fee paying primary and secondary schools in and around Oxford

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18 month old daughter and I have not done any in depth research or made any decisions about either primary or for later on secondary schools. However does anyone have any really positive experiences of fee paying primary or secondary schools in and around oxford? thanks

Oxford High School junior dept is nice and friendly. Senior school v. academic. My friend's DDs are very happy at Headington which is more expensive and slightly less academic

great thanks. how much in advance waiting list / registration wise do people put their childrens names down for junior dpt for oxford high? thanks

I think the earlier you register the better but its not like London where if you're not registered within 6 months of the birth you don't have a hope. I think they take in 20-25 at 3-4 and then another 25 at 4-5 so if you miss the nursery registration there may well be a spot later.

perfect thanks i will check out their website

My parents, both Oxford academics, were slightly unhappy with the way Oxford High treated the slightly less able of their very academic pupils. As a result I went to Headington from 8, where I was exceptionally happy - and did very well: Oxbridge, PhD etc.

The school is now significantly more intellectual and business-minded than when I was there, when it definitely still had a slight aura of Tim-nice-but-dim in comparison with OHS, but in all my return visits I have been struck by the happiness, confidence and enterprise of the girls. Results are good too. They cared for me wonderfully after my mum died during GCSEs, and my over-riding memories are of a happy, caring school ehich is now certainly able to stretch all its pupils.

Just another, admittedly outdated (although have been back recently) personal recollection. Good luck!

thanks oxcat1 this is very useful
academic results are important to us but not the be all and end all as we have both had quite a hot house type upbringing with parents who pushed us both quite a lot so i guess we are rebelling a tiny bit. Either school sound good I will check out both thanks

If you are thinking of sending DD to a state school in North Oxford such as St Philip & St James or St Barnabus then you need to live in the catchment and put them down very early. Dont delay and dont move out of the catchment area.

Agree with with what oxcat says. Oxford High School highly academic at all levels including Prep but outstandingly good if you want that and DD is very bright. Headington at other end of town also high praise, slightly less academic but coming up very fast on OHS and definitley not for anyone who is nice but dim now. Both OHS and Headington have Prep schools that are highly sought after by academic, medical and proefessional parents.

Also: Rye St. Anthony (Headington)
Dragon/Lynehams (co-ed), North Oxford

thanks beebbeta and invaderzim we have recently moved up to oxford so i know very little about these things and your knowledge is very helpful thanks

Many of the local primaries are good (tho' will need to pick your catchment area). And free, which will help save the pennies for secondary education....
DS1 starts primary in September. We have vistied 3 times and been very impressed so far, although obviously a state primary is very different from a fee-paying one in many ways!

SIL was at Oxford High until last summer - she started in year 5 and had a great time there from what I could tell. She was at St Ebbes Primary school before going to the High School.

how do you find out whether you are within a catchment area (sorry for hijacking this thread but I have just given birth and have not researched this issue although I know it is crucial and might require a house move)

I would recommend Wychwood school - small and perfectly formed! (74 Banbury rd. -in walking distance of Oxford) It caters for girls from 11-18, from oxbridge entrants to those with more modest ambitions . Very friendly - day and boarding. Offers a more personalised approach and all-round education. It often takes in from nearby schools that are more relentlessly competetive. If I didn't have all sons - this would be my choice!

I am interested in reading this thread from both view points. My daughter started in reception at our local village primary school last september and she is happy. But we will probably want to move her to independent education in the next 3 years.
I feel I can't make an objective decision as I went to OHS prep school (then called Greycotes) and loved it. I then went to OHS and hated it - not least because they told me I was not going to pass GCSE english. I moved to Wychwood who confirmed I was dyslexic and worked hard with me and I acheived 2 B's in english lit and language. This allowed me to go to university and I read medicine. If I had stayed at OHS I may well have not been eligible to apply to any university. Things have probably changed. My daughter seems a bright spark and thank god, doesn't have my problem with reading. So maybe OHS is best for her.....