Sixth forms in Oxfordshire

[littlemissbiscuit]

DD is considering these sixth forms in Oxfordshire: The Warriner Academy, North Oxfordshire Academy, The Bicester School, City of Oxford College and Wykham Park Academy.

We are not local so have no idea how good any of these sixth forms are, behaviour and teaching wise. My DD is very clever, she currently goes to a grammar school and has aspirations of studying abroad in the future, and she would like a school that supports her and is friendly with minimal disruption if possible.

If anyone could share their opinions on any of these schools, I would appreciate it massively, thank you so much in advance.

Where will you be living?
As she could apply to the Aylesbury/ Buckinghamshire grammar schools?

That's a large geographic area. How will she be getting to these schools?
I know the area a little bit and public transport isn't great and there's been issues with bus school routes being changed/cut randomly.
I can't speak for the 6th Forms but I believe Wykham Park is hugely unpopular.

We live in Warwickshire so Oxfordshire is pushing it as it is, unfortunately those areas are just too far for her to travel to every day even though they are great options.

By train and a short walk, all the schools are just under an hour trip

Ok, so it’s quite a distance, but if you’re willing to consider Oxford itself, Cherwell is very good, but v difficult to get into. But it can’t hurt to try!
Why are you looking at schools so far from home, she’ll be knackered by the travel and struggle to see friends out of school hours

Surely the Stratford Grammar School would be better if you are Warwickshire.
Teens from Banbury travel to school in Kineton so that's a possibility?
I am going to be honest here.... I rarely hear positivity about the schools in Banbury (including Warriner). So many Banbury families send their children to Warwickshire or Northamptonshire schools instead as the Banbury ones aren't great.

Thanks, that's really helpful.

My DD actually goes to sggs, as did her older sister and to be honest it really isn't all it's cracked up to be. She wants to leave and I don't blame her at all.

Maybe look towards the grammars in Birmingham.

Thank you, I will look into that.
We're just trying to explore all avenues as most state schools aren't great anywhere at the moment.

What about https://aums.ac.uk/ ? https://aums.ac.uk/life/aston-destinations-programme - they seem to offer support for international admissions

Of course it's starting this year so you don't know what the cohort will be, but I haven't heard bad things about the other maths schools.

Warriner is a good school and sixth form especially good. Sure she'll get in but it does seem a long commute for a state school - must be equally good closer ones? What if her friends are also then in Banbury? Warriner is friendly Id say. Behaviour not always great in lower school and whwre possible they integrate SEN and dont stream for many subjects which doesnt always work in my opinion.. My child has done really well at Warriner though, grade 9s all the way and hopes to get into Oxford University and is fully supported in that by teachers and is staying for sixth form. Though I feel if kids are clever and no other issues they'll do well anywhere really. Certainly warriner is less pressured than SGGS - that can work better for some if they are self motivated but I expect not for all if they need high expectations from school to drive them... I'd visit lots of schools to get the feel of them. The feel is really important for teenagers I think. Mine like the openness of warriners campus. Warriner has the biggest organic school farm in Britain and that has been a fantastic resource for my kids - even if just for mental health - a quick feed and stroke of kid goats at lunchtime is fab during stressful exam weeks!

Warriner is generally considered the better of the schools in Banbury (ok technically it's in Bloxham) but getting there could be difficult.
I have read of pupils living in Banbury who go there but not getting a place on the bus or if using the public bus it's overcrowded/cancelled/late.
If she did look at Banbury then Wykham Park is walking distance from the train station (about a 20 minute walk).
It's not a popular school but the 6th Form might be ok as in theory the only pupils there actually want to be there.

Hi- I wouldn’t recommend Warriner. My DC has gone elsewhere for sixform and the other one won’t be staying either. Some good teachers but leadership team has very poor rep. High turnover of staff and sixth form drop out. Behaviour generally not good. Facilities are good, it’s a shame with better management it could be a really good school. Chipping Norton, Cherwell. and Stratford schools tend to be more popular for kids leaving Warriner and going to sixth form.

What about Southam College, if you’re in Warwickshire?