When a school traces its roots to 1915, founded by a group of evangelical Christians to educate girls "for the demands and opportunities likely to arise after the war," you sense ambition baked into its DNA. Headington Rye Oxford, created in September 2024 when the distinguished Headington School merged with neighbouring Rye St Antony, stands just a mile from Oxford's city centre, nestled across 35 acres of grounds that feel like a campus rather than a school compound. The merger brought together over a century of combined heritage, blending Headington's larger senior school infrastructure with Rye's intimate pastoral approach. Today, the school educates around 800 girls aged 11-18, plus 250 younger pupils aged 3-11 in its co-educational prep, with approximately 200 boarders. This is a school where academic rigour meets genuine pastoral care, where girls routinely outperform their predicted grades by a full level at GCSE and 1.5 grades at A-level, and where 60% of leavers progress directly to university. The JSI inspection of January 2023 confirmed what parents already know: teaching is confident, pupils are curious, and the school genuinely knows every girl by name.
On any school day, beyond Headington's gates, you encounter organised purposefulness mixed with unmistakable warmth. The neo-Georgian senior school building, dating from 1930 and designed by Thomas Rayson and Gilbert Gardner, carries quiet architectural confidence. Girls move between lessons with purpose; clusters gather on the sprawling lawns during breaks; the energy feels both ambitious and happy. Caroline Jordan, headmistress since 2011 and now leading the merged entity, has overseen a period of substantial investment: the Creativity and Innovation Centre (The Hive) opened in 2021, housing art, textiles, and photography departments with exhibition-quality spaces including the Emma Watson Gallery. A new Food and Nutrition Centre followed in 2022. Most recently, a modern boathouse was completed in 2024, reflecting the school's status as one of England's premier rowing destinations. These new facilities sit alongside older infrastructure thoughtfully updated, the 260-seat professional theatre (2002), the Napier Boarding House (2003), a large dining hall (2005), and the dedicated Music School (2009) where 350 individual lessons happen each week.
The school's character is underpinned by what staff and students describe as the school's commitment to letting girls try everything. Sixth formers run their own companies, represent their boarding houses at governors' meetings, and lead societies from FemSoc to Amnesty International. The ISI inspection report noted something striking: when pupils were asked to form groups, they automatically made space for anyone who wanted to join, apparently uncommon behaviour elsewhere. The boarding community of approximately 200 girls is split across five houses, creating smaller family units within the larger whole. Full, weekly, and half-weekly boarding options allow flexibility. Day girls benefit from optional breakfast club, allowing families to manage working patterns, and optional day supper, so sixth formers studying late have a proper meal. The school feels both substantial and intimate; large enough for real choice, small enough for recognition.
Academic results place Headington Rye Oxford comfortably within the highest echelon of independent schools. At GCSE in 2024, 60% of grades were 9-8 (the highest bands), and 80% achieved grades 9-7 (top three grades). These figures rank the school at 105th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 2% and within the elite tier of girls' independent schools. The school ranks 4th within Oxfordshire. The progress made is equally impressive. Pupils typically achieve one full grade better than predicted on entry, evidence of expert teaching and individual support. Girls consistently pursue rigorous subject combinations: separate sciences dominate; Latin and Greek are offered as options; and competitive STEM courses (mathematics, further mathematics, computer science) attract strong cohorts. The school's value-added approach means underachieving is rare; pupils seem to rise to quiet expectation.
A-level outcomes reinforce the picture of genuine academic strength. In 2024, 24% of grades were A* and 37% were A, meaning 61% achieved the very highest grades (A*-A). At A*-B, the proportion reached 87%. The school ranks 115th in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), again placing it within the elite tier (top 4%). Locally, it ranks 5th in Oxford. Over 30 A-level subjects are available, including specialist options like Photography, Politics, Law, and Psychology, alongside traditional academics. The school offers dedicated support for medical school applications, law applications, and Oxbridge candidates, with specialist programme threads for aspirational careers. In 2024, five students secured Cambridge places and multiple pupils entered top universities including Durham, Bristol, Edinburgh, and UCL.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
87.18%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
79.8%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The school's track record with university progression is striking. In the 2024 leaver cohort, 60% progressed to university, 3% to further education, and 1% to apprenticeships, with 13% entering employment. Beyond these headline figures, the university pipeline is genuinely impressive. Girls regularly gain places at Russell Group institutions; recent years have seen consistent Oxbridge success, with five Cambridge acceptances in 2024 alone. The school actively supports competitive applications through dedicated guidance, subject specialists, and mock interview practice. Popular recent destinations include Durham, Bristol, Edinburgh, UCL, and King's College London. The spread of interests is broad: strong science cohorts head to research-intensive universities; humanities students pursue law, languages, and social sciences; business and economics students gain places at leading institutions. The school does not simply recruit already-excellent pupils and watch them succeed; instead, it selects students with potential and genuine engagement with learning, supporting them to exceed their predicted trajectories. This value-added approach means many girls leave having achieved well beyond their entry assessments.
The curriculum philosophy emphasises depth over breadth, which is why girls can spend genuine time mastering subjects rather than racing through content. Teaching is described as rigorous, with expert subject knowledge evident in every department. The ISI inspection highlighted collaborative learning as a defining feature; pupils work in groups routinely, meaning they develop team skills alongside academic content. Class sizes average around 15 in lower years, dropping to smaller sets for A-level specialist subjects, allowing teachers to know pupils well and pitch teaching precisely. The school employs specialist staff: separate scientists in biology, chemistry, and physics; dedicated mathematicians and further mathematicians teachers; linguists across modern languages and classical studies. Sixth formers are given extended choice: they can pursue particular interests through independent reading, extended essays, and specialist seminars. The approach assumes girls are intellectually curious and capable of self-direction.
Beyond traditional subjects, the curriculum includes compulsory Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE) and Religious Studies (examining ethics, world religions, and philosophy rather than indoctrination). Computing is taught from lower school, meaning girls develop digital confidence early. The school's approach to pastoral academic support, tutors meeting pupils one-to-one to track progress and address any gaps, means no one slips through unnoticed. Girls often say they feel "pushed in the nicest way"; expectations are high, but so is support.
Approximately one-third of the student body boards, creating a genuinely mixed community of day and residential pupils. The five boarding houses, Davenport, Dorset, Hotwell, Napier, and one at the Rye site, are each led by an experienced housemistress or housemaster living on-site with family or partner. These adults know pupils intimately, monitor wellbeing, and liaise with tutors about any concerns. The boarding environment is neither institutionalised nor neglectful; it is a community where girls develop independence while remaining supported. Weekends follow traditional patterns: Saturday morning lessons, Saturday afternoon fixtures and activities, Sunday chapel and house time. Exeats occur every three weeks, allowing family time. Evening and weekend activities are structured around house events, social gatherings, cultural trips, and optional academic enrichment. The Health Centre operates 24/7, staffed by trained nurses, and provides both physical and emotional support.
The boarding houses themselves are comfortable but not luxurious; the focus is on community rather than hotel-like comfort. International boarding students benefit from visa sponsorship, and the school actively welcomes girls from overseas, creating a genuinely international cohort. The school reports that boarding girls often speak of deep friendships and a sense of belonging that extends well beyond school. The combined day and boarding community means no artificial divide; day girls stay for supper clubs, attend house events, and integrate fully into school life.
This is unquestionably the school's longest and strongest section, reflecting its genuine commitment to a comprehensive education. The school offers over 150 clubs and activities, ranging from competitive sport to niche academic societies. Rather than listing exhaustively, the key pillars are worth describing in depth.
The Music School, opened in 2009, is a dedicated facility where 350 individual music lessons occur each week across 22 different instruments: strings, woodwind, brass, piano, guitar, percussion, and harp. Around 20 different ensemble groups operate, from chapel choir to jazz band to specialist chamber ensembles. The sixth form vocal ensemble, The Eleven, achieved the top choral prize at the Oxford Music Festival in 2013. Concerts happen regularly, both in the school's professional venues and off-site at venues like the Sheldonian Theatre. Girls are encouraged to perform publicly, audition for regional youth orchestras, and pursue music at higher education. Music Scholarship opportunities exist for musically gifted candidates. The accessibility is notable: girls need not be advanced musicians to join ensembles, and beginner-friendly ensembles exist alongside elite groups. This breadth of opportunity means pupils can pursue music as seriously or casually as they wish.
Drama is deeply embedded in the school culture. The 260-seat professional theatre hosts productions for different year groups throughout the year: recent shows have included Chicago, Oliver!, Matilda Jr., and others. Roles are allocated through open audition, and the process is genuinely inclusive; opportunities exist for on-stage performers, technical crew, costume designers, lighting specialists, and stage managers. Dance is equally popular, with multiple dance companies at different levels and styles ranging from ballet to street dance. Girls can pursue drama and dance as GCSE and A-level subjects, or simply participate in the co-curricular productions. The breadth of involvement means any girl with a spark of interest in performance finds a pathway.
Sport at Headington is genuinely excellent. The school owns Headington School Oxford Boat Club, and the rowing programme is one of the most successful in England. Teams regularly compete at the National Schools Regatta; the school achieved the rare "Women's triple", winning National Schools, Schools Head, and Henley in 2009, 2014, 2015, and 2016. In 2021, the school won the inaugural Junior Women's Eights at Henley Royal Regatta, and two past pupils represented Great Britain at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics, securing a gold medal in the girls' pair. The investment in the new boathouse reflects this commitment.
Beyond rowing, girls can pursue hockey, netball, cricket, tennis, athletics, swimming, equestrian, fencing, climbing, cheerleading, and cross-country running. Sport is compulsory through GCSE, and girls can pursue PE as a GCSE or A-level subject or as a BTEC Diploma. Multiple teams compete at county and national level. The school field over 20 different sports, meaning any girl finds a sport that suits her ability and interest. Saturday afternoon fixtures are a regular feature, creating rivalry and camaraderie between houses. The investment in facilities, the floodlit astroturf pitch, the swimming pool, the tennis courts, the climbing wall, enables this breadth.
Beyond traditional subjects, girls engage with STEM through the Green Power racing car project (a real vehicle designed and built by pupils, competing in England), robotics and coding clubs, and maths competitions including participation in the Mathematical Olympiad. Debating and Model United Nations provide sophisticated argumentation training. The Science Society, History Society, and other subject-led clubs allow deeper exploration. These academic clubs are student-led, meaning senior pupils take responsibility for facilitating learning, a valuable leadership experience.
Sixth formers are systematically encouraged into leadership. The school operates a structured student leadership team, including Head Girl, Deputies, and form representatives. Girls run house societies, lead clubs, organise social events, and serve on committees including the academic council (advising on curriculum) and pastoral council (advising on wellbeing). The ISI inspection specifically praised the maturity and thoughtfulness girls bring to these roles. Service is also woven in: the school supports local charities including Warneford Hospital (girls engage in gardening projects), local homeless services, and various national charities chosen by house groups.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme runs successfully, with participants completing expeditions, developing practical skills, and engaging in service. Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is optional but popular; Headington's contingent is one of only four all-girls units in England, a proud distinction. International engagement is facilitated through language trips, partnerships with schools abroad, and hosting overseas guests during term.
Fees data coming soon.
Girls can enter at multiple points: 11+ (transition from prep to senior school), 13+ (additional entry after two years of senior schooling), and 16+ (sixth form entry). Admission is competitive; the school is always oversubscribed. Entry at 11+ involves the school's own entrance examinations in English, Mathematics, and Reasoning, plus a taster day where girls experience lessons and interact with current pupils. Entry at 13+ typically involves pre-tests in Year 7, assessed during Year 8, with entrance exams in Year 9. Entry at 16+ involves exams in Mathematics, essay writing, and critical thinking, plus interviews. The school explicitly states it selects girls with potential and adaptability, not simply those with perfect prior records. Academic capability is necessary, but so is genuine intellectual curiosity and the ability to engage collaboratively.
The school is transparent about fees: day fees for Year 7-11 are £7,495 per term (£8,994 with VAT), rising for sixth form direct entrants (£9,876 with VAT). Full boarding is £18,000 per term, weekly boarding £15,036, and half-weekly £12,012. These fees include all educational materials, school meals, morning snacks, and accommodation for boarders. Optional extras, music lessons, drama lessons, EAL support, instrument hire, are costed separately.
Financial support is available and meaningful. The Headington Rye Access Programme provides means-tested bursaries up to 100% of day fees for local girls (within 26 miles) entering at 11+, with up to 50% support available at 13+ and sixth form entry. Bursaries are awarded on a sliding scale based on family circumstances and are made to girls who would genuinely benefit but whose families could not otherwise afford it. The school also offers merit scholarships in Academic, Art, Dance, Drama, Music, and Sport disciplines at 11+, 13+, and 16+ entry, plus additional special awards at sixth form including Rowing and Headmistress' Award scholarships. Most scholarships do not provide fee reduction but rather a mark of distinction and access to specialist masterclasses and mentoring. Families on military or FCDO service receive 20% fee discount. The school explicitly acknowledges that financial barriers can prevent access and actively works to overcome them, though it notes that as demand exceeds places, not all bursary requests can be fulfilled.
Girls from Headington Rye Oxford Prep School (the merger of the former Rye St Antony prep and Headington prep facilities) progress automatically to Year 7 at the senior school, pending satisfactory progress. External candidates enter via the competitive 11+ process. This continuity from age 3-18 means families can keep children at the school throughout, though many also progress elsewhere at secondary transfer. The school reports healthy numbers both internally progressing and joining from external preps.
The school operates on a traditional academic calendar with three terms and traditional half-terms. The school day runs 8:45am to 3:20pm for most pupils, with sixth formers having more flexible schedules reflecting their increased independence. Before-school care (breakfast club) and after-school care (supper club and general supervision until 6pm) are available at additional cost. Wraparound care availability is particularly helpful for working families. Girls wear uniform throughout the school, a traditional blazer and skirt combination, with sixth formers having slightly more flexibility in dress codes.
Transport is mixed: many girls are local and walk or cycle, while others travel by bus from surrounding villages and towns. The school's location just a mile from Oxford city centre means excellent bus connectivity and relative proximity to major road networks. Parking on site is limited; parents are encouraged to use designated drop-off points or public transport. The school has strong links with both of Oxford's universities (Oxford and Oxford Brookes), facilitating lectures, facility access, and enrichment opportunities.
Pastoral care is a genuine school priority, not an afterthought. Every girl has a tutor (a form group teacher) who knows her well, meets with her regularly, and acts as the first point of contact for parents. These tutors are supported by Heads of Year and Heads of Section, creating a tiered pastoral structure. Housemistresses or Housemasters lead boarding communities and are similarly invested in wellbeing. The school employs counsellors and trained support staff who work with girls experiencing emotional or personal difficulties. Mental health is discussed openly; the school has moved beyond stigma towards genuine support. The Health Centre, staffed by nurses, operates around the clock and provides both physical care and emotional first aid. Teachers are alert to changes in behaviour or wellbeing and communicate concerns appropriately. Safeguarding policies are thorough and regularly reviewed; the school takes child protection seriously.
At Headington Rye Oxford, the school's approach to behaviour is restorative rather than purely punitive. Expectations are high, girls are expected to be kind, responsible, and intellectually honest, but consequences for breaches focus on understanding and restoration rather than shame. The ISI inspection noted that pupils feel genuinely empowered to express themselves; this speaks to a culture where girls feel heard and respected. Peer support is cultivated; sixth formers mentor younger girls; house systems encourage mutual care. The boarding houses, in particular, operate as genuine communities where relationships deepen.
Competitiveness of entry. The school is highly oversubscribed. Securing a place requires not only strong academic ability but also demonstrating genuine engagement with learning and the ability to contribute to a collaborative community. Families should view entry as competitive and begin the process well in advance of their intended year of entry. Open days and taster sessions are valuable for understanding whether the school suits their child.
Boarding integration. Approximately one-third of the student body boards, creating a mixed day and boarding community. This integration is deliberate and enriching, but it means that day girls experience a culture shaped partly by boarding rhythms. Some families prefer schools with clearer day-girl communities; this school is genuinely a boarding school.
Fee levels. Despite meaningful bursaries, full fees remain substantial. Day fees of £7,495 per term (£22,485 annually) and boarding fees significantly higher position this school in the premium segment of independent schools. Families should be realistic about affordability and explore bursary eligibility early.
Selective entry. Entry is by competitive examination and interview. The school seeks girls with genuine intellectual engagement, collaborative skills, and the ability to thrive in a purposeful, high-expectation environment. Girls who prefer more casual or less academically intense schooling may find the pace demanding.
Single-sex education. Girls age 11-18 study in a girls-only environment (the prep is mixed). Families with strong views about co-education should note this commitment.
Headington Rye Oxford is undoubtedly one of England's leading girls' independent schools. The merger of two strong institutions has created something genuinely excellent: a school with ambitious academic provision, exceptional pastoral care, and a breadth of opportunities that allows every girl to discover her strengths. Results speak clearly, 60% of GCSE grades at the highest bands, 61% of A-levels A*-A, consistent Oxbridge entry, and strong university destinations. But results alone do not capture what makes Headington special. With a published capacity of 1,528, routines are designed to keep movement between lessons orderly. The school manages to be simultaneously ambitious and warm, highly selective and inclusive, traditional and forward-thinking.
Best suited to academically able girls who thrive on challenge and want genuine community alongside excellent teaching. Best suited to families valuing single-sex education, boarding community, and breadth of opportunity beyond the classroom. The main barriers to entry are competitive admissions and fee levels, which are real constraints. For families who can access either financially or competitively, this school delivers exceptional education.
Yes. The school was rated as demonstrating excellent teaching and pastoral care in its 2023 ISI inspection. Academic results place it in the elite tier in England: 60% of GCSE grades at 9-8, 61% of A-levels A*-A, and consistent Oxbridge entry. The school ranks 105th for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking, top 2% in England) and 115th for A-level (top 4% ). Girls typically exceed their predicted grades by a full level at GCSE and 1.5 grades at A-level, demonstrating genuine value-added education.
Day fees for Year 7-11 are £7,495 per term (£8,994 including VAT), or approximately £22,485 annually. Sixth form day fees are £8,230-£9,876 per term depending on whether pupils are internal or direct entrants (including VAT). Full boarding is £18,000 per term (£54,000 annually), weekly boarding £15,036 per term, and half-weekly £12,012 per term. Occasional boarding is £114 per night. Nursery and prep fees are lower. Fees include all educational materials, meals, and accommodation for boarders. Optional extras like music lessons, drama lessons, and EAL tuition are costed separately. The Headington Rye Access Programme provides means-tested bursaries up to 100% for local day girls at 11+ entry, with support available at other entry points, making education accessible to talented girls regardless of family income.
Very competitive. The school is always oversubscribed, particularly at 11+ entry. Admission is by entrance examination (English, Mathematics, Reasoning at 11+ entry), plus interview and taster day. The school selects girls demonstrating strong academic ability, intellectual curiosity, and the capacity to engage collaboratively. External applicants compete with internal pupils progressing from the prep school. Early registration is advisable, and families should view entry as genuinely competitive. The school considers potential and learning profile, not simply prior grades, but achieving a place requires genuine academic engagement and strength.
Over 150 clubs and activities. The school runs at least 20 different sports including rowing (one of England's top school rowing programmes), hockey, netball, cricket, tennis, athletics, swimming, equestrian, fencing, climbing, cross-country, and cheerleading. Sport is compulsory through GCSE and available as GCSE, A-level, or BTEC. Beyond sport, girls participate in over 20 music ensembles, drama productions (professional 260-seat theatre), dance companies, academic societies (debating, Model United Nations, Green Power racing car project, robotics, coding), the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Combined Cadet Force, and student-led societies including Amnesty International and FemSoc. The breadth ensures every girl finds genuine engagement.
Exceptional. The dedicated Music School (opened 2009) hosts 350 individual music lessons each week across 22 different instruments. Around 20 ensemble groups operate, from beginner-friendly groups to elite orchestra. The sixth form vocal ensemble, The Eleven, won the top choral prize at the Oxford Music Festival in 2013. Concerts happen regularly, on and off-site. Girls can pursue music as GCSE, A-level, or simply for enrichment. Music scholarships recognise talented musicians, and masterclasses with visiting professional musicians occur regularly. The accessibility means girls at all levels find pathways to music.
Several factors distinguish Headington. First, the 2024 merger combined Headington's larger campus and senior school provision with Rye St Antony's intimate pastoral approach, creating genuine scale without sacrificing personal attention. Second, the mixed day and boarding community (approximately one-third boarders) enriches the culture significantly; the school is genuinely a boarding school, not primarily a day school with boarding. Third, the investment in facilities is notable: the Creativity and Innovation Centre (The Hive, opened 2021), the new boathouse (2024), the professional theatre, and the dedicated music school create genuinely excellent spaces for learning beyond classroom subjects. Fourth, the school's value-added approach, girls consistently exceed predicted grades, indicates excellent teaching and individual support. Finally, the breadth of opportunity is striking: 150+ clubs, 30 A-level subjects, and a culture where girls are genuinely encouraged to try everything reflects an educational philosophy prioritising development as whole people, not simply examination performance.
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