Senior school occasional place - Oxford High School or STAHS

[2021newbiemum]

My DD got offer from OHS and I have paid deposit to the school.
Last week just received offer from STAHS and we need to confirm the offer soon.

Any comments about the schools or the two locations are welcome. (As we will move this summer anyway, therefore commute is not my main concern.)

Thank you.

Assuming deposit is non refundable, why did you pay deposit for Oxford when still waiting for STAHS offer? Should have used that as bargaining power with STAHS. Only you will know which is the best fit for your daughter.

Lovely people here, we are looking for secondary schools for my daughter in Oxford. We live in Bucks and it is a big decision for us as we would have to relocate as well.

I attended open day at OHS and waiting to visit Headington next month. I am waiting for a visit to SHSK , these are the three schools we are looking for applying.

i saw so many comments on the board about these schools but not very recently.

It would help to hear recent (post pandemic) experience about all these schools.

My daughter is academic, thrives when challenged but in a nice way. Her best strength is jn academics but she has many interests , piano, flute, choir, sports like netball , rock climbing, swimming, tennis, drama and many more. She thrives in a lively environment and though not an extrovert she likes to make friends and very chatty in a friendly environment.

If anyone had any honest and recent opinion about these 3 schools would be really good, also any suggestions on good locations near these schools in commutable distance as we would need to relocate, would be super helpful!
Thanks in advance!

They are all great schools and I would urge you to visit and make your mind up for your daughter’s interests only. Marketing departments (!) and historic accounts tend to dominate these boards I find… Your daughter sounds terrific and I’m sure she’d thrive at any: which school then chimes with your own values and offers the activities and subjects which reflect hers. Do you feel you fit?
I wish you the best of luck with your search.

Thanks Bestbudy.
We narrowed down our choice to OHS n Oxford and St Helen in Northwood, both have coaches from where we live. I am wondering if anyone has very recent experience in OHS where they joined in year 7 from another school. It is really hard to make an idea in a short visit or in the open day. I would be particularly interested if girls are allowed an all round development and if emotional aspects are supported for girls trying to settle in or finding difficulties in settling in.

Why don’t you try calling the schools and seeing if they have a parent in Year 7 who would be willing to chat to you who’s been in that situation?
worth a try 😊