Advise please - Oxford Girls schools - honest opinions

Oh yes I’d forgotten they had announced that. Hmmm.

Wychwood only recently became co-ed right?

No not everybody does but I would again take their advice and find an insurance. Maybe d’Overbroek’s which I really rate and has excellent value-add but is co-Ed, or wychwood which is small and nurturing?

@Delphigirl thanks so much for your reply. Makes a lot of sense and compartmentalises things. Chandlings is happy for us applying to both schools - however they said we’ll need 3rd school as a back up. Does everybody choose 3 schools? We are looking at single sex ones - not considering OHS.

Hi @Strictlymum3 - take Chandlings’ advice. Mine were at Chandlings. DD1 they said “she’s not right for Shsk, will not get in, try Headington”. Had specific LDs and her maths was weak. She did go to Headington and did well there but in the bottom third of the cohort. With hindsight there wasn’t a chance of her getting into Shsk so I’m glad we didn’t put her through that stress. DD2 a different kettle of fish, highly organised motivated and achieving. She decided she wanted to go to SHSK at year 5 so she sat and got in. We told Chandlings afterwards. But other Chandlings friends of hers tried and didn’t get in at year 5, but did get in at year 7. 2 reasons - they needed the additional maturity and preparation time, and the yr 7 cohort is much bigger. At year 5 there is a tiny cohort and they guarantee them a place at yr 7 without testing again, so they are looking for the obviously capable ones. At year 7 they can take a broader intake and also risk a few more borderline cases.

So if you like SHSK and think she would be happy there, and Chandlings say it is worth a go, give it a go again at year 7. If Chandlings are steering you elsewhere, listen to them.

Hello,
It was really useful to read all the above. We are in this predicament now: DD is in Y5 in Chandlings and we are considering our options. We tried to get into SHSK in Y5 but were rejected - wonder if there is a chance to get in Y7. Has anyone been in similar position?
To be honest I must say we were just putting our finger in the air then - no preparation went in (we were moving house and thought it could work out better logistically).
DD is smart but drifts off (I wonder if that what happened at the assessment) - she is very arty and sporty though, loves music and drama too. Potentially going for Art Scholarship (maybe sport one).
I love that SHSK is fantastic at sports and the rest too!
Would appreciate the input.

In that case it’s perfect, there are many families who have siblings in both the schools

True, but DS is looking at Abingdon and there’s a school bus nearby with similar pick up/drop off times as the Oxford school bus. DS is looking at MCS and Abingdon (for next Sept), and we’re looking for DD’s school now for the following year in case it influences which school DS chooses. I’d love to have them at school in the same town (and bus) if possible. I feel DS would be fine at either, DD is more sensitive (and arty) so I don’t want to pick the ‘wrong’ school for her. Fees like a weighty decision but if we felt a particular girls’ school was ideal for her it would help DS choose between Oxford and Abingdon (if he got in)

Ahhh, auto correct SHSK!

Sham, is a lovely school, a long way from charlbury though!

Just looking at secondary schools. DS likes the look of Abingdon so we are considering SHSK for our DD. She is quiet and gentle, smart but not competitive, and loves art - do you think SHSK would be a good fit? How is your DD getting on there?

My daughter looked at SHSK and in the end she chose OLA for the small class size and small school. She’s been in a large school for 6 years and hated it. She can’t wait to start at Our Lady’s Abingdon in September for 6th form.

Hey. So glad you find the right fit for your daughter. Can I ask how you are finding your relocation and St Helen's for daughter. We are considering a move to Abingdon area...

Want to find a private school very locally though so my children can make local friends...TIA

@WhyAmIPayingFees
There are way more than twice as many cases of ED's in our local selective all girls than at the co'ed, so your argument doesn't wash in that particular case.
All girls environments often harbour ED's and self harm to a higher proportion than you would expect based on statistics. Not sure why. And of course co'eds come with their own issues.

Speaking from personal experience, OHS is not a caring school. Very academic but not a well-rounded education IMO. SHSK is the one I've heard most positive things about.

I'd be wary about anecdotes about eating disorders. These occur at a rate of a few % in the teenage female population so ANY large community of teenage girls is going to have girls with such issues. I think there would have to be proper evidence that school X had significantly larger cohort of problems than a school of a similar size before I'd pay much attention to it.

Hi @Delphigirl it’s interesting you say that about OHS (anxiety, eating disorders & unhappiness). I admit, we’d heard similar things of the school previously and decided to spend lots of timing talking to current parents and staff to get a better idea of whether these are outdated perceptions of the school or the current reality. We were so relieved to learn that it’s moved on from these preconceptions. And I do believe that they are really focused on being supportive and nurturing under the leadership of the new Head. It’s a shame that their bad reputation lingers in the community. We’ve had nothing but a positive experience at the school.

@uk2020 sorry that the above post didn’t tag you. I tried replying before and it didn’t post for some reason. Hope this reply isn’t too late!

Hi UK2020 I’m so sorry that I didn’t not see your message until now. I will answer your question in the hopes it’s still useful! Re: the transfer to OHS SS, you don’t have to ‘accept’ the offer per se, but rather you have to give a terms notice at any point if you want to leave the school (Prep or SS, the contract are the same). Course it’s courteous to let them know if you plan on sending your DD to the senior school but that’s up to you. I do believe that the school wants what’s best for all the girls and if you decide to look at other options for your daughter, they should be supportive. You won’t be the only one & it shouldn’t reflect badly on you or your daughter. And if you ultimately decide to stay at OHS, the school will of course be delighted. I hope that helps! Please don’t hesitate to ask any other questions you may have. I’ll do better at keeping an eye on this chat!

@Avanty sorry for delay. My DD has cut back a bit on the extra curricular and is being much pickier about what she does. So that’s her plan for keeping on top. As for work she has adopted a mode of doing what she has to do but not really putting herself out unless it’s something she is really interested in. So no late nights and no tutors. Part of me thinks she might be achieving less than she could but in the other hand she seems to have no stress. No risk of burn out!

Glad she has chosen - I came on to say that I have had a dd at Headington and currently have a dd at SHSK and both are good schools but SHSK is IMO really stellar. Supportive kind high achieving feminist.. perfect. Brilliant art and music. Fab results without any undue pressure unlike OHS which is rife with anxiety eating disorders and unhappiness. I’m sure she will do really well at SHSK.

[quote MsMackieB]@mumofthree22 — I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment that you need to decide on a school that is the right fit for your daughter and that your daughter should be the ultimate decision-maker. As you have been given a very negative review of Oxford High, I will share our experience which has been nothing like the one described by HCHP (which I’m sorry to hear that was their experience). Our daughters have had a well-rounded education in an encouraging, supportive and empowering environment, at both the prep and senior school (though now both at SS). Our girls are complete opposites, one loves maths & sciences while the other prefers english & languages. One is sporty though a bit shy & has taken some time for her to build her self-condolence, with a smaller group of friends. Daughter 2 loves her art & drama & has a wider circle of friends. They have both flourished at OHS. There is a lot on offer in terms of clubs & extra curricular activities. We always feel supported by the teachers & the girls always feel they are able to speak up — be it if they’re struggling, but also if they want to be brave & try something new. And the school really does embrace & celebrate everything the students do, not just in the classroom but outside as well. Sure, the school might not have the shiniest facilities but they have everything we could want in a school, both academically and other. Yes, it’s an academic school, they don’t shy away from that, they are proud of their results & proud of the accomplishments of their students. But I wouldn’t say that the wellbeing of the students suffer as result of academic pressure. They also have a new Headmistress who we had the pleasure of meeting recently and left the event (albeit virtual) feeling really positive. I get the sense she’s really passionate about education and about inspiring girls to find their own passions. She also talked about being inspired by the girls & that’s what I really love about the school, I do believe that everyone there cares deeply about the pupils. It’s a shame the reputation they have from long ago lingers. The perception of the school is nothing like the reality, in my opinion. My sister is re-locating to Oxfordshire due to a recent job change & has also been looking at schools for her daughter (going into year 9), OHS being one of them she’s had an offer to. I believe they’ve been invited for a tour now the restrictions are lifting. So if you’re still undecided, my suggestion would be to visit with your daughter before settling on a school. Best of luck to you![/quote]
May I know if your DD studied at both OHS prep and senior schools? I read its admissions policy which says an OHS senior school offer is usually given before Y5 finishes. Does it mean that if an OHS prep pupil takes the senior school offer, it will look bad if she continues to apply for other senior schools, then she may need to take days off while these senior schools will ask OHS prep school for reference?

That was to @EternalSuccess