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What says..

A liberal regime. The head ‘doesn’t give a stuff’ about uniform, we were told by pupils, and there’s been a gradual relaxation of requirements (designed also to be supportive of trans pupils). ‘It’s quite casual, the number of holes in your ears or tights is not an issue,’ says a sixth former. Detentions, though possible, are a rarity, preceded by a verbal warning and…

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What the school says...

Oxford High School is Oxford’s oldest girls’ school, a leading independent day school based in the heart of Oxford for girls aged 4 to 18 years.
We are a vibrant and happy school full of bright, clever, interesting pupils. We have a wealth of alumnae who have become leaders in their chosen fields across the world, and we consistently have high academic results at GCSE and A Level.
We encourage our girls to be ambitious in all areas of life, to develop self-confidence, aware of the impact of their actions on those they care about, on the wider world and upon themselves. We live life to the full, proud of our past and preparing for the future.

Oxford High School is one of 25 Girls’ Day School Trust schools. All GDST schools share a common set of values that support our aims and place girls first.
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Other features

All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.

Sports

Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.

Rowing

Fencing

Shooting

Sailing

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmistress

Since 2021, Mrs Marina Gardiner Legge. Previously three years as head of Heathfield School which she joined as director of studies in 2013.

An Oxford graduate (English language and literature at Somerville College), she spent 10 years living overseas in assorted advertising and marketing roles and raising her children (three in two years). After a career rethink, she gained a PGCE at Hong Kong University in the early 2000s. First post as an English teacher at Rutlish School in south-west London followed by a series of promotions (head of year, assistant head and head of careers).

She’s ‘able to deal with the most difficult situations in a calm and sensitive way,’ says the official announcement. Follows a ‘tumultuous’ time with three heads in three years, and...

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Please note: Independent schools frequently offer IGCSEs or other qualifications alongside or as an alternative to GCSE. The DfE does not record performance data for these exams so independent school GCSE data is frequently misleading; parents should check the results with the schools.

Who came from where

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Special Education Needs

The Learning Support department at OHS works with subject teachers to identify and support girls with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). The focus is on empowerment, with tutorials and small group sessions to consolidate strengths and discover strategies to take advantage of these, not only at school but throughout girls’ lives. We recognise that students with SEND are no less likely to achieve the best grades in public exams or be offered places at the most competitive universities, and are proud that the progress made by girls with SEND at Oxford High School matches or exceeds that of their peers. Many girls at Oxford High School speak languages other than English and a few speak English as an additional language (EAL). The Learning Support department offers support to those who require this.

Who came from where


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