Oxfordshire independent secondary schools; OLA, Cokethorpe or somewhere else? Help please!

[Radhan7]

Hi I’m new to mumsnet and I’d love some advice from those more knowledgeable and experienced on the subject of independent secondary schools in Oxfordshire!

We have decided to send our kids to independent secondary schools for several reasons but the most pertinent being that our oldest DD has recently been diagnosed with dyslexia and we feel she would benefit from smaller class sizes and more opportunities outside of the classroom; We don’t want her to be defined by her dyslexic challenges. We feel she has she has lost her confidence at her fab state primary in her ability to learn but she IS bright and has an awesome ‘have a go’ attitude (and is generally very capable) when it comes to sporting or artistic activities. we are aiming for entry into year 7 in sept 2022.

We are Oxfordshire based and logistically OLA makes sense hugely, although we are also thinking of cokethorpe however are open to any suggestions from those in the know!

For us exam results aren’t important and I truly mean that, we have no interest in hot housy schools that’s just not us! A creative approach to teaching and learning and supportive teachers who value each child are definitely our priorities as well as plentiful opportunities to get stuck in with activities outside of the classroom! DD has expressed a preference for a co-Ed school if possible...

This is a totally new area for us as neither myself or my husband went to private schools and we are fairly new to the area... It’s also made harder by the usual school tours/open days not going ahead over the past year due to covid.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

Hi, have a look at Wychwood, only girls, but perfect for everything else you have mentioned.
Message me if you would like to know anything else!

St Edward’s? You would have to find a prep (plenty of choice) for two years but that would give you chance to consider your options anyway.

I was going to suggest Wychwood too.

Lovely lovely school, brilliant at picking girls back up from negative school experiences, and a very personalised approach. Because it is so small, the teachers do genuinely know each girl, and are prepared to tweek the curriculum to suit individual girls. Lots of 1-2-1 help given when needed.
Weekly or Flexie boarding v popular.

I hear lovely things about Wychwood but it really is tiny - I think there are fewer pupils (approximately 120 in the whole school) than at an average state primary. Would that be an positive or negative for your daughter?

It might be the wrong side of Oxfordshire for you but another Co-Ed to consider is Bloxham. It isn’t an academic hothouse but offers plenty of sport, art, drama and music. It also offers flexi-boarding and other options. I think there are about 500 children on roll.

Thanks everyone for your posts!
I have heard brilliant things about wychwood too - am slightly worried it may be too small - my girl is quite outgoing and currently at a large primary so I did wonder if the fit would be right. Having said that their support and appreciation of the individual student sounds absolutely outstanding so I will definitely look further into wychwood.

I am still interested in our Lady’s but it’s very hard to find up to date experiences of this school - does anyone have any info they can share? The pool is a big draw as is the location but their website isn’t exactly inspiring and their online open day was a bit erm flimsy! Perhaps they are just rubbish at promoting themselves??

And bloxham! Hadn’t thought of that one!

Sibford is also great with dyslexia or Kingham hill?

Not heard great things about OLA. Actually a few girls have moved to Wychwood from there lately.

Don’t know the reason for their moves apart from they were unhappy.

Hi, this is my first ever post, because I would really like to encourage you to consider OLA, especially given your priorities. My son is in Y9 there and benefits exactly from what you are looking for; supportive learning in a creative, co-ed environment. Pastoral care at OLA is top priority and it is all about having a go. I have been advised to put my daughter (Y5) forward for the 'hot housy' girls schools but I already feel fairly confident I will send her to OLA too where I know she will feel supported and encouraged in a non competitive but stimilating environment. Girls may leave to go to other schools, but it also works the other way, I know of girls who have been burnt out at more competitive Oxford schools who go on to thrive at OLA where they are given the breathing space to be their own person. My friends' son left an Oxford boys Senior School to go to OLA because of their treatment over his dyslexia (they are v supportive of SEN needs) and he went on to get grades 8 at OLA in English. I can imagine their open day not being the best, they are not a flash school but nor are they trying to be, its what's on the inside at OLA and I hope you can visit the inside soon! PS yes, they are in that swimming pool a lot!

Friends of mine with a daughter who went to OLA were very pleased with the pastoral care and felt the school really found out what their slightly quirky daughter was good at and encouraged her. Turns out that was drama. And she was very bright and perhaps hadn't been recognised as such before. I saw her blossom.

Also, I looked round Wychwood a couple of years ago which as others mentioned, is really lovely and I can imagine brilliant at turning girls around. If I had a shy retiring daughter I would definitely consider it but a) boys are her friends and b) yes it is very small! Forgot to say too - do message me re OLA if you would like to.

OLA used to be a lovely school but from what I have heard from people connected to the school it is not the happiest place currently. They have had major changes and last year permanently closed down half of the Lower school classes without any parental discussion. It’s a real shame.

Cokethorpe suits my son well. It’s not academically pushy and seems to have a genuinely caring pastoral team. The grounds are really beautiful, too. Non-sporty kids are given fun alternatives like den building and fire making up to Year 9.

Both of my DDs went to Wychwood. One is shy, the other is confident and outgoing. They both enjoyed their time there and did well. DD2 is dyslexic and says that the support was great.

If you do decide Wychwood, I’ve got loads of uniform you can have.

If it is accessible for you, Bloxham is definitely worth a look. They offer a specific dyslexic focus if needed. Generally very pastorally supportive. Strong sports , drama and arts. A gentle school with a wide range of activities offered.

Tudor Hall are very good too. But to my mind Wychwood is a lovely little school. You walk in there and it feels like family. It's so warm and welcoming and the head teacher is wonderful.

Thank you so much everyone for such insightful replies!

I hadn’t really thought of Tudor hall as I had heard it was very posh and perhaps we would not be the right family! Perhaps this is very outdated??

Does anyone know what the bus provision is like for schools to kingham/bloxham/Tudor hall from the Abingdon end of Oxfordshire? We’d definitely have to rely on such a service if we looked at schools that end of the county...

The thing that surprised me about a tiny school like Wychwood, was that initially I thought the opportunities for extra curricular stuff would be limited. But, what actually happens, is that girls get to do things they wouldn't normally be picked for at a larger school.

I think Bloxham has a minibus service from Oxford and it is worth asking if they will go a little further as it’s a buyers’ market. Tudor Hall is not as grand as its reputation and again I know lots of happy children there - it is on the expensive side though. If you can stand the commute (on the long side from Abingdon) and want co-ed, Bloxham would get my vote. As others have said, I heard that OLA closed its pre-prep department very suddenly. This might be a sound business decision (pre-preps often lose money for a school as a whole) but it might be a sign of stormy waters and something to bear in mind. Perhaps the poster with children at OLA can give some insight?

Muddy Stilettos do some great reviews of the schools you are considering if you haven’t seen them online. Also, if you ask, some head teachers might show you around their schools in the holidays even if they can’t in term time. Most schools will be delighted to gain another pupil so don’t feel you have to rush. It must also be very reassuring to see how all the schools you mentioned have their supporters.

Another one to consider is Cranford House - co-ed now in the senior school as well as the juniors. Might suit depending on which side of Abingdon you are based. Very supportive and nurturing and not at all a hot house and yet gets very good grades given it is non selective.