Our Lady's Abingdon - Opinions please

[busywalkingmum]

Hello
Looking for some thoughts please, as from what I can tell on the forum there seems to be mixed opinions on Our Lady’s in Abingdon. Currently looking at secondary options for DD. We have a couple of good states nearby – King Alfreds, Wantage and Didcot Girls, which I am keen on. I also have a younger DS so King Alfreds would work for him, but St Birinus in Didcot, not so sure about.

DD is very bright – top of class, but has a quiet side to her, and although we looked at St Helen’s, we felt it definitely wasn’t the right place for her. I am sure she would do well academically there, but we felt it just seemed a bit too pressured, and that we wouldn’t fit in as a family! Which leads me on to thinking about OLA for both DD and DS. Can anyone give me any thoughts on perhaps why it isn’t on many people’s radars? I imagine that with St Helen’s and Abingdon Boys, that the brightest and most competitive go for these, and OLA tends to attract slightly less academic types? I can see that their results aren’t amazing – seems that Didcot Girls’ actually beat them this year! Has anyone any positive or negative experiences at OLA that they could share? Am going to the open morning this weekend.
Do you think that we would be just as well with DGS or KAs?
Cokethorpe also a possibility but it’s quite a trek and makes for a very long day with school busses leaving at 5pm each day- not sure how we’d fit homework in?!

Thanks

[pablothefluff]

Hello, you've probably decided on a school by now but just thought I would add my experience.

My daughter has just started Cokethorpe last September joining at 11. She's a high achiever, having achieved the higher scores in all her SATS. She could have had her pick, but being so creative it seemed Cokethorpe was the best fit. Best decision we made! She bounces off to school each morning and has a passion for learning once more......... what I would say is go with your gut instinct, not just on hear say.

My daughter wouldn't have thrived in a hot house school at all. Cokethorpe have upped their game and results are as good, if not better than OLA now. The vast extra curricular activities have helped to keep my daughter engaged. The school is much much more than the beautiful grounds!

Just to reassure you, my daughter gets the bus to and from school and the longer day hasn't phased her at all. I was surprised by this, but at this age they just adapt.

Hope this helps!

[Thingsaintwhattheyusedtobe]

School is in a constant state of flux with massive staff turnover. Avoid.

[parentofcokethorpechildren]

Which school OLA or Cokethorpe? I am inclined to agree that both are suffering these days.

[Thingsaintwhattheyusedtobe]

OLA has had an almost complete turnover of staff since the new head arrived 2 years ago. Teachers are good but don’t stay long. Exam results weren’t great for 2023, especially A levels. Not surprised as half the teachers changed and kids were neglected. Senior leadership team now overhauled after senior staff seemed to go missing during first half of Michaelmas term 2023. No channels for discussion/dialogue with parents.
Probably ok up to GCSE. Pastoral stuff seems ok. Lots of emphasis on SEND.

[SunsetGirl]

Zombie thread, people...

[BernieV]

Would certainly avoid now. Has changed rapidly since the new regime arrived, and not for the better. Huge exodus of good staff a year ago, short lived ireplacements, something is clearly very wrong.