Oxfordshire private school recommendations for DD

[ElfineHawkMonitor]

I’m looking for private secondary recommendations in and around Oxford for my DD for year 7 entry (she is currently in year 5). She goes to a village primary school which she loves, and she is bright but not at all competitive. Her passion is art and she is considered quiet until she feels comfortable when she becomes great fun for friends and teachers. She is incredibly sweet and very happy at primary school. Her brother in Yr 6 is currently applying for MCS and Abingdon. We live near Charlbury.
I’ve heard some horror stories about some of the girls’ schools about eg eating disorders, snobbery, intense pressure, and am looking for a school where she could continue to develop her confidence in her own quirky arty groove. It doesn’t have to be single sex (or even private if we were in catchment). Any suggestions very welcome.

Tudor Hall sounds like it would suit her.

Cokethorp near Witney is nice, in you direction.

Rye St Anthony in Oxford itself, is small and very nurturing.

Headington School sounds like it would be a good fit too.

We’ve heard mixed reviews of Headington from former parents - what’s your impression of it?

I thought Headington was super competetive am with eating disorders galore

@ElfineHawkMonitor No personal experience as a parent, but I have many friends with DDs there, and they are all very happy with it. Actually, not heard any negatives tbh. I’m considering it for my DD, but my concern is that it could be too big. Swayed towards it though by positives from friends with DDs there…

I know a few that have been/ go. If you’re very driven, competitive and outgoing, then you’ll fit. If not the chances are you’ll struggle, the pastoral care, when it comes to friendship issues I hear is poor.

Tudor Hall if you can make the location work.

Wychwood
Rye st Anthony
D’overbroecks

These lack the ‘hot house’ type reputation and are more well thought of for pastoral care and inclusivity.

Tudor Hall for nurturing environment no child gets left behind amazing results given not overly selective starting point.
d’Overbroecks for nurturing & super friendly environment & superb teachers there’s a real buzz being in Jericho.

I have heard only positive things about Wychwood.

Any thoughts on Bloxham?

Bloxham is a nice school. Good for all-rounders. Nice ethos and good people ( staff and families)

I've heard Bloxham is very sporty. I've only heard good things about Wychwood. My DDs are both at Headington and both very happy. I have heard from my eldest that some girls in her year (Y9) have eating disorders, but I think the odds are higher for eating disorders in an all girls school. The facilities at Headington were what swayed it for us. One DD is very arty and the other very into drama. Headington is very big on pastoral care and mental health, and they have just hired a "director of wellbeing" in addition to the deputy head of pastoral. I think they have set up a wellbeing room where the kids can go at anytime of the day to get support.

@olympicsrock we are just going through the admissions process for Bloxham for yr9 start. We are avoiding highly selective pressurised school options around Oxford for DS1 who has some mild additional needs. Above average academically but lower 1/3 at his selective prep school, likes some sports but not great at them, enjoys drama. Looking for good academics(accepting may not be stellar given broad intake), inclusive, opportunities to do variety of interesting activities and the ability to be a little flexible if needed . Good to see your comment as generally struggling to find anyone who knows Bloxham and can give their view!

DD knew two girls at Wychwood - one loved it because it was "cosy and nurturing" the other not so keen as a "bit claustrophobic". So be sure it's the right fit for your daughter's personality.

If you're looking at Abingdon School for DS why not look at Our Lady's in Abingdon? The kids I know who went there (who have just left) all seemed happy and were quite a varied bunch.

Oxford High School and Headington are the best academically but not necessarily the most pastorally supportive schools.
Wychwood has the reputation of being "nice but dim". That may not be fair any more but it was in my day. Certainly it has a good pastoral reputation but not particularly academic.
If you want to go to the best school in Oxfordshire its Cherwell which is a comprehensive but you have to basically be sitting on top of it catchment-wise.
Bloxham is sporty and a bit Sloane.

another shout for Wychwood. Loads of art stuff going on there, including photography and textiles as well as art. Girls get loads of opportunities there because it's so small.

Loads of money being poured into the school now too from the new investor.

Oh, WW completely mixed academically. Has medicine and Oxbridge offers recently.

What about Sibford?

Bloxham is also good for arty types. Art and Theatre studies particularly strong.

Another call for the Wychwood. Good mix of girls, lovely art department with textiles too (and photography offered as a GCSE). Some very very talented artists there. Very friendly school, great pastoral care, and not too far from MCS for the commute.

As for "nice but dim" - it's not entirely fair. It's mixed ability, like a state school would be, but there is plenty of academic stretch for those so inclined, and this is reflected in their spread of results.

The difficulty is that the highly academic schools for girls in Oxford are also associated with quite toxic levels of pressure on the girls and all the attendant issues that brings, such as eating disorders, so you can't really win!