Headington Girls School

[princesspeahead]

We are grappling with girls day schools in the Oxford area. Went to see Headington on an open day - need to go back solo as it was a bit of a zoo - but wondered if anyone had any up-to-date or local views on it. Also wondering what the views on the headmistress were - I found her rather a cold fish, but then she said a few things that were interesting and made me wonder if there was more there than I previously thought.

Anyway all views, however short, v much appreciated please!

[oxcat1]

I went to Headington, but then given I turned 30 earlier this month, but knowledge isn't likely to be the most up to date!

I had a lovely time. I found it a very supportive school, with good facilities and real respect for each and every pupil. When I was there, I think perhaps the quality of the teaching in the sciences and maths wasn't all it should have been, but I very much get the impression that has changed now.

My parents (both academics) looked at both OHS and Headington, but decided that the focus at OHS seemed to be solely on academic achievement, with other things dismissed as less important. They chose Headington for me, and I don't think I was held back academically - went to Oxbridge and currently completing a PhD.

Anyway, likely to be very out of date knowledge, but I have only been impressed when I've been back since.

Hope that helps.

[joyfuleyes]

My parents considered Headington for my sister (2 years ago) but preferred St Helen & St Katherine (in Abingdon not central Oxford though), they felt it was a better all round, very creative art/music/drama etc, they were very impressed with the headmistress. I've also heard that Headington is less academic than OHS, which has a reputation as a bit of an exam factory. (not sure if that is at all helpful, I don't know anyone who's actually there so it's all hearsay)

[StickLadyLove]

Hello,
I don't know if PPH is still reading this, but a good friend of mine teaches at Headington. She is excellent and from what I've seen when I've visited her (she used to live in) it's a well-organised and supportive school. I'm a teacher too so I know a bit about it all!

[princesspeahead]

Oh thank you very much everybody. Joyful - St H&K has a brand new HM hasn't it? As of this term. So that is a bit of an unknown quantity. I suppose it is too early for even your parents to have formed a judgement about her!
Thanks v much Oxcat and Sticklady - all good to hear. Esp that Sticklady's friend is an excellent teacher! So generally she is happy with how the school is run and going?

Thank you all v much.

[StickLadyLove]

Yes, very happy. She's been there many years now.
Good luck with whatever you decide - I've got a few years yet as my DC are only 3 and 19 months - but I'm already thinking about it all!!

[abraid]

It's well thought of in our area (we live near Abingdon). I have met several mothers of girls who go there and they think it is good, but not overwhelmingly academically pushy.

[abraid]

I also met a maths teacher and she is very nice.

I got the feeling that it was slightly less academically forward than St Helen's (which I'm looking at for my daughter, who is very keen on music). My husband isn't so enamored of the new head, but that may be unfair as we met her at parents' day, when she'd only been on board for a few weeks.

[princesspeahead]

yes the local feeling is that St H and St K is more academic, and they certainly select higher, but if you look at the results they are nigh on identical, which is interesting. Which makes me wonder if perhaps Headington hasn't got better value-add? Anyway overwhelmingly academically pushy isn't what would suit young peahead so maybe Headington is just what we are looking for.
Interesting about the head abraid. You were probably at the same parents day as us, but we had to leave before the head's speech. We looked around StH on an individual tour in the first couple of weeks of term, but the new head said she didn't want to meet parents yet as she was too new, which struck me as a little odd..
Thanks again everyone.

[abraid]

That is interesting. I must admit that if we were nearer to Oxford I'd be looking at Headington because of what I've heard about it, but we're almost into Wiltshire/Berkshire and it just starts to become too long a day, even with buses.

That IS odd about the StH head! Her speech was OK but slightly lacking in humour/personality. That might be a female head thing. I don't know why male heads or head of boys' schools feel more relaxed about injecting an occasional joke into their addresses but the women don't.

[princesspeahead]

I'm also near Abingdon, but more Frilford/Marcham way, so buses probably more feasible than where you are (I can guess!). There are Headington buses from Wootton and also Oxford Brookes buses from their Botley campus to their Headington campus which could work for us. Still means a 7.30 start.
Otherwise she'll have to board, probably at DH, which I think is an excellent school but I'd rather keep her at home...

[abraid]

I'd like to keep my girl at home too. If she went to Headington we'd have to do an occasional flexi-board. So we'll probably go for StH.

My daughter's aunts and grandmother all went to DH and it did cross my mind but I'm not sure we can really afford it. Also, my daughter is a bit of a street urchin (literally plays in the gutter outside the house, etc). DH looks beautiful but quite smart.

[princesspeahead]

DH is a bit glam london which doesn't appeal to me particularly, but the Head is FANTASTIC, such an excellent woman, and it is a very supportive school that really sends girls out confident that they can do anything. Which is what I want.
The fees are beyond horrendous though, I'll grant you that .

[abraid]

That is good about the head. So important: that inspiration.

[toobusytothink]

sorry but which one is DH?? Just jumping in for good info here ..

[princesspeahead]

downe house

[StanHouseMuir]

Which school did you finally decide on?

Is anyone else currently looking at Oxford Schools for 2011 entry?

[scepticalface]

What age are you looking at and what sex? Dragon School totally amazing for both up to 13 - really couldnt do better - inspirational teaching - but they have to be down for it v. young generally - although spaces do come up. Summerfields an Eton feed and boys a bit posher/wimpier. Oxford High mega academic - v. good head just left and gone to Abingdon - MCS school for boys VERY academic and hard to get into. St Edward's pretty sporty but also very 'looksist' and they worship at the altar of Jack Wills.

[StanHouseMuir]

My daughter is currently at a state school, y6, and we've thus far looked at Headington and Oxford High. It's doubtful we'd look at any Abindon School due to travelling time.

The impression I get is that Headington is less academic and place more emphasis on spots/clubs.

[scepticalface]

If you want very good academic results def. Oxford High - they do sports as well though plus music and drama good too.

[StanHouseMuir]

Is anyone else waiting for the offer letters from Headington? As far as I know, these will be sent out tomorrow.

[heathcliffswife]

Hi there. Am considering Headington for my twin daughters next Sept (2012)I just really wondered what to expect at the interview and then the subsequent exams. Do people do much prepping beforehand.... also wondering what the new Head will be like.... Any advice gratefully received!

[Feegle]

Maybe start a new thread this one is ancient.

[StanHouseMuir]

heathcliffswife:

The interview takes place during a taster day in November and lasts about 10-15 minutes. My daughter gave the impression that it was general questions about what subjects they liked, books, hobbies etc and a couple of questions where they had to look something up.

The exams took place on Jan 17/18th and are Common Entrance tests: Maths, English (comprehension), English (composition) and Science. They recognise that state school pupils may not be as knowledgeable in science as their prep school peers.

My daughter currently attends a state school and we just ran through a couple of past papers to get her used to the format (She was achieving level 5s in y5). We just received an offer of a place this morning.

[heathcliffswife]

Stanhouse Thats great, well done your dd. Is she thrilled?When she went for the Common Entrance how did she find it? Were there many going for it this year? Just wondered cos of the economy etc.... Mine are at a Prep School in Bucks so we are just beginning our selection process. Was thinking of taking a peak at Rye and also Pipers Corner. Definitely going to next Open morning in March. Well done yr daughter tho :)

[StanHouseMuir]

She's delighted, but we now have a tough decision to make as she was also offered a place at OHS.

She thought she did well in the tests (less so science), working through past papers helped a great deal.

As far as I know, even with this economy, they still had many more applications than places available (I didn't go to the parents' talk at the taster day)