Magdalen College School/ Oxford High GDST Sixth Forms

Molio yes I was being tongue in cheek back. 1805 is being impressively helpful though.
I would be having the same thoughts as you for this girl as a new joiner. I do get the impression though that a fresh face can be very welcome sometimes by an established year group particularly at sixth form. However I think the best chance of persuading her that this is an exciting start rather than a retrograde step away from her present social life would be the prospect of MCS (or just possibly somewhere with an international intake such as Headington).

Phil and Jim's (nn) is a highly sought after primary school in a posh area!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-47499695.html

Cheaper option.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-38663196.html

this is in a good, central Oxford area.

re where to live, Oxford is on the whole expensive. It will really depend on your budget as to where you can afford to live.

Summertown and Jerico v v v expensive, Headington and Marston cheaper, Wolvercote might suit, Kidlington cheaper too. Further out are Wheatley, Cumnor, Kennington…. Depends what type of location they want. Village or City? Don't go too far out though as getting in to Oxford in the mornings is terrible from all directions.

Is Headington School a consideration?

Sorry, reading in haste and missed that bit, send.

It was interesting that some of the leavers chose other girls schools this year--mainly because of the commuting issue (those living in Oxford find it much easier to get to Magdalen or OH), or wanting to go state (Didcot/Cherwell) or to go to schools with more vocational A level choices. Our Ladies is always popular, also in Abingdon. Very good pastoral care.

There are no affordable properties in Oxford, to be frank. It is ridiculously costly. We live 18 miles away and our smallish cottage is stupidly priced.

Molio unfortunately I have n't got an inside track on pretty affordable properties in and around Oxford. TBH if this girl is a last or only DC about to start a new sixth form in Oxford I would be tempted to rent fairly centrally so as to maximise the ease of her new social life and give time to properly get a feel of the areas and be on hand to visit new properties quickly.

Abraid I don't say the contrary. I said Obviously at OHS, Headington and SHKS the girls look at pastures new for the sixth form which basically entails looking around MCS due to attraction of co-ed. Many after visiting MCS decide to stay put though. There may be more at SHSKS than OHS who have the additional motivation of staying due to not wanting to increase their commute

Obviously at OHS, Headington and SHKS the girls look at pastures new for the sixth form

Most, at SHSK, do not. They stay put, on the whole. Those that left this year went to other girls schools, as well as to Magdalen.

Agree with all comments above. Obviously at OHS, Headington and SHKS the girls look at pastures new for the sixth form which basically entails looking around MCS due to attraction of co-ed. Many after visiting MCS decide to stay put though. I have not heard of systematic 'bitchiness' in any of the schools but just like bullying some year groups may have problem characters who have to be dealt with which I think those schools do fairly effectively. I am sure that is the same at her present school.
As far as I am concerned there are definite advantages to co-ed for girls in the sixth form however I am not convinced it is worth the extra money that MCS charges particularly for a girl who has already experienced co-ed. The academics at all these schools are basically similar taking into account the extra very selective intake at 16 for MCS.
Saying all that I suspect that the girl in question will be most drawn to MCS as it most similar to her present co-ed experience.

I think it is stereotyping to say that girls' schools are bitchy. Some girls have this tendency wherever they go to school! However, some boys are very dismissive of girls and girls can spend a lot of time trying to look their best for the boys! Laddish behaviour with the boys can also be a problem in some schools - the Rugby First XV comes to mind! Never mind the unflattering nick-names for the girls! It is a minefield and no school is perfect! Hope RLS web site is now working!

As for other schools, no we didn't really make any proper investigations.

Though that's not because there aren't good schools, but because we had particular familial priorities (DS at school in London, DH working in London etc).

iirc the ratio of boys:girls in sixth form is about 60:40.

But don't take that as gospel.

I haven't heard of OH being particularly bitchy. Obviously, all girls' schools have that dubious rep, especially at the more academic end. I sometimes wonder if it isn't just a reflection of inherent sexism; females are bitchy to one another, thus all-female environments are more bitchy?

I dunno.

But I've never heard of it being problematic in any event. And my agent kept sending his on after the other so they must have being doing something right.

It's a very sociable school, I think. Both for girls and parents (at least for those who like that sort of thing) which makes it pleasant for new comers.

I have colleagues with DC in both schools.

All happy enough ( no school perfect-especially for an academic). Clever parents, clever DC, not glitzy types.

My agent sent all his DDs to Oxford High too. Commission rates too steep if you ask me .

When DD decided she wanted to leave her secondary for sixth form, we considered both.

OH was a non starter as she wanted co-ed.

MCS looked good. But ultimately we went for school in London for personal reasons.

SHSK is very good academically and my daughter has enjoyed her years there. She does a lot of drama with Abingdon, which is fun, and has spent quite a lot of time hanging out with the boys there, so has had the best of both worlds.

This may be a contentious suggestion, but there is a state grammar school in Buckingham, The Royal Latin School, where children regularly go to Oxbridge. It is a highly successful school with a new science block. I would check with the school whether they would take pupils who live in Oxfordshire but living in, say, Marsh Gibbon would work. I know that is not Oxford but it would save on fees.

St. Helen and St. Katharine. A very good school indeed.