Kingham Hill School, Oxfordshire

[kateh64]

Are there any parents out there who send their children to Kingham Hill School in Oxfordshire? If so I would really appreciate some constructive reviews of the school please. I am currently considering this school for my 13 year old daughter.

My son plays sports and occasionally camps at Kingham from his Warwickshire independant school. He always says the pupils are friendly and has fun there.
I'm not from this area, but I understand Kingham used to have the reputation of being all beeswax polish and not achieving high standards,however a new head in the past few years has improved its zest.
Are you looking at boarding or day?

Initially day, but boarding if all goes well. My step daughter went here in the late 90s and we had concerns about the school then. However, it has certainly had an excellent report recently and really seems to be on the up. It would just be interesting to hear the views of existing parents. Thanks for your info.

I am fairly new to the area and gather that it has had a mixed reputation in the past, but is really on the up with lots of new staff and a new head. I know some bright kids go there now and they got a student into Oxford last year. The open days are very buzzy with lots of people looking round. The location is amazing!

Yes! We have 2 there & another due to start next term.
We are thrilled with the school - we live 3 hrs away. No school is perfect but this is the nearest we've found! Do ask any questions, will try to be objective! My sister is also thinking of sending hers. Our son summed it up when he first joined: 'At my old school it was them & us (staff), here the teachers are FOR you'. We value the way the school seeks to develop each student's character to their potential & not just get them through exams, whether they are compliant or rebel, bright or dyslexic, sporty or dramatic. Who they are is more important than what they can do, although they will all have opportunity to find their gifts.

Thanks so much for this feedback. Its good to hear. I (and my daughter)just have a good feeling about the school when we look at the website so reading your comments has helped validate this. It is such a huge decision to make so your help is really useful in this process. We are coming to the open day in May and hope to be able to make a final decision soon after. Of course I have many questions tumbling around in my head which I need to get in to some order for the open day! However, here are a couple that perhaps you could give feedback on? The extra-curricular activities look fantastic - are the children encouraged to take part and do the majority involve themselves? Also,are there good channels for regular feedback and communication from the school on a child's performance?

Agree huge decision. It's definitely been right for 2 of ours. Hopefully will be for K. She goes for taster days Monday & Tuesday, after exeat, so will find out about activities for you. Not sure how many they HAVE to do. Animal club is optional at lunchtimes x4 a week. Then most others are after classes, 3.30-4.30. Best feedback we've come across. Grades for effort, behaviour & attainment x3 a term are put on an online database. Distinctions for overall get prizes of Smiths tokens in assemblies. Poor results you go on report. Poss to get distinctions without being academic. When new the tutors & house parents both emailed us as to how they could help ours settle & with progress report. You can email/speak/see teachers whenever, they reply promptly. Advantage of being a smaller school I guess. They will contact you direct with concerns or worries. The HM even rang us about a university entrance form & explained system. Stoddy in the senior girls house does a monthly newsletter - I learn quite a lot from them & you get a feel for the atmosphere in the house. She is very honest too when things are tricky!

Thanks again for your answers. Looking forward to the open day now so that we can reach a decision.