Founded in 1957, Cokethorpe School provides a research-informed education to roughly 630 boys and girls aged four to 18 in a dynamic and vigorous day school environment. Set in 150 acres of parkland, the School sits two miles from Witney and just ten from Oxford.
Aims. The Cokethorpe community is built upon trust, belonging and mutual respect. Through the deep-rooted, co-educational principles, they foster the empathy to connect, the responsibility to reflect, the courage to embrace challenge and the confidence to lead with integrity.
They are driven by a shared commitment: to inspire and guide young people to discover their passions, to pursue excellence and to learn from mistakes. Learning and teaching at Cokethorpe is rigorous, dynamic and research-informed, yet always personal. They recognise that progress is individual, and every journey matters.
They value their beautiful landscape; it is a living part of their ethos. In these green spaces, pupils can both find calm and a breadth of opportunities for creativity, exploration and personal growth.
They believe in nurturing each and every pupil, such that they flourish into grounded young adults, equipped with self-belief, good judgement and a strong sense of purpose. Not just for themselves – but for the world that they will help shape.
Curriculum. While the National Curriculum is broadly followed throughout the Prep School and on to GCSE, there is plenty of space afforded to push beyond, providing ample scope for intellectual challenge and curiosity to flourish with our research-informed approach to Learning and Teaching. An exceptional breadth of subjects is offered at age groups across the Prep and Senior Schools.
At GCSE, all pupils study core subjects of English, Maths and Science and have a wide choice of additional subject options. Sixth Form students typically choose to either study three subjects at A level and complete the EPQ or select four A level subjects. A further group opt to follow the Extended Diploma in Business programme. The small size of teaching groups is particularly conducive to rigorous individual attention and encouragement. Students can select from 24 subjects for Sixth Form, including: Politics, Economics, Latin, Computer Science, Further Mathematics, Psychology and Sociology.
Admissions. The main entry points are: Reception (4+), First Form (11+), Third Form (13+) and Sixth Form (16+). Places in other year groups are considered, depending on availability. For the specific requirements of each entry point, please refer to the School’s website.
Bursaries and scholarships. Bursaries are means-tested awards offering financial assistance related to the income and financial position of the pupil’s family and, where relevant, how it arose. Awards are made at the discretion of the Head in consultation with the Bursar and in accordance with the policy agreed by the Board of Governors. A pupil who is the subject of an award is required to work hard, to contribute positively to the life of the School, to be a credit to the School and to set a good example to other pupils. Concessions for families with three or more children at Cokethorpe are offered as sibling discounts of up to 15%.
Setting. The elegant Queen Anne Mansion House is both home to the Prep School and entrance to myriad facilities. A range of modern buildings host the Senior School’s academic endeavours around a series of quads, and beyond, a 200-seat black-box theatre is the perfect setting for the Performing Arts and visiting speakers. The core sports are complemented by the Outdoor Education programme, which includes clay pigeon shooting, climbing, sailing, and a popular and hugely successful kayaking programme. The extensive co-curricular programme (known as ‘AOBs’) plays a prominent part in a pupil’s timetable and includes over 100 weekly activities.
Fees per term (2025-2026). Prep School: Reception–Year 2 £6,041, Years 3–4 £6,480, Years 5–6 £6,757.
Senior School: First and Second Form £9,391, Third Form to Upper Sixth £9,566.
Fees include lunch. Extras are kept to a minimum.
Charitable status. Cokethorpe Educational Trust Limited is a Registered Charity, number 309650.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
Chair: Mr J Bennett, BSc
Mr Walé Adepoju, BEng Hons, MSc
Mr Mark Bishop, BSc Hons, FCA
Mrs Nicola Cammack
The Right Rev C Fletcher*
Dr Nancy Mudenyo Hunt
Dr W W Lau, PhD, MSc, BSc
Mrs J Norris, BA Hons, DipTP, MSc, MRTPI
Mr A Nott, BA, PGCE
Mrs G Waite, BSc Hons
Mr K Walton Cert Ed
Mr M R Wannell BA Hons, FCCA
Governor Emeritus: Mr M St John Parker, MA
Head: Dr S B Squire, DPhil, MA, PGCE, NPQH
Deputy Head: Mr J C Stevens, BEng, FRSA
Bursar: Mrs H J Stapleton, FCCA
Head of Prep School: Mrs S A Orton, BA, PGCE, SpLD Cert
Director of Studies: Mr A E Uglow, BA, PGCE
Director of Co-Curricular: Mr G J Sheer, BA, PGCE
Head of Sixth Form: Mr E J Tolputt, BA, MA, MEng
Deputy Head of Sixth Form: Mrs M H D Cooper, BA, PGCE
Deputy Head of Sixth Form: Mr A P Gale, BSc, PGCE
Housemasters and Housemistresses:
Feilden: Mr J E Hughes, BA, BMus, MBA
Gascoigne: Mr O L Richards, BA, MA
Harcourt: Miss A M Woodcock, BSc
Queen Anne: Mrs L Bowden, BSc, QTS GTP
Swift: M Joiner, BSc, MA, PGCE
Vanbrugh: Ms L A Mountain, MA, PGCE
Lower House: Mrs A C Prior, BA
Heads of Departments:
Art: Ms E F Williams, BA, PGCE
Biology: Mrs E Smith BSc, PGSE
Business Studies and Economics: Mrs N Silversides, BEd, CELTA
Chemistry: Dr E L Regardsoe BSc, D.Phil, PGCE, MRSC
Classics: Mr S Oliver, BA, MLitt, PGCE
Design Technology: Mrs H V Brown, BA, PGCE
Drama: Mrs C L Hooper, Dip Act, DCL
English: Mr S P Howells, BA, NPQLT
Geography: Mr J E Bown, BSc, PGCE
History: Mr C M Tyer, BA, MSt, PGCE
Learning Development: Mrs S J Arbuckle, BA, PGCE, NASENCO
Mathematics: Mr A G M Ladell-Stuart, MMath, PGCE
Modern Foreign Languages: Miss M Boubkari, BA, PGCE
Music: Mr B L Watson, BA, PGCE
Physical Education: Mr J P Gallagher, BSc, MA, PGDipEd
Physics: Mrs C S Perkin BSc, PGCE
Psychology and Sociology: Mrs K J Rogers, BSc, PGCE
Science: Dr A J Steventon, BSc, BMBS, PGA, QTS
Theology: Mr T J Walwyn, BA, PGCE