Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

South Oxfordshire secondaries

36 replies

mzdemeanour · 22/02/2014 10:45

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

OP posts:
dellon · 23/02/2014 10:12

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.

Original poster
mzdemeanour · 23/02/2014 08:33

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.

OP posts:
Alad · 23/02/2014 00:13

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

LisasCat · 22/02/2014 23:54

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.

1805 · 22/02/2014 23:45

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.

1805 · 22/02/2014 23:42

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 Grin

Original poster
mzdemeanour · 22/02/2014 20:06

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?

OP posts:
1805 · 22/02/2014 19:32

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.

MillyMollyMama · 22/02/2014 18:15

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.

Original poster
mzdemeanour · 22/02/2014 17:10

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

OP posts:
AtiaoftheJulii · 22/02/2014 14:59

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!