Oxfordshire prep schools for girls - any recommendations?

[sausagedog1044]

Hi, Does anyone have any Oxfordshire/Berkshire school recommendations? I'm searching for a good all-round prep school with great pastoral care in or around Oxford (Co-ed or girls both fine).
I'd like to move my dance-obsessed, mildly dsylexic daughter for year 6 (average academically). I was hoping to find a school that goes to 13+, but end of primary also fine.
Does anyone have any thoughts about Rye St Antony since the new head started?
Thanks in advance

Reading dance-obsessed made me think Headington. I am considering moving my daughter to Headington for similar reasons. We've visited Headington twice and both times we've all loved the school and the people. Of all the schools I have had to deal with in all my years, I can hand on heart say the Headington staff are the best I've met/interacted with - whether it's on the phone or email or visiting the school.
Most of their girls go onto the senior school but a few leave for other schools. If you are looking for boarding, there's no boarding until Year 7 which is what has hindered us thus far.

Thanks v much for this. I'll go take a look. I hadn't considered it so far, as had the impression it is fairly academically selective and the senior school can be a bit of pressure pot. Having said that I know a number of bright girls at the senior school who are thriving.

There's loads of schools in that area!

I'd probably go and look at Cranford House.

Headington would be my first choice. If you want a prep I'd try st. Hugh's - they go to 13. The parents are a bit erm odd but it's a nice school.

Headington is where i would choose if I had a dd (have boys). I know about a dozen families who are very happy there, quite variation in ability/personality/approach between the girls and families. prep and senior. They are not uber selective. Everyone we know that has wanted to go seems to get in.

Oxford high won't be suitable - very hothouse like. Two of the families above moved from the high to headington as their dd wasn't happy. Good for robust super bright.

Rye less familiar - not quite sure who goes there but people always speak of it as nuturing and improving academically. Def worth visiting.

Cokethorpe?
Our lady's abingdon supposed to be good if you don't mind religious aspect
Doesn't start til yr7 but d'overbroecks is also worth thinking about as a different approach.
Good luck!

@OxfordMum1983 can I hijack and ask where you'd go for boys?

Rootd:
" Hugh's - they go to 13. The parents are a bit erm odd but it's a nice school."

Odd, in which way?
Snobbery or something else?

The Manor in Abingdon?
Lovely school, not selective. Good academics but very much a whole child approach. Very warm and caring. Is in process of going co-ed but older years are still girls. Only thing is that it doesn't go to 13.

@SirMister It's an odd group. There are the very wealthy who will be boarding their kids as soon as they can. There's lots of new money social climber types running about. There are a few professional mums in the mix but not many and there seems to be an assumption you don't work. I may not be describing it well but it's not particularly welcoming from a parent perspective as the groups don't gel. I'm not sure it makes any difference to the kids.

Agree with Rootd about St Hughs. I would describe it as the place to be seen to send your dc when you move out of London to the countryside.
I find the staff micro manage everything which annoys me.

Rumour has it that a parent donated £10k to the previous head's leaving kitty. No idea how true that is but it wouldn't surprise me!
I have also heard that OLA is struggling financially, and that the integration of boys into The Manor is not going well so far.

I still say look at Cranford House.
Good luck OP - a lot of schools to check out!!

Rootd & houselikeashed - thanks!

Both my wife and I felt what you described as "odd" on a visit. But like you say, it makes no difference to the kids.
Kids will be kids and big kids will be big kids (with their toys, insecurities, false sense of importance and whatever else goes with folks that are that way inclined in their thinking)......we're happy & proud to be hard working - nothing wrong with a strong work ethic!....After all, isn't that what we're trying to instil into our kids...?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

All the freezing little boys in shorts in the middle of winter makes me roll my eyes. If you're going to put them in shorts at least give them thick socks to pull up but no it's shorts and the normal school socks.

I think to the pp point about the teachers micromanaging comes down to the parents being some of the least well educated set I've come across at a prep. Wealthy? Yes. Well educated? No. It's obviously I giant sweeping generalisation but it helps to paint the picture of why it's a bit odd. You get a set of parents who have no idea why they chose the school except for now they have money and should little whoever go private?