Oxford Prep Schools

[KatyBoots]

We are hoping to move to Oxford from London this summer…not yet decided on an area.
I am looking for prep or ‘all through’ schools for my two DD’s (currently age 3 & 6). They will by then be going into Reception and Year 3.

DS1 has a place at MCS / Abingdon (we will probably go for MCS) and DS2 at Bruern Abbey. I would like to live close to the school I choose for my DD’s - without any commute.

I've heard about Dragon and I know of Headington Rye but not sure of their local reputations or of other options….

I can see why you’d want to avoid adding a commute to your days. Will your Bruern Abbey boy be weekly boarding? Or will he be collected daily, whilst your older son makes his own way home?

Either way, Headington would be slightly easier, logistically as it’s straight down the hill to MCS. The Dragon (setting aside its own very individual character) would be more awkward, and is in a hugely congested (at school run times) pocket of N. Oxford.

I can’t help thinking of the very lovely walk between MCS and Christ Church School - but that would only work for your younger daughter, as they only take girls between Reception and yr 3.

To be honest I don’t think ‘reputation’ is of much use here, until you’ve actually visited individual schools to see how they might suit. The area between The Dragon and Summer Fields is a highly desirable residential area, but some might find it a bit intense. Headington is airier (being higher up) with more room to breathe, even if the houses are on the whole less grand.

Oxford High is an all through school for girls.

Thank you both.

@Veritie I was considering Oxford High also but think I will have missed cut off dates for the 7+ as my older DD is in Year 2. I also didn’t prep her for 7+ (I was too busy with my eldest doing 11+ !) so not sure she’d get in. Is entry very competitive?

My daughter is in Y2 and the year has been undersubscribed so I'd be surprised if there weren't places. Wasn't competitive at Reception entry

@NorWouldTilly thanks so much for all the helpful info.

Yes DS1 will make his own way to school and DS2 will be a day boy at Bruern so will need dropping off / collecting daily ehich is quite a headache as they don’t provide transport. I’ve heard traffic is terrible (although coming from Hampstead I’m not sure it can be worse!) I was considering North Oxford for housing - I thought it might be easier to get up near Bruern from there? Interested in why you say the area is intense?

My kids are used to a fairly competitive London prep school, although tbh part of the attraction of moving is getting away from that! I will definitely visit as many schools as I can.

@Veritie ah ok interesting to know it was undersubscribed - definitely sounds like one to consider then. Have you/ your daughter been happy with the school?

Does DS2 have to get to Bruern Abbey prep or senior site?

MCS has just announced it is going co-ed, in time for your DD2 (when she's yr 3) but not in time for your DD1 I think.

With MCS and Abingdon both going co-ed, Headington and OHS are going to be worried about filling all their spaces in future; I imagine either would be more amenable to late entry to prep than in the past. There's also Manor Prep or Chandlings if you decide on Abingdon for DS1.

I'm not a Dragon fan for girls, but YMMV. Contact them all as soon as possible, and go to see any that would have spaces.

Ha! Coming from Hampstead you may well adore that part of North Oxford. It’s very lovely, but houses around The Dragon must be approaching billionaire, not mere millionaire, territory; so a lot of very, very driven and competitive parents. And the weirdness of the fact academics can’t afford houses there. Headington seems much more down to earth. Summertown too. (It’s a pity you don’t have a Summer Fields shaped child - I’m assuming both your boys are older? - as it’s the happiest place in Oxford. Or was, when I knew it.)

I live in central Oxford, and it’s great having everything within touching distance, but it’s a tremendously crowded little city, and, absent the screaming frustration of traffic in and out, there’s no doubt I had a more relaxed quality of life living in a village a few miles out.

That’s interesting news about the change at MCS …

MCS will be taking girls for the first time in 2027 and into both years 3 and 4 (J1 and J2). So if DD1 is currently in year 2, you could just send all four of them there… (eyes water at the thought of the fees…) Before then, I would send them to one of the many decent but not brilliant state schools. Christ Church is not, imo, a good school and the only people I know with children there haven’t been able to get places elsewhere. If it has to be private, I would pick the Dragon over Headington Rye but not with a great deal of enthusiasm.

We have two DS at MCS and are very, very happy with it. I don’t find it a pushy school at all — in fact, it’s very relaxed in many ways. But I wouldn’t recommend it for a child who was only just scraping through the test. If your DDs are extremely bright, I think it would be an excellent choice.

Even very short commutes in Oxford are a nightmare. My kids take the school bus even though we live only a mile and a half away, because we both work in London. It works very well. Picks them up at five to 8 about 2 mins walk from our house, and then brings them back for half four. Lots of second formers take the bus and would likely be a good choice for DS1 from September. (Mine have actually made some good friends, despite the fact that it’s only a ten minute journey!)

Does Bruern Abbey have a bus? If not, that will be an unbelievable nightmare from anywhere inside Oxford. The congestion charge means that there is (ironically) almost constant congestion and stationary traffic on both Woodstock and Banbury Roads during school commuting times.

Do either of you need to go to London? If so, I would look at Walton Manor rather than the (dull, amenity-less) area around the Dragon. Much closer to the station and a nicer walk/cycle ride, and great having the Jericho restaurants, cinema etc. With four children you might struggle to find a big enough house, but there are good-sized (3000 sq ft+) houses on Warnborough, Leckford, Farndon etc. roads.

One tip: people in Oxford like to put their houses on the market in the spring. Your best bet is to start looking now. Most of the good ones will be gone by May, and it can be hard to get an offer accepted.

Christ Church is not, imo, a good school and the only people I know with children there haven’t been able to get places elsewhere.

Are you able to say anymore about that? I thought it had pretty good academic credentials.

Have you considered Chandlings or the Manor? People generally seem positive about both.

My son is at Christ Church and thriving. I think the comment was about senior school entry and they’ve got really good results this year. It’s a very small school and suits some people great and less others: it’s a bit old fashioned (in a good way in my opinion), with traditional academics, loads of music, and a really friendly atmosphere.

I know this thread is a bit old but in case you’re still interested. My dd goes to the dragon and I’m certainly not a billionaire, not even a millionaire - there’re loads of different families. It’s a far more nurturing place than other (cheaper) schools in the area.
i know some of the other schools well - don’t worry much about cut off dates, most of them are struggling with numbers and will be happy to accommodate a late admission, just give them a call.
Headington has a bit of a mean girl atmosphere reputation- which really means they’re not great at managing bullying. DM if you need any info