Ages 
Puts the round in ‘all rounder’. ’Produces balanced adults who take responsibility and have learned how to learn,' to quote a satisfied parent. A bit of an ‘everything bagel’, with something to appeal to almost everyone. Will encourage children who play it safe to dip their toes in new and pleasant waters. May not suit rebels, children who thrive on competition … or tiger parents.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 585 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 109 ·
- Religion
- CofE/RC
- Fees
- £18,123 - £28,698 pa
- Local authority
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Head
Dr Sarah Squire
Since September 2025, Dr Sarah Squire DPhil MA PGCE – the eighth head of the school and its first headmistress. She was previously at d’Overbroeck’s where she was the pastoral director and vice principal since 2020. Before that, she was deputy head
Entrance
Tiny reception class – just nine pupils at the time of our visit with a maximum of 12. New children are welcomed every year and numbers increase to two forms of up to 16 by the time they reach year 6 (only 27 in year 6 when we were there, and numbers
Exit
Almost none leave after year 6, although parents are given heads up in year 5 if child not suited to senior school. Up to 30 per cent leave after GCSE, mainly for local colleges. ‘We did briefly wonder if we should look to the state sector for sixth
Latest results
In 2025, 48 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 44 per cent A*/A at A level (69 per cent A*-B).
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Parents tell us they are delighted with the prep school from start to finish: ‘wonderful’, ‘can’t fault it’. Mixed ability classes with setting for maths and spelling from year 3. Juniors told us they like the termly topics, around which
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Around eight per cent on the SEN register – low for a school of Cokethorpe’s profile. Officially states that it can support pupils with mild to moderate SpLD and ‘mainstream’ ASD. Indeed, there is a palpable discomfort with the school’s past
Arts & extracurricular
Director of co-curricular presides over an astonishing range of some 160 ‘AOBs' (Cokethorpe activities), most taking place over the 95-minute lunch break or during dedicated ‘lessons’ throughout the week. Pupils in years 7 to 11 are expected to do a
Sport
A sporty school with the emphasis on participation rather than world domination. Four to six hours of sport per week (depending on who you talk to), right up to the top of the school. New-age, timber-clad, landscape-hugging, grass-topped ‘changing
Ethos & heritage
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: it’s not often that a seasoned Good Schools Guide writer pauses to gasp upon entering a school estate, but when we drove into Cokethorpe, we did stop and draw breath. The Cotswold stone Queen Anne building
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Religion is low key, embodied in the stain-glassed chapel a short walk from the main school. Unusually the school’s foundation is joint Roman Catholic and CofE, a quirk going back to its days as a boarding school when both persuasions needed to be
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review First form to fourth form pupils hand their phones in during morning registration. Phones are collected at the end of the day. Fifth and sixth formers may only use their phones in lessons, if directed to by their teacher, for educational purposes. They must not use their phones at other times. Prep school pupils may bring phones to school if they travel on a school bus, but they must deposit them in the morning and collect them at the end of the day. Concessions are in place for children with medical conditions whose access to their mobile phone is a necessity.
Pupils & parents
Pupils delivered daily on a fleet of coaches covering over 20 routes encompassing Swindon, Oxford, Brize Norton and Didcot. Parents the usual mix of professionals, academics, medics and city workers. ‘An ordinary bunch of people,’ said a mum. ‘You
Money matters
Fees a full £4000 per term less than day fees at Oxford’s best-known co-ed independent — this is not a school that unthinkingly rubber stamps fee increases. Thirteen per cent of pupils currently receive a reduction. Could be more, but the ethos here
- Fee information
- £18,123 - £28,698 pa
The last word
Puts the round in ‘all rounder’. ’Produces balanced adults who take responsibility and have learned how to learn,' to quote a satisfied parent. A bit of an ‘everything bagel’, with something to appeal to almost everyone. Will encourage children who
