Ages 
With a kit list that includes tweeds and pocket combs (alas, the letter-writing kit is now optional), these enthusiastic little boys become thoroughly nice young men before you know it. You can spot them a mile off: smart, not swanky; confident, not arrogant; wholesome, articulate, sometimes eccentric in a spectacles-fixed-with-sticky-tape way. The best bit: ‘On a play date,’ one mum reports, ‘not only will he make conversation over tea, but he’ll also load the dishwasher afterwards.’ Now, what more could you possibly want than that?
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 337 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- Day £18,960 - £33,390; Boarding £47,910 pa
- Local authority
- Oxfordshire County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr D Faber
Since 2010, David Faber, MA Oxon; first school post but as an Old Summerfieldian, former parent and governor, he already knew the ropes. First time around, Mr Faber went from here to Eton, Oxford (Balliol) and into the Conservative party (the same
Entrance
Eighteen places for day boys into reception – ‘you wouldn’t want any more than that flying around’. Play-based assessment (Duplo, dinosaurs, digging) to get the best out of them. For year 1 entry school looks for ‘a basic grasp of numbers and
- Open days
- 19th September Pre-prep Open Morning; 20th September Prep Open Morning
Exit
Everyone stays until 13+, when roughly half go on to Eton or Harrow. Winchester and Radley always up there, too. Historically strong scholarship record (‘That’s the reason I came here,’ says our guide – ‘I saw all the names on the scholarships
Latest results
There are no results to show for this school. Find out more.
Teaching & learning
Learning support & SEN
Boarders
Some board from year 4; most others join them by year 7 or 8. No flexi. Lodges (houses) organised horizontally. Boys can go home after Saturday lessons and fixtures – a ‘more friendly’ offering than in the old days, says school. Plenty stay in at
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 Boarders must leave all personal portable devices in their respective lodges under the care of their lodge parents between return to lodge at the start of term or after leave away from school; they will receive the device back when they next depart from school. If day boys are given authorisation to bring a mobile phone to school (for instance for use during the journey to and from school), they should be left in the care of the school secretary in reception for the duration of the school day. The school recognises that mobile devices are sometimes used by pupils for medical purposes or as an adjustment to assist pupils who have disabilities or special educational needs.
Pupils
Money matters
Means-tested bursaries available. Maclaren Foundation, formed 30 years ago, provides transformational bursaries for pupils joining in year 7; school recognises ‘pastoral duty’ to secure bursaries at senior schools. Short-term hardship funding
- Fee information
- Day £18,960 - £33,390; Boarding £47,910 pa
Our view
Founded in 1864 in Summertown, then a village on the outskirts of Oxford. Since then, the city has expanded northwards and this stretch has become a busy high street, but Summer Fields has held on to 70 acres of gorgeous greenery, rambling all the
The last word
With a kit list that includes tweeds and pocket combs (alas, the letter-writing kit is now optional), these enthusiastic little boys become thoroughly nice young men before you know it. You can spot them a mile off: smart, not swanky; confident, not
