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Secondary education

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Original poster

Oxford High School - new head?

9 replies

EmilyinOxford · 24/02/2023 18:06

We're moving to Oxford soon, and have two very bright, sporty girls. Looking around it feels like the Oxford High School would be a good fit (Headington is more of a hike from where we'll be) and I remember reading about it on here in the past, last time this was on the cards.

I understand that after a bit of turbulence they have a lovely new head and things have settled down? Is that fair to say? I'd love to have the perspectives of any current parents there. Both my girls are very academically able, but is that enough? What's the vibe like? Are the teachers alert, on a pastoral level?

What's it like making friends when you're joining a non-year-7 year?

I've heard such varied things over the years, but I've also seen threads with wellmeaning posters saying "My girls went there in the 80's and were very happy!" which is great to know but also not massively helpful for a child who might be starting in 2023. :)

OP posts:
Original poster
EmilyinOxford · 24/02/2023 18:10

(Also if you are in the marketing dept for a school and pretending to be a parent on these threads, it really does show, you know! 👀I can read your marketing on your website for myself. I'd love to hear from parents right now.)

OP posts:
Reportingbackfromtheopenday · 25/02/2023 22:21

I don’t have a child there, but just in case this is useful information, I went to an Open Day there recently. I thought the Head seemed brilliant - really inspirational.

However… when I explained to another member of staff that my (actually pretty academic) DD had recently been diagnosed as having some mild additional needs, she got this terrified look in her eyes, and stuttered, “Well, er, er, um, er, it’s not impossible [that she could get in]…”. Told me everything I needed to know - and contrasted hugely with the brilliant reactions of the Head of St Helen’s and St Katherine’s and the Deputy Head of Headington, each of whom didn’t bat an eyelid when I had the same conversation with them, and talked about how they were absolutely set up to allow laptops in class etc.

You might say that your girls don’t have any additional needs (and I absolutely hope for their sakes that that continues to be the case), but to be absolutely honest, I would have said the same thing six months ago.

It was a shame, really - I really wanted to like it, but it didn’t exactly fill me with a warm, fuzzy feeling!

Original poster
EmilyinOxford · 25/02/2023 22:56

Thank you @Reportingbackfromtheopenday - that’s really good to know. To be honest I had not looked at Helen & Kats, but will give it some thought.

OP posts:
mumofthree22 · 26/02/2023 22:51

My daughter is in her 2nd year at St Helens and Katherine's - it's an amazing school. She had offers from Oxford High and Headington but loved the feel of HelKats. The staff, head and girls all get on amazing well and has fantastic teaching, great support and extra curriculum activities.School Transport is great too.

Passerillage · 27/02/2023 15:29

Watching with interest. I hope some OHS parents come along.

4030ludders · 28/02/2023 14:58

I was 100% committed to my DD going to HelKats but she much preferred OXHS. Over time I have come to accept that it is going to be a better fit for her. It has a more interesting vibe than HelKats. OXHS has created a separate but attached Sixth Form College which is pretty cool. I can see my daughter being very happy there. She will be joining in Sept '2023 not knowing anyone and I am confident she will be supported in settling in. She is bright, very sporty, and also into maths, history and art. I loved the Head at HelKats but I can see that the new Head at OXHS really wants to create energy and change. I'm pretty optimistic. I know a parent with a child in Year 7 there and he says his daughter is very happy indeed.

4030ludders · 28/02/2023 15:01

Reportingbackfromtheopenday · 25/02/2023 22:21

I don’t have a child there, but just in case this is useful information, I went to an Open Day there recently. I thought the Head seemed brilliant - really inspirational.

However… when I explained to another member of staff that my (actually pretty academic) DD had recently been diagnosed as having some mild additional needs, she got this terrified look in her eyes, and stuttered, “Well, er, er, um, er, it’s not impossible [that she could get in]…”. Told me everything I needed to know - and contrasted hugely with the brilliant reactions of the Head of St Helen’s and St Katherine’s and the Deputy Head of Headington, each of whom didn’t bat an eyelid when I had the same conversation with them, and talked about how they were absolutely set up to allow laptops in class etc.

You might say that your girls don’t have any additional needs (and I absolutely hope for their sakes that that continues to be the case), but to be absolutely honest, I would have said the same thing six months ago.

It was a shame, really - I really wanted to like it, but it didn’t exactly fill me with a warm, fuzzy feeling!

I'm not sure I agree with this comment about additional needs. My DD is a very poor speller with bad handwriting but good at other subjects. We advised them of this in the entrance exam process and the whole thing was done via computers which actually helped her. So don't agree with this comment - obviously it would depend on how academic the child is overall, since it is a competitive selection, just as Headington and StH are.

flowergirly13 · 29/05/2023 22:38

Stay well away from Oxford High, my daughter had an awful 9 years of being told she was not good enough by both her own teachers and students. She was not made into an independent woman she was only made to be anxious and self conscious. There is absolutely NO pastoral care whatsoever and if you are not the brightest of everyone you feel like nothing. I would recommend Wychwood or D’overbroecks as 2 much more inclusive and supportive highly achieving schools. We moved her to Cherwell (local state school) and it’s so much better than any independent school we looked at so I would suggest looking into that as well because it has a great proportion of middle class students, and my DD’s grates are much better at state school that at private school

flowergirly13 · 29/05/2023 22:41

FYI she is in year 11now and was part of OHS from 2011-2020, she moved in year 9

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