Headington School Oxford?

[crosspelican]

Fishing for some opinions about Headington, please.

My older daughter is happily at the Wychwood, which is a great fit for her, but my younger daughter is a very different child - outgoing, sociable, competitive, academic and I want to keep an open mind about where she goes (independent, am not considering state).

I'm not keen on OHS because the vibe I get is that the competitiveness tips over into toxic a little too often, but I'm wondering about Headington. It would be a bit of a nuisance to get her there physically (compared to the much more convenient Wychwood!), and she wouldn't know anybody, but does anyone have a daughter there and might be willing to share current experience of the school?

Equally though, if you have a girl at the Wychwood, as I know a few here have, how do the really social, outgoing girls fare? Have I unfairly pigeonholed it as the school for sensitive shy types?

It's a good all-round school. It's not as academic as OHS, and it's not as artsy/sporty as St Edward's, but it fits snuggly in the middle.

My friend’s daughter goes there & she loves it - she’s very outgoing & sporty & there seems to be a lot of activities etc she can do. She’s very happy with it, made lots of friends etc. Sounds like it might be a good fit for your daughter.

I think if you know WW, you'll know the word 'competitive' does not feature much! How would your DD cope with the sport at WW?

I think if she would cope with a larger school, then Headington is a good all round school.
Would you consider Cherwell? That would make logistical sense??

Sorry! Just re-read your post. Not Cherwell!
Yes, Headington then.

i have at least a dozen friends/colleagues with girls at Headington who are all very happy with it. From what I have heard about it over the past decade or so, it is a great all rounder school and more inclusive in its approach to embracing strengths than OHS which is interested in results.

Plus I know two families with girls who started at OHS and moved to Headington, one as the pressure was too great (fine now) and the other as OHS suddenly said in yr6 they didn't think she was keeping up academically and they wouldn't keep her for senior school. She is now in sixth form having been predicted all 7-9s at GCSE but due to covid ended up with all 7-9s but no exams. i wonder if she was underperforming in late primary years due to OHS not being right in some way.

If I had a daughter (two boys here) for what it is worth, which may not be much, I would choose headington for junior then either continue there or wychwood if they needed that smaller very nurturing approach.

Thank you for these thoughts!

@1805 The Cherwell School is on our radar for 6th form, but for now, we are too far outside the catchment for it!

She'd be fine with the sport, or lack thereof, at WW. She's not team-sporty at all, although she is quite physical, but that's more directed towards solo sports. The absence of sport at the Wychwood isn't necessarily a problem. She's a funny little thing - very socially intelligent and academically able. She ties herself up in knots with FOMO, and I wonder sometimes if going to the Wychwood would let her just chill out!

She has OPINIONS, so it could be that I will just have to let her choose between the two. Hopefully in-person visits will be allowed in the autumn.

Generally she is going to die of happiness at an all girls school!

Well, maybe WW would be ok for her then. I don't need to sell WW to you, as you are already there!
But I like the way every girl is an individual, and no one gets over looked there. None of the 'getting lost in the middle'.

But you know her best. Would she prefer a bigger school?
Would you consider occasional boarding to ease the travel through Oxford every day?

Depending on where you are, could cycling be a way to make the journey independently in time? (Yes, the hill, I know, but it's doable especially on the cycle routes).

I am an old Headingtonian so not sure how much my opinion counts, but I do keep in touch with the school.
I would say it's very different to OHS, which was very academic even back then, and Wychwood. I was offered OHS at age 10 but went to Headington with my sister and loved it. It is a very international school and I met girls from all over the world who I have kept in touch with years later.
The school is and was academic but also sporty even back then. Quite a few of my peers are now QCs doctors etc.
Loved it and would recommend it if you can afford it.

just wonder if my DD takes the day school in Headington instead of boarding, would she become the minority in the school?

@2021newbiemum

just wonder if my DD takes the day school in Headington instead of boarding, would she become the minority in the school?

No. Other way 'round.

@WayDownInTheHole, thanks and good to know that

We changed school recently from Headington Prep to elsewhere. I would say Headington was a huge disappointment. It is a very large school. Marketing was fabulous when we were looking and a lot of money went into this. We felt our DD was lost in the school. Pastoral care was distinctly poor - we were promised the earth but they hardly knew our DD; teachers were over-worked and frazzled and frankly rude e.g. ' sorry only one of me and we have limited resources'. Parents evening were rushed, and teachers followed clear policy of returning calls but no true follow through. A shocking state of poor human resource but rich in facilities. Children had to petition for more lunch food. Not enough clubs to go round, frequent complaints were children not getting their preferred clubs; most were charged. Overall it depends on what you want - if it is facility - yes this is a nice prep school but individual attention, fantastic teaching (children were asked to google answers), true pastoral care sadly lacking. Also if you were looking for academic excellence, SHSK and OHS distinctly better due to better teaching though facilities in OHS possibly not as nice...Headington says it is selective academically but it is quite relaxed and academic levels are average....Very expensive for what it offers...