Suggestions for co-ed fee paying school in Oxford/Oxfordshire?

[kowloonmum]

My hubby and I have lived in Hong Kong for nearly 8 years. Our son's are 5 and 3 and we are planning to re-locate to Oxford in about 3 years. (I'd prefer sooner).

I'm really keen that they keep going to a co-ed school, at least for primary. I'd prefer to send them to a state school, but hubby thinks that fee paying school is the way to go. (He went to MCS. Initially on a chorister scholarship. Later academic.)

The boys names are on the waiting list for Dragon School and I will contact St. Hughes and Ferndale in Faringdon next week to see if I can get their names down there too. Can anyone suggest any other co-ed fee paying school in Oxford/Oxfordshire?

[soda1234]

Cokethorpe,near Witney (junior and senior schools, day only), St Andrew's, Pangbourne (actually think this may be in Berks), or Pinewood, west of Oxford, towards Swindon.
From personal experience, Ferndale and St.Hugh's are v different schools, the former is very small, with great teaching but limited facilities.The latter is larger (about 300 pupils) with great teaching and great facilities. Hope that helps

[soda1234]

Sorry, forgot to add Our Lady's,Abingdon, which is now co-ed from nursery to 6th form (it is a Catholic school, but has many non-Catholic students)

[Saracen]

What are your reasons for preferring state schools? Knowing that might help people suggest which private schools would be most suitable (if you're going to go along with your dh's preference).

[kowloonmum]

Cultural, ethnic and social diversity are my main reasons for preferring state schools.

I went to a low achieving state school. (Closed down after we sat GCSE's). With my own motivation and a few good teachers I still did well. My professional background has always been in the NHS and small grass roots charities. I feel that you pay your taxes for a reason...

[kowloonmum]

Forgot to add. We'd both prefer a less pressured, competitive environment.

[freshmint]

Nicest co-ed pre prep is Chandlings Manor - sister school to cothill and 2 miles outside oxford. A really terrific school with masses of grounds and friendly family atmosphere. Regularly gets scholarships to MCS, Abingdon, OxHigh without any discernible pressure on the kids etc. And no saturday school. Only goes up to 11 though.
St Hughs is not bad, but a bit of a hike from oxford. Good if you are in surrounding villages. up to 13.
Dragon obviously v good - but an enormous school and worth considering if you are happy with the size and also the mandatory saturday school. I wasn't but lots are.
Pinewood is a terrible school (well good at preprep, awful at prep level). Failed to get any girl into their first choice at 11+ last year.

I would have a look at the chandlings website if I were you. Good luck

[roadkillbunny]

I think most of the best co-ed schools have been mentioned but I really wouldn't underestimate the state option at primary in Oxfordshire, some of the best state primary schools in the country are Oxfordshire schools but it will depend where you want to live as they can be very over subscribed. I know several families who have taken their children out of independent schools (several from Dragon) to attend our village school which performs extremely well as well as being a warm friendly environment that the children want to be in, another top performing village school is Combe, it's always at the top of leuge tables and friends who have children there really love the school. In the city the one everyone wants is Phil and Jims but there are many other great state schools.

[toobusytothink]

Rye St Antony - girls school but co-ed from 3-8. Really lovely secondary school with fantastic head. Don't know much about the pre-prep department though.

Would not say Chandlings Manor was "less pressurised, competitive environment" from what I've heard! Although admit that is not first hand experience.

[freshmint]

I have first hand experience of Chandlings from reception to Y6 and a few other schools named on this thread! - it is very unpressured IMO. They teach extremely well during the day and go easy on the homework which I appreciate. Anyway look at various websites and v importantly IMO read the inspection reports - they give very accurate info I think.

Completely agree about state schools. Some v nice ones around that feed into either state or independent if that is what you want for senior.

[curtaincall]

Wolvercote Primary (state) in Oxford recently won an academic competition over about 19 schools in the south-east where a selected group of 4 children from about year 5 or 6 competed in 4 subjects in a day at St Edward's. They might have something on their websites. I'm friendly with the mother of one of those children who won and she said they were a bit scruffy compared to all the blazers and crisp, white ironed shirts of the prep schools so it was a great boost to his school and credit to the state system.

You'd have to move to within about 3 feet of the school though to get in.

[kowloonmum]

Thanks for all the swift responses. Had very positive responses from the registrars of the various schools I've contacted. That places do come up, eventually....

Curtaincall and roadkillbunny, I hear your re: the standard of primary state schools in Oxfordshire. We just have to see how the prices on the rental market are when we finally move back to 'blighty.

Cheers again, Kowloon Mum.

[freshmint]

There is lots of to-ing and fro-ing around oxford as people move in and out of the area for academic, work etc reasons so I wouldn't worry about places too much. They can usually find room for new people, especially if they have 2 or more kids (longer potential income stream).
Glad you had positive responses!