Best secondary schools in Oxfordshire (South)

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Best secondary schools near Abingdon

Best secondary schools near Henley and Wallingford

Best secondary schools near Stadhampton

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Oxfordshire’s secondary schools are all comprehensive, so be aware of where the borders with Berkshire or Buckinghamshire fall if you’re interested in grammars. At the Oxfordshire comprehensives, you’ll be at the front of the line if you have a sibling, live in catchment or attend a partner primary school. Some schools end up taking pupils who don’t meet these criteria but be warned: new housing developments on the outskirts of existing towns have put pressure on admissions in recent years, so you may find that where once you would have got a place, you’ll now be too far away. Check how places were allocated in recent years on the Council’s website, which is (quite) user-friendly. Our article on secondary school admissions is recommended reading to anyone researching these schools. 

Secondary schools near Abingdon

Didcot Girls’ School (Oxfordshire’s only comprehensive all-girls’ school) shares a co-ed sixth form with St Birinus School. We hear wonderful things about inspiring teaching for all abilities; school offers everything from Dungeons and Dragons to ukulele ensemble. There’s a chance of picking up The Downs, in Compton, though usually you’ll need to be in catchment, over the border.

Best state primary schools near Abingdon

Best private schools near Abingdon

Best nurseries near Abingdon

Secondary schools near Henley and Wallingford

Siting in 33 acres on the edge of Henley, Gillotts School is well thought of – with 200 pupils in a year group, you should get in from within a couple of miles even if you’re not in catchment. Langtree School, in the delightful village of Woodcote, only takes 120 pupils a year, so you’ll need to be either in catchment or a sibling. Both get amongst the best Progress 8 scores in the county and feed to Henley College for sixth form. Wallingford School is bigger, with its own sixth form and super expressive arts.

Best state primary schools near Henley and Wallingford

Best private schools near Henley and Wallingford

Best nurseries near Henley and Wallingford

Secondary schools near Stadhampton

Actually in Thame, our reviewer found ‘strong academics’, a thriving performing arts scene and super pastoral care at Lord Williams’s School. Huge majority attend a feeder primary or live in the school’s designated area.  

Bear in mind that moving over the border would take you into Buckinghamshire grammar catchments; our guide to Buckinghamshire will tell you more about how it works. Aylesbury High School (girls) and Aylesbury Grammar School (boys) are neighbours; at AGS, our reviewer found ‘a grammar school in its purest form: purposeful, determined and socially diverse’.

Best state primary schools near Stadhampton

Best private schools near Stadhampton

Best nurseries near Stadhampton

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