Independent primary schools in the Milton Keynes/Brackley/Banbury area

[MsNevermore]

For anyone who was wondering….trying to find a school for your DCs in preparation for an overseas move when you’re currently 5000 miles away and 8 hours behind is no fun 😭😭
Just received an email to say that the school we were hoping for has space for DC3 in reception but not for DC’s 1 & 2 in Year 4 and Year 5, so now I’m back on the hunt.
It’s a pain in the arse as this is a short-notice move, so not like we were able to submit applications in advance. So now I’m sat here hoping for a miracle that there’s an independent primary, somewhere in the right location that will have 3 places available come Spring Term 😭
Any recommendations for independent primaries in the areas in the thread title would be greatly appreciated!!!

Slightly further south, but look at Ashfold in Dorton near Bicester/Thame

Akeley Wood (between Buckingham and MK) take from nursery right through to age 18.

Swanbourne House (south of Buckingham, also accessible from MK) is nursery-13.

Beachborough (near Brackley) is also nursery-13.

I have friends who have all have / had children at these, and never heard of any issues. My DC went to state schools locally - and bear in mind for the future, Buckingham is grammar schools if that helps.

Thank you!

I’ll ping them an email to see if they still have places available!

Beachborough was the one we had our heart set on 😞 They have space for DC3 but not DCs 1&2.
And ideally to make the logistics work, we need them all in the same school.
We’ve moved so many times, and yet this is proving the most stressful one yet. Never thought coming back to the U.K. would be more of a minefield than setting up shop overseas 😂😂

Akeley is not far from Beachborough (no more than 15 mins) and is defintiely popular around here. Where will you be living?

DH will be working in Croughton, so we are looking at homes within 20 miles of there

I would definitely suggest trying Akeley, which is probably around 20 mins from Croughton, or Swanbourne (probably 30 mins), but of course would then depend on where you live. I can’t help or advise with schools the oxford/northants side of croughton, as I’m in Buckingham! Which is a lovely place to live :)

There was a school on the road to Banbury from Brackley, but it’s closing this summer for good.

If you choose to live near Bicester, you will also be able to access the Oxford schools easily. Dragon, Wychwood, Leckford Place, Headington( has recently changed name I think) Oxford High School ( girls), Magdalen College ( boys) and New Hall (I think that’s what it’s called!)

I've seen there's places at St John's Priory in Banbury advertised on Facebook.
Not sure which year groups though.

Does it have to be an independent school?

Ideally - we get an extremely generous education allowance via DH’s work

live near Bicester/ Thame then. You’ll be able to access Ashfold, Oxford. Oxford is also very good for independent secondaries

Winchester House School is only a couple of miles from Beachborough and will have spaces. Swanbourne House School and Ashfold School are a bit further in opposite directions but all three schools are linked together in partnership with Stowe School and will all be able to give you places for your children all together up to age 13 and then in Stowe beyond if you want up to age 18.

This area is full of independent schools and, atm, Beachborough seems to be the only one that is full.

Aykeley and Thornton are not as 'public school' and less well regarded but much cheaper (largely for that reason, I guess).

In Milton Keynes itself there is MK Prep and Broughton Manor but they only go up to Age 11 and are, I believe, much more corporate, aimed at getting 11+ places out of catchment. Then there's The Webber but I'm not sure I'd recommend that. It's an all through school. Used to be tiny but I think it might have improved.

My kids went to St John’s Priory in Banbury many years ago. It’s small, and as someone from the States it seemed very traditional in its discipline and teaching to me. But my kids were generally pretty happy there. I think Oxford will have more for you to choose from. Headington Rye’s prep school is co-ed. They recently expanded and moved to a bigger campus. I think they’ll probably have spaces available but your kids might have to take an entrance exam.

All of the DC’s were born in the U.K., eldest and middle one both have spent more time in British schools than American ones. Youngest hasn’t started school yet, she’s been to a U.K. preschool before, but since we’ve been here she’s been home with me….so she’s still very British 😂😂😂 I’m not worried about a culture shock for them, because this move is more like us coming home than anything.
St John’s Priory is on my list!