Prep Schools in Oxford

[Popgoestheweaselagain]

Does anybody know anything about Prep schools for boys in Oxford? Our son will start in 2023. We're not sure whether to go for big with lots of facilites (like the Dragon School) or somewhere like Church Church Cathedral or New College, which are smaller and cosier, but seem a bit cramped.

do you have a place at any of them?

Registered for a few, but I hear Dragon is very difficult to get into, so might not have a place. Christ Church and New College sounded more hopeful. I think there's an assessment for New College. Christ Church and New College seems very similar, does anybody know anything about them? Which is considered more academic? More friendly? More pastoral? More creative? Of course, every school claims to be all these things ...

how about Abingdon prep?

Abingdon looks lovely, but too far away. I need something in the Summertown/Oxford Centre area.

Why are you not mentioning the obvious Summertown boys’ prep, OP? Are they already full for next year?

@TottersBlankly
I was assuming admissions for SF would be full by now. Always worth a phone call though I suppose.

Maybe OP has already asked? I would have thought it would be worth going to a local primary until a space comes up at SF though.

We're looking for music/arts. SF is a possibility, but, like DS fills up quickly. I was wondering if anybody had any experience of the more central schools. Is being a small school an advantage? Don't want my DS to get lost!

SF is great by all accounts and I'd probably chat with admissions and see what they say the wait would be. If you're open to boarding Cothill House also meant to be great.

I don't know if you have decided upon your school yet but have you thought about Chandlings Prep which is just off the A34 about 5 miles from Oxford?

Thanks very much for all your messages. We decied to go with a central school and DS is very happy. I'll be looking for girls' schools for DD in a few years and will look into Chandlings etc. Won't leave it so last minute next time! We were so lucky to get in where we did.