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Original poster

Moving to Oxfordshire - suggestions on independent secondary schools needed

36 replies

Firehose21 · 13/04/2023 17:15

Hi - any advice on independent secondary schools in Oxfordshire would be great. Girls or co-ed only. Would consider boarding but think my daughter would prefer a day school.

looking for lots of co-curricular but supportive learning support department is the absolute priority.

Very grateful for any advice!

OP posts:
PrincessofWellies · 13/04/2023 17:17

Cokethorpe is amazing with excellent pastoral care and learning support.

Original poster
Firehose21 · 13/04/2023 17:31

@PrincessofWellies do you have experience of the senior school?

OP posts:
Newusernameaug · 13/04/2023 17:32

Wychwood is fab

PrincessofWellies · 13/04/2023 17:37

Yes a while back, same head though.

Original poster
Firehose21 · 13/04/2023 17:43

@Newusernameaug @PrincessofWellies Thank you both for your suggestions- what is it that that you loved (or loved!) about these schools?

Does anyone have any experience of OLA, Rye St Antony, St Edwards or Cranford House?

OP posts:
PrincessofWellies · 13/04/2023 17:50

OLA to be avoided, they have a poor reputation locally.

Original poster
Firehose21 · 13/04/2023 17:58

@PrincessofWellies do you know why? (Please feel free to DM if you prefer!) I know they have an open day coming up soon so I was going to go and have a look…

OP posts:
houselikeashed · 13/04/2023 23:45

If you need nurturing and learning support, then Wychwood should absolutely be at the top of your list. It is tiny though, so although there are lots of extra curricular, they are not particulary competitive against the larger schools. It does flexi/occasional/emergency boarding too, as well as weekly and full.

Cokethorpe, is a bit marmite. I never thought it was particulary good at anything really. Other schools did things better imo. Likewise OLA.
Worth looking at Rye, Headington too.

Not sure how the co-ed is going at Cranford.

Waferbiscuit · 13/04/2023 23:49

Dd is at st edwards. Excellent. Loves it. Nurtures students whatever their interests, lots of academic support and encouragement. Ambitious new head. Would highly recommend. Also it's coed which is pretty rare in Oxford!

RedPanda2022 · 15/04/2023 20:33

@Waferbiscuit
ds1 has just had an offer from Teddies - for shell (yr9) - I’m a bit worried about it being very very full on…he also is not ‘cool’ so would be keen for your dd’s thoughts on inclusivity.

Taciturn · 15/04/2023 20:47

St Helens and St Katharine
Oxford High

Taciturn · 15/04/2023 20:47

Headington

Taciturn · 15/04/2023 20:49

Sorry, just saw you wanted something with good learning support. My suggestions might not be helpful, but might be worth a conversation with Headington and SHSK.

Soverytiredtoday · 15/04/2023 20:52

Cranford House is a very different kind of school from St Edwards- smaller, day school, only recently went co-Ed in the senior school.
Good range of extracurricular activities. Not as fancy as some but chances for everyone to do sports matches and music, drama etc. Small class sizes so they really know your child and supportive of getting the best from your child. Really helped my shy girl gain confidence. No experience of the learning support offered but not heard any complaints.

Waferbiscuit · 15/04/2023 21:01

@RedPanda2022 congrats to your ds - teddies is getting tougher to get into so well done to him.

Dd isn't 'cool' but the school is very good at catering to really varied interests and abilities. There's an artsy crowd and a sporty crowd and the dance/drama crowd. some students who are very academic etc and some less so.

whatever your interests the school really fosters participation and encourages everyone to excel at what they're good at, if that makes sense. Students get tutors who support and advise them and there's great pastoral care. The personal attention is superb.

We've been to other schools in Oxford and teddies is leagues better. Very happy that dd is there. Please pm me if you have any other questions.

Original poster
Firehose21 · 15/04/2023 22:12

I’d love to hear more about Teddies! How long is the school day? And Is it true they have school on a Saturday?

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 16/04/2023 00:05

@Firehose21
Its clear from their web site that they do. Worth a read maybe? Boarding schools with day pupils have long days. The schools offer a lot but can be a late finish. You have to commit to this way of life. If you are East Oxfordshire, Stowe isn’t far away.

RedPanda2022 · 17/04/2023 08:08

@Waferbiscuit thanks so much, really helpful. So glad to hear your dd is enjoying school.

@Firehose21 website is pretty comprehensive for info. Finish is 18:30 or 21:00 for day, similar to the usual ‘day at a boarding school’ model. To be honest I would not live far from any school with long days so go for one close by!

TizerorFizz · 17/04/2023 11:47

There’s also Bloxham too. Fairly handy for Banbury area. Stowe is nicer though!!

flowergirly13 · 29/05/2023 22:18

I would avoid OHS, my DD left there 2 years ago after a decent 7 years of primary and a horrible first 2 years of secondary school. The pastoral care was awful and instead of making her into a confident and academic girl she felt anxious and self conscious, she was told by her own teachers that she was not good enough. My DD felt extremely pressured and felt like if you were not the absolute smartest you were nothing, also it was obvious they felt that only maths and science mattered, she loved art but it was not respected. I know of some friends who had DD’s with very nice girls in their year, however my DD’s year was full of toxic girls and she was bullied a lot. We moved her to Cherwell (local state school) and she absolutely LOVES it, her grades are 150% better after moving and she is getting a much better education and we are saving lots of money, pastoral care is also incredible only downside is less 1-1 attention but I definitely feel like state school is the way to go for us!
i know that Wychwood is a co-ed independent school with amazing pastoral care
I would also stay away from Headington and SHSK if your looking for a nurturing environment

BadGranny · 29/05/2023 22:21

Another vote for Bloxham. Excellent learning support and lots of extra-curricular stuff.

Fairislefandango · 29/05/2023 22:23

St Helen & St Katherine's is fantastic.

Original poster
Firehose21 · 30/05/2023 08:29

@flowergirly13 is Headington as pressurised as St Helens/Oxford High?

OP posts:
flowergirly13 · 30/05/2023 11:00

Well my daughter was accepted into SHSK in year 9 but rejected from Headington because she was quote ‘not academically able’ so I guess it depends on your daughter although I do believe it is just as pressurised

AngelinaBusyBee · 30/05/2023 14:29

@flowergirly13

May I ask if you had the impression that SHSK has similar academic pressure than OHS? I am considering SHSK for 13+ but I worry that it is a pressurised environment where if you are not at the top of the cohort, you will be looked down by other girls.