We are pleased to announce we have won Independent Girls’ School of the Year at the Independent School Parent awards.
Oxford High School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18 years. Founded in 1875, it is Oxford’s oldest girls’ school. The school is located across three sites in Summertown in north Oxford, all within walking distance of each other. It is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) which is at the forefront of educational innovation, teaching over 20,000 girls across the UK in 25 schools, as the country’s leading network of independent girls’ schools.
At Oxford High School, we empower each and every student to be whoever they want to be. Those who find their way here are curious, outward-looking and sparky; they delight in learning and questioning, they care about the world in which we live and are fearless in the pursuit of their passions. Whether a Sixth Former organising a virtual conference and extending the invitation to other schools throughout the UK, or a Year 7 stepping up to their very first leadership role, our students embrace challenge and take every opportunity to realise their goals and aspirations, whatever they might be. With the unwavering support of their teachers and peers, OHS students forge their own paths in the world and continually push themselves to go beyond.
In the 2023 inspection report, the school was rated as ‘excellent’ in all areas.
Pupil numbers. 785: Prep School 223, Senior School & Sixth Form 562.
The Senior School is extremely well resourced with a sports hall, indoor swimming pool, The Mary Warnock School of Music, separate purpose-built centres for all other subjects, and well-equipped ICT areas. Our new Sixth Form, Arts, and Wellbeing Centre – the Ada Benson Building – has state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces, dedicated campus-style areas for Sixth Formers, an auditorium for talks, lectures, NT-Live events, and new teaching and gallery spaces for the Art Department. Students from the Prep sites have regular access to facilities in the Senior School.
Curriculum and co-curriculum. The OHS Curriculum is one that inspires as well as challenges, and girls are well prepared for their GCSEs and A levels. With 27 subjects to choose from, there is always something to suit a student’s interests, and their timetable is individually tailored around their choice of subjects. The school offers eight languages including Latin and Ancient Greek. About 90% of our Year 13s secure places at top Russell Group universities, with 10% of the year group going on to study Medicine and 1 in 5 girls regularly proceed to Oxbridge, as well as leading institutions for art, music, and the performing arts.
Many girls take examinations in Music and Speech & Drama, and multiple productions are staged each year alongside concerts at venues including the Sheldonian Theatre and Oxford Town Hall. Girls also participate in a wealth of co-curricular activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Young Enterprise and the school’s own sporting partnership, Girls on the Ball. Clubs are offered in robotics, poetry, astronomy, genome analysis and bee-keeping, to name a few. In the Sixth Form, the 360 Programme offers an innovative and academically challenging programme to prepare girls for life at university and beyond, supported by the GDST’s extensive alumnae network.
Girls at the Oxford High Prep School (OHPS) also enjoy a highly varied and engaging curriculum, such as the Singapore Mathematics programme and their weekly Global Studies lessons. The PE curriculum introduces girls to a multitude of sports such as gymnastics, athletics, hockey and cricket, to name but a few. Drama and Music are a key part of life at OHPSl. Every girl is encouraged to participate in one of the many ensembles and to perform in the school plays. The girls develop great confidence and they thoroughly enjoy it.
In recent years, the Prep School has launched its Future Ready Programme, which aims to build well-rounded young people. Pupils work through progressive levels and complete a series of age-appropriate tasks, working towards the achievement of badges. The tasks are varied and wide-ranging, spanning academia, sustainability, life skills and personal development.
Admissions. The main points of entry are at Reception, Year 3, Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12. Applicants are also able to join the school at other entry points if there are places available. Please contact our Admissions team for details (admissions@oxf.gdst.net or 01865 478678). Fees per term (from January 2025). Reception: £4,220.16 (plus lunch £309.43); Years 1 & 2: £4,957.12 (plus lunch £309.43); Years 3 & 4: £5,660.48 (plus lunch £372.50); Years 5 & 6: £5,716.48 (plus lunch £372.50). Senior School (Years 7–13): £7,540.84 (plus lunch £372.50 for Years 7–11). Lunch is compulsory for girls from Reception to Year 11 and optional for Sixth Form girls only, who have the freedom to go to Summertown in Oxford or eat in school.
The fees cover the regular curriculum textbooks, stationery and other materials, compulsory educational visits, choral music, games and swimming, but not optional extra subjects.
Bursaries. The school offers means-tested bursaries and ensures that it remains accessible to bright girls who would profit from the education provided, but who would be unable to enter the school without financial assistance. Bursaries are available at Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12 entry to the Senior School and a confidential application can be made to the GDST. Visit the GDST website (https://www.gdst.net/schools/bursaries/) to find out whether you may be eligible for some support.
Scholarships. Scholarships are available for Year 7, Year 9, and Year 12 entry in Art, Drama, Sport, Music, Academic and the Head’s Scholarship. These scholarships are held for the duration of a girl's time at Oxford High, subject to satisfactory progress and behaviour.
Charitable status. Oxford High School is part of The Girls’ Day School Trust, which is a Registered Charity, number 306983.