Magdalen College School/ Oxford High GDST Sixth Forms

[Molio]

I'd be very grateful for any informed views on either or both of these schools. The student in question is a Y10 girl, good socially with both girls and boys but has been at a co-ed state school hitherto. She's an extremely high achiever, predicted ten top grades but very unstressy and relaxed. I've been asked for advice but am naturally disinclined towards single sex girls' schools. Parent is single, not well off but wouldn't qualify for a bursary and is able and willing to release equity to pay for two years of fees. The mother and daughter don't currently live in Oxford so socially the girl would have to start all over again.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

[Molio]

Thanks SGADM. Yes I think this girl would be more suited to co-ed. Any reports of OHS being especially bitchy? She'd hate that. Perhaps it's a silly question and just comes with the territory. Did you consider any other schools in the area?

[Molio]

Also, does anyone know what the numbers are like at MCS in terms of boys:girls?

[SheGotAllDaMoves]

iirc the ratio of boys:girls in sixth form is about 60:40.

But don't take that as gospel.

I haven't heard of OH being particularly bitchy. Obviously, all girls' schools have that dubious rep, especially at the more academic end. I sometimes wonder if it isn't just a reflection of inherent sexism; females are bitchy to one another, thus all-female environments are more bitchy?

I dunno.

But I've never heard of it being problematic in any event. And my agent kept sending his on after the other so they must have being doing something right.

It's a very sociable school, I think. Both for girls and parents (at least for those who like that sort of thing) which makes it pleasant for new comers.

[SheGotAllDaMoves]

As for other schools, no we didn't really make any proper investigations.

Though that's not because there aren't good schools, but because we had particular familial priorities (DS at school in London, DH working in London etc).

[bojorojo]

I think it is stereotyping to say that girls' schools are bitchy. Some girls have this tendency wherever they go to school! However, some boys are very dismissive of girls and girls can spend a lot of time trying to look their best for the boys! Laddish behaviour with the boys can also be a problem in some schools - the Rugby First XV comes to mind! Never mind the unflattering nick-names for the girls! It is a minefield and no school is perfect! Hope RLS web site is now working!

[sendsummer]

Agree with all comments above. Obviously at OHS, Headington and SHKS the girls look at pastures new for the sixth form which basically entails looking around MCS due to attraction of co-ed. Many after visiting MCS decide to stay put though. I have not heard of systematic 'bitchiness' in any of the schools but just like bullying some year groups may have problem characters who have to be dealt with which I think those schools do fairly effectively. I am sure that is the same at her present school.
As far as I am concerned there are definite advantages to co-ed for girls in the sixth form however I am not convinced it is worth the extra money that MCS charges particularly for a girl who has already experienced co-ed. The academics at all these schools are basically similar taking into account the extra very selective intake at 16 for MCS.
Saying all that I suspect that the girl in question will be most drawn to MCS as it most similar to her present co-ed experience.

[Molio]

This has been extremely helpful, so thank you very much indeed for all your views.

Any nuggets of info on good places to live (either rent or buy) which combine small pretty houses and accessibility at an affordable price I'm sure would be very well received too :) Or even good agents. Any leads welcome!

[Abraid2]

Obviously at OHS, Headington and SHKS the girls look at pastures new for the sixth form

Most, at SHSK, do not. They stay put, on the whole. Those that left this year went to other girls schools, as well as to Magdalen.

[sendsummer]

Abraid I don't say the contrary. I said Obviously at OHS, Headington and SHKS the girls look at pastures new for the sixth form which basically entails looking around MCS due to attraction of co-ed. Many after visiting MCS decide to stay put though. There may be more at SHSKS than OHS who have the additional motivation of staying due to not wanting to increase their commute

[sendsummer]

Molio unfortunately I have n't got an inside track on pretty affordable properties in and around Oxford. TBH if this girl is a last or only DC about to start a new sixth form in Oxford I would be tempted to rent fairly centrally so as to maximise the ease of her new social life and give time to properly get a feel of the areas and be on hand to visit new properties quickly.

[Abraid2]

Sorry, reading in haste and missed that bit, send.

It was interesting that some of the leavers chose other girls schools this year--mainly because of the commuting issue (those living in Oxford find it much easier to get to Magdalen or OH), or wanting to go state (Didcot/Cherwell) or to go to schools with more vocational A level choices. Our Ladies is always popular, also in Abingdon. Very good pastoral care.

There are no affordable properties in Oxford, to be frank. It is ridiculously costly. We live 18 miles away and our smallish cottage is stupidly priced.

[1805]

re where to live, Oxford is on the whole expensive. It will really depend on your budget as to where you can afford to live.
Summertown and Jerico v v v expensive, Headington and Marston cheaper, Wolvercote might suit, Kidlington cheaper too. Further out are Wheatley, Cumnor, Kennington…. Depends what type of location they want. Village or City? Don't go too far out though as getting in to Oxford in the mornings is terrible from all directions.

Is Headington School a consideration?

[1805]

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-38663196.html

this is in a good, central Oxford area.

[Molio]

I was being flip when I said small, pretty, affordable sendsummer but actually that property that 1805 linked to seems great, from the details. Probably too expensive to release equity for school fees though. But perfect otherwise (!) I'd have thought. Sensible advice about renting from the DD's social life pov if properties like that one are unaffordable. Who are or what is Phil and Jim? (mentioned by the agent).

On the school front, this business of girls shifting from single sex schools in the sixth form is very standard everywhere I think. I'm not a fan of single sex for girls but I do also wonder if it mightn't be far easier for a newbie to settle if there's a large number of other newbie's too, rather than an established crowd. I guess few move into the girls' schools for sixth form?

[1805]

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-47499695.html

Cheaper option.

[1805]

Phil and Jim's (nn) is a highly sought after primary school in a posh area!

[Molio]

That was quick! Thank you!

[sendsummer]

Molio yes I was being tongue in cheek back. 1805 is being impressively helpful though.
I would be having the same thoughts as you for this girl as a new joiner. I do get the impression though that a fresh face can be very welcome sometimes by an established year group particularly at sixth form. However I think the best chance of persuading her that this is an exciting start rather than a retrograde step away from her present social life would be the prospect of MCS (or just possibly somewhere with an international intake such as Headington).

[GoMilou]

The headteacher of Headington has responded to a comment from the headteacher of Brighton College who has suggested single-sex education for girls is "a deeply unrealistic world". Article in today's Guardian.

This is pure sexism, why don't we ever hear of the disadvantages of boys-only education.

[Abraid2]

The new girls in sixth form are often welcomed enthusiastically, has been my experience.

[bojorojo]

We do hear of the disadvantages of a boys only education - from Clarissa Farr, High Mistress of St Paul's Girls School. She has been very vocal on the dubious "qualities" of some boys who come from boys only schools. It has long been the case that some boys' schools introduced girls to civilise the boys! (Ha!). I was never sure I wanted this for my girls. Neither did I want them to have unflattering nicknames from the boys or be marked out of 10 for their sex appeal! All true examples when girls join some boys schools in the 6th form - although not heard about this at MCS!

When a girl visits a school as a prospective 6th former, you do get a "feel" for how they will be regarded - by the other girls! Even in co-ed schools. My DD expressed a preference for co-ed but was looked up and down very visibly to see if she "checked out", was ignored by some girls who barely raised their eyes from their phones when she walked in, and graciously welcomed by others. You do get a feel of where will suit, and where will not! Yes, girls schools do recruit into the 6th form but it is also true that many boarding schools will have larger number of overseas students arriving in the 6th form who do not socialise very much.

Unless someone lives in an expensive area of Oxford, it is a lottery where the children nearby will go to school. The Oxford independent schools recruit from a wide area so a best friend might be from Bicester or Thame or even from Bucks!

[sendsummer]

bojorojo you are right about the wide area that pupils come from but my impression is that any hanging about after school and organised social events tend to be arranged for central Oxford.
Quite a lot of overseas pupils do tend to make the effort to mix. In any case I imagine a lot of the socialising by the day pupils is separate from the boarders after school hours.
It will be difficult to get a feel for the girls at MCS and their sociability since they also will be new.

[roguedad]

I think the Abingdon-SHSK pairing has it about right. We know more about the music and drama scene and their is a lot of collaboration - e.g. SHSK girls joined the choir when Abingdon did their Sheldonian Xmas concert, lots of chat on the shared buses etc. Some shared classroom teaching in the 6th form. But there is also just enough separation during the day to allow some other stuff to flourish that might not survive the pressures of full co-ed. I thought the Brighton Head was talking utter bollocks by the way. There are huge benefits in allowing kids to develop their interests and pick their subjects without worrying what the other half thinks of of them, or being told that physics isn't for girls or whatever.

And Oxford is sodding expensive - more so than London by price/local earnings.

[GoMilou]

Molio

If you like pretty little late Victorian houses, check out Bostock Road in Abingdon. It's near Albert Park and SHSK and Abingdon schools are on your doorstep.

Houses on Park Crescent and Park Road are larger and expensive as anything.

We recently moved to South Oxfordshire from France for private schools for our 3 yr old DD and looked around a lot of schools and villages as well as Abingdon and Oxford.

[GoMilou]

That post is for your family friends, of course. It's been a while since your first post that I completely forgot you are asking for somebody else.