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Headington School

Headington Rye Oxford is an independent day and boarding school in Oxford for girls and boys aged 3-11 and girls aged 11-18.

OxfordshireAll ThroughCo EdAges 3–18Both31 pupils
Day fees
£23,364
How competitive entry is
School Exam + InterviewCompetitive entry
Pupils
31
Founded
1915
Next deadline
Assessment: 7 Nov 2026
Updated 3 months agosource
Houseroom Index 2026
68.0/100· ranked #66 of UK independents
78% data confidence·v2026.4.0
How is this calculated? →
Pillar breakdown
Academic outcomes70
Destinations & outcomes61
Future-readiness55
Pastoral & wellbeing70
Pupil flourishing65
Value-add62
Access & breadth90
Parent sentiment70
External consensus70

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Our take

Independent girls senior school in Oxfordshire for ages 11–18, day or boarding. Selective entry.

Best for
Who thrives here
  • Families seeking a senior school for ages 11–18, with thinking already on 11+ or 13+ entry.
  • Parents who want a single-sex environment for their daughter.
  • Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered.
  • Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
Watch-outs
Know before applying
  • Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
  • SEND provision isn't documented in our profile. If your child has an EHCP or specific learning needs, ask admissions about case-by-case capacity before applying.
  • Single-sex (girls). Comfortable for some children, less so for others — worth a visit on a normal teaching day rather than only an open-day showcase.
AI-generated guidance

Application timeline

No admissions stage dates confirmed yet. Save this school to be notified when dates are published.

Open dayNot published
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Registration opensNot published
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Registration closesNot published
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Bursary deadlineNot published
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AssessmentNot published
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InterviewNot published
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OffersNot published
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Acceptance deadlineNot published
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Open events

Open Morning
Sat, 3 Oct 2026
Prep School
Prep School Open Morning
Open Morning
Sat, 3 Oct 2026
10:00 am
Prep Open Morning
Dates to be confirmed
Eventweek commencing Monday 25th January 2027
Dates TBC
Eventweek commencing Monday 9th November 2026
Dates TBC
EventSaturday 21st November 2026
Dates TBC
EventSaturday 7th November 2026
Dates TBC
Open Morning at Headington SchoolSaturday in October - see website for dates
Dates TBC
Showcase Saturday Open MorningOctober (annual)
Dates TBC

Private tours and additional visits available by arrangement — contact admissions to arrange.

Talks & tasters

Talks, tasters and other dated events
DateEventType
Sat, 3 Oct 2026Prep School Open MorningOpen Morning
Sat, 3 Oct 2026Prep Open MorningOpen Morning

Fees

£28,038per year · Day · 2026-27
VAT-inclusive estimate £28,038Published as VAT-inclusive7-year projection £221,452
vs London avg (£24,000)17% above
By entry point · 2026/2027
7+£19,464
16+£23,364
Nursery£5,880
Year 7£23,364

Bursaries & Scholarships

About the head

Fight the good fight of faith

Mrs Caroline Jordan is the Headmistress, leading Headington Rye Oxford with a commitment to excellence and a vibrant, welcoming community.

Headington Rye Oxford aspires for any girl with the ability to win a place to be able to do so, committed to providing an excellent education and supporting bursaries to enable access.

curiouscreativeconfidentcollaborativecompassionatecourageous

Distinctive features

Scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+

Special Awards programme for outstanding candidates at 16+

Bursary Fund to support access for promising pupils

Activities & co-curricular

sport

HockeyGymNetballStrength and ConditioningDanceSwimmingVolleyballYogaCricketGymnasticsFootballRowingStep and ToneTennisSports Teams and ClubsZumbaCheerleadingRubbish RunnersBadmintonRock ClimbingTrampoliningRowing (elite)Sport (multiple teams)AthleticsBasketballCross CountryHandballLacrosse

music

Music (instrumental lessons, ensembles)Musical Ensembles and ChoirsMusical ensembles and choirs

drama

DanceTheatre Tech ClubSpeech and Drama individual lessonsFilm Club

academic club

Lego clubHot Spot journalismCoder DojoHot Spot JournalismPhilosophy CafePsychology SocietyDebatingDissection ClubEureka ScienceLaw SocietyLiterary SocietyYoung EnterpriseBook ClubCreative Writing ClubStudent RoboticsLanguages clubsCoding / ComputingFilm Club

service

Combined Cadet ForceEco committeeEco CommitteeDuke of EdinburghAmnesty Group

other

Hot Spot journalismRubbish RunnersBook Club60+ clubs and activities (Prep)Film Club

Facilities

sports

Floodlit Tennis Courts (off-site)Floodlit Tennis courts (off-site)Sports hallSports hall / gymPlaying fieldsLarge, well-equipped gymNetball Court25m Indoor Swimming Pool (off-site)Dance and Fitness Centre (off-site)Dance & Fitness CentreLarge well-equipped gymNetball courtLarge gym25m indoor swimming pool (off-site)Floodlit all-weather Astroturf pitches (off-site)Swimming PoolAstro turf pitches (floodlit all-weather)Tennis courts (floodlit)Sports hall / gymnasiumLarge Well-Equipped GymFloodlit All-Weather Astroturf Pitches (off-site)Playing FieldsAstro turf pitches

arts

Performance space / 300-seat auditorium with racked seating, full lighting rigging, stage and backstageTwo Music RoomsTwo Fully-Equipped Music Rooms300 seat auditoriumMusic practice roomsPerformance space with sprung floorPerformance space and music schoolSpecialist Art and Design Technology Facilities with Dedicated Art RoomMusic Practice RoomsPerformance Space with Sprung FloorSpecialist art and design technology facilities300 Seat Auditorium with Racked SeatingSpecialist Art RoomTwo fully-equipped Music RoomsPerformance spaceMusic schoolTheatreArt RoomMusic school / two fully-equipped Music RoomsMusic practice rooms for individual lessonsTheatre (300-seat auditorium with racked seating, full lighting rigging)Dance studioMusic school / music rooms (two classroom music rooms + practice rooms)

boarding

Dining room (colourful, children-focused design with boardgame floor)Sixth Form Centre

academic

LibraryLibrary with cataloguing system, dedicated work stations, quiet reading spaceLibrary with cataloguing system and dedicated workstationsWoodwork roomForest School areaSpecialist science facilitiesForest School siteFood and technology kitchen

wellbeing

Chapel RoomForest School siteDining room with colourful fairytale environmentDining Room

Latest exam results

Outcomes2022 A-LEVELS
71.6
of all A Level grades were A*-A
36.7
achieving the top A* grade
84
secured their first choice university offers
70
going to Russell Group universities
8
to overseas universities

In 2022, , with . , with and

95%
A-level A*–A
99%
GCSE 9–7

Data from 2025 results

Where leavers go

2025
Oxbridge6
Russell Group9
US Ivy3
Medicine8
Top universities (2025)
Durham
Bristol
UCL
Cambridge
Oxford
King's College London
Cardiff
Edinburgh

Recent coverage

In 2025, Headington Rye Oxford achieved an A-Level pass rate of 58% at A*-A and 83% at A*-B. At GCSE level, 77% of students attained grades 9-7. In January 2026, the Independent Schools Inspectorate recognized the school's co-curricular program as a "significant strength," highlighting its positive impact on students' physical, mental, and emotional health. The school has also undertaken several building projects, including the construction of a new two-storey Music School, a three-storey ICT building, and a state-of-the-art two-storey Dance and Fitness Centre.

Notable alumni

Emily Watson (actress)Olivia Colman (actress)Sophie Hunter (theatre director)
Recommended next step

Open-day dates not yet published

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Fit for your child

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House system

DavenportHillstowNapierCelia MarshMacGregor

Wellbeing

Counselling

Headington Prep School prioritises pupil wellbeing through a warm, family atmosphere and supportive pastoral care. Pupils benefit from form teachers, learning assistants, counsellors, a health and wellbeing assistant, and access to the Senior School’s Health Centre. The school fosters resilience, self-respect, and social skills in a caring environment.

Inspection

Isi 17 Jan 2023

2 inspection reports on file.

Not explicitly stated
  • Isi · Educational Quality15 Jan 2023Excellent
Read full ISI report →

Term dates 2025-26

autumn4 Sept 202510 Dec 2025Half-term 17 Oct 2025–2 Nov 2025
spring5 Jan 202627 Mar 2026Half-term 12 Feb 2026–22 Feb 2026
summer20 Apr 20264 Jul 2026Half-term 21 May 2026–31 May 2026

Schools like Headington School

Ranked by semantic similarity across curriculum, ethos, intake and admissions style. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.

72%

Abingdon School

Vale of White Horse · Senior · Ages 11–18
£28,500
68%

Sherborne Girls

Dorset · Ages 11–18
£35,850
68%

Woldingham School

Tandridge · Senior · Ages 11–18
£24,990 – £35,178
67%

Downe House

West Berkshire · Senior · Ages 11–18
£33,588
65%

Radley College

Vale of White Horse · Senior · Ages 11–18
Fees TBC
65%

Haileybury

East Hertfordshire · Senior · Ages 7–18
£28,605 – £43,035

Questions parents ask

Common questions about Headington School, answered from this school’s structured profile data. Always confirm specifics with admissions before applying.

What kind of child is Headington School best for?+

Headington School suits: Families seeking a senior school for ages 11–18, with thinking already on 11+ or 13+ entry; Parents who want a single-sex environment for their daughter; Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered; Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.

How does admissions work?+

Admissions are selective — expect an entrance assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early. See the admissions timeline above for confirmed dates.

Are fees published?+

Yes — see the Fees section on this page. Add extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition, registration fees) on top of the base figure before budgeting.

Does the school support SEND?+

Some SEND provision is documented in our profile, but specific conditions supported aren't itemised. Contact admissions for details before applying.

Are there open days?+

8 upcoming open days or tours — see the admissions timeline. Booking is usually required.

How do I contact admissions?+

phone on Not recorded or the enquiry form on this page. Reference your child's age and intended entry year in the first message.

What similar schools should I compare?+

We've ranked 6 schools by semantic similarity to Headington School — see the "Schools like Headington School" grid on this page. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.

Enrichment last updated 11 May 2026. Sources include the school’s official site, Wikipedia, Good Schools Guide, Tatler, and Sunday Times Parent Power.

Reviews

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Data
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Frequently asked questions

How much are the fees at Headington School?
Day fees at Headington School range from £5,880 to £30,783 per year. Boarding fees range from £31,500 to £56,646 per year.
What ages does Headington School take?
Headington School takes pupils from age 3 to 18.
Is Headington School a day or boarding school?
Headington School offers both day and boarding places.
Is Headington School co-educational or single-sex?
Headington School is co-educational, taking both boys and girls.
Where is Headington School?
Headington School is in Oxfordshire, OX10 8HH.

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