Girls independent secondary schools, Oxfordshire

[Schoolinfo]

I was wondering if anyone could give me some up to date information.

We are looking at several schools for my daughter.

St. Helens and St Katharine's
Headington
Cokethrope
Leckford
Wychwood

I was just wondering if there was any new year 7 parents out there who could tell me how your daughter are settling at their new school and is it what you expected?

Thank you in advance for any replies.

Sorry, can't help, but the schools you listed are very different. What kind of school are you looking for? I know people at all your schools, and they are all very different kinds of people. I mean that I can't imagine the dc at Leckford, fitting in at St Helens.
Would you prefer a large school, or small school? Academic or not so academic? Lots of facilities or a more nurturing environment? Single sex, or co-ed?

Hi, thank you for replying.

I realise they are very different schools, that's the reason I am asking for feedback on them all. I haven't yet decided what kind of school I should be looking at for DD.

I have heard St Helens is very academic, but what about the pastoral care like to go along side it.
Headington is sporty, but what about everything else if your not sporty?
Wychwood is small, but the pastoral care is good, is this correct?

I just need an idea if what people say about the schools are true, from parents who's child is currently there. Is it what they expected?

Hope that helps explain why I am asking.

How old is your DD? Is she at school in the area already? How is she finding it?

Those schools are all way apart on every spectrum. Other than being in Oxfordshire it's hard to know what links them! You must have a feeling what you want as a parent? Do you want quite a conventional eduction or as you a bit more out there. Do you like the idea of small or would you prefer bigger?
M

Erroneous M there. Signified nothing other than that I can't type!

Hi Schoolinfo. I went to Headington school- a while ago I admit!- but still have family in Oxford and am aware of several of the schools you've mentioned. In general, headington is a good all round school whether you're daughter is sporty or not. Not as academic as St. Helens but not far behind. Cokethorpe is very different- it's quite well known for being good for kids with dyslexia and learning "challenges" but not the most academic school. I know someone who taught there until recently and that reputation still holds- though they have lovely grounds.
Hope that's of some help X

Hi,

Yr 5 at the moment, in private prep. Doing pretty average in all subject, so could pretty much go anywhere. Might be near the bottom in St. Helens, but could still go there.

I would prefer a small school, but DH would prefer large, that's why I am asking for information on both types.

Hope this helps!

The kids I know who got into StH&K are super bright, but maybe they're top of the class there.

Cokethorpe wouldn't be a good choice for a bright kid IME.

Lots of people very happy at Wychwood but I might have found it a bit claustrophobic at that age.

Leckford you have to really buy in to the philosophy.

schoolinfo - these schools are so totally different, in academic focus, extra-curricular provision, size, culture etc., that it is really difficult to help without knowing more about what your DD is like and needs, and what your aspirations for her are. I know you asked for experiences rather than advice, but the experiences we know of seem to be so dependent on fit that the advice has just got to be about checking the fit!

Our DD is a couple of years away from the decision, but we are looking at a similar list. We know families at SHSK and Cokethorpe who are very happy and have also seen some traffic from one to the other in both directions from families who were rather less happy before the move. The views are very strongly correlated with what the girl is like and her/parents' aspirations! Bear in mind the transport hell of the schools in Oxford. Where you live is a factor here as well.

Large schools, or more accurately, schools with a large number of girls, can often offer a wider range of subjects and extra-curricular choices for girls just coz they can resource it. Is your DD into sports (which types?) or music (what sort?) as that matters here as well.

YY to the travelling. Being outside of Oxford would be a distinct advantage IMO.