St Edward's Oxford

Since 2021, Alastair Chirnside, previously Harrow deputy; before that, Eton, as head of year, head of classics, housemaster. Hasn’t strayed far from his own beginnings: Dragon, Eton (king’s scholar) and Merton College, Oxford, where he won a

There are 140 year 9 places: 65 per cent offered in year 6; 20 per cent in year 7; 15 percent in year 8. Siblings very welcome, though they’ll need to clear the same hurdles: ISEB pre-test in year 6; interview and activity day for those invited.

Majority to Russell Group: UCL, Bristol, Manchester, Durham, Exeter and Edinburgh all popular. Steady handful to north America or mainland Europe. One to Oxbridge in 2024, one medic and several overseas to the US, Switzerland, Dublin and Amsterdam.

In 2024, 60 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 45 per cent A*/A at A level (78 per cent A*-B); average IB point score 32.13.

‘They needed to raise their game,’ we were told by lots of parents, and Mr Chirnside’s on the case. New optionality within year 9 (Shell) curriculum means that newbies tailor their timetables, allowing for more time per subject. Metacognition,

Just over 20 per cent on SEND register, majority SPLD or ADHD. School investing in this currently: some parents frustrated at lack of support provided in the past. Mr Chirnside’s response typically pragmatic: ‘I’m not surprised if some have found

Stunning facilities for music and the arts. ‘They have lifted aspirations,’ says school, and we can see why: Olivier auditorium hosts 1000 people, as extraordinary a space as we’ve seen in a school (no-one would dream of sticking gum under those

Rowing very successful – gold and silver at recent world championships – with rowers biking up through Port Meadow to boathouse. Rugby (contact or touch), netball, football, squash, badminton, sailing, swimming, cross-country all within curriculum.

Full-fat boarding if you want it: more than 80 per cent of pupils there for at least six nights a week, but there’s the option to go home for Saturday night, and lots do; 18 per cent from overseas. Shells in dorms of four, then pairs in years 10 and

Wellbeing a key focus. Mr Chirnside has already invested in a new head of wellbeing; ‘The depth wasn’t there, they’ve acknowledged that they need the resources,’ parents say. ‘We’ve been so impressed with the HM, the matron, the pastoral care,’ says

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Majority from Oxford, London, home counties; 40 nationalities represented. Coach service scoops up boarders in south Kensington and more at Beaconsfield. New routes are now up and running from Dulwich, Putney, Chiswick and Maidenhead. Less rarefied

Push on means-tested bursaries aims to have 160 pupils receiving significant financial support in the coming years. School works with Springboard charity too. ‘It’s a very grounded community; he got scooped up by it,’ says one parent. Fees comparable

Potent IB/co-ed/weekly combo has been turning heads for a while, of course; a civilised location, not too muddy and halfway between Notting Hill and Daylesford Organic, holds more appeal post-pandemic; and now, a visionary warden with a serious CV