bit more advice, for which thanks in advance.

We are definitely moving to Thame and my DTs sat the Bucks 11+ last week though god only knows how they did ...
Just wondering what to put on the application form as only have 3 choices in Oxfordshire .... Lord Williams obviously and possibly a Bucks grammar if they pass but wondering what to put for second/third choice as nothing stands out as being hugely close so just wondering what other parents put ....

Also if anyone can recommend a private not- terribly academic secondary ... Or at least one that doesn't have a hugely difficult entrance exam but does have excellent pastoral care/support for less achieving children I would love to hear about it ....

[roguedad]

I'd follow 1805 advice and look at Cokethorpe - it's their open day this month. It's a bit to the West, but I know their bus goes to Wheatley right now, and it might suit your DD. It is exceptional on the pastoral front and has a lovely location. You really would get better advice if you said what your kids like in the extra curricular area, as that makes a massive difference to what folk might recommend, especially in the private sector, where there is huge differentiation in XC emphasis.