Oxfordshire private schools

[Whitefox212]

So background is I have a son who will be school age in the next two years starting to look around nurseries. We live in Oxfordshire and are hoping to go the private route. My son is a very sensitive soul who I believe would do better in a school that’s small and that’s put their mental health needs first rather than grades. Have narrowed it down to Sibford, Oxford Montessori and possibly Bloxham. My main concern is that these schools have bigger SEN provisions. I have friends with children who have SEN needs so I am totally sympathetic to this but I also am aware that 1/3 students at Sibford are SEN for example and worry about how that may possibly impact his schooling. Grades are not a massive to me I would much rather be enjoy school as an experience and then grades matter. Any advice or recommendations very welcome :)

My grandkids go to the Oxford m school they love it and doing well

I was on the same boat, chose a (private, in Oxford) small school for all those reasons. It ended up being a disaster, and we are changing dd to a much bigger one now. You think small = nurturing, but in my experience small means a smaller pool of potential friends and very clickey , which is good if you’re lucky but if you have a Sen or sensitive child with not great social skills (as mine is), it just doesn’t work. Bigger schools also tend to have bigger support teams and are more able to deal with different needs and abilities.

Btw going to Dragon, we are very hopeful

Have you visited Christ Church Cathedral School? Small and very friendly, most not SEND meaning they can give lots of support to those with mild SEND, and everyone else too! They have a lovely nursery which starts from age 2. My DS is very happy there, with lots of friends (including from different age groups which I think is important).

Have you looked at Windrush Valley? Small and nurturing

I visited Windrush Valley and I agree: really lovely.

Whereabouts in the country are you? At this age I would also focus on an easy commute to school.

Thank you for the replies- so a family member of ours went to Christchurch so that is an option just very central Oxford! We are currently based in South Oxfordshire but would be looking to move in a couple of years to be closer to a school/ family more North Oxfordshire

You should definitely look at Sibford - small, creative, very nurturing and inclusive.

Depending where you are, lots of people come to Christ Church from outside Oxford by train if that helps: it’s a short walk / bike / scoot from the station.

Christ Church Cathedral School is very supportive at pre-prep level. However, once children move into prep, those with SEND needs can become marginalised. A friend’s son with dyslexia, for example, had his progress dismissed through the way tests were used. The school also has many children from the Chinese community who receive intensive private tutoring outside of school. In our experience, children received far better support at Headington.