Frequently Asked Questions

To apply for a place at Headington School Oxford, families/parents should contact our Admissions team and complete an online enquiry form. The admissions process typically includes submitting a registration form, providing school reports and attending an assessment or interview, depending on the year of entry. Both will be required for all senior school entry points.

You can find full details about entry requirements, key dates, and how to apply on the Admissions pages of our website.

Children can join Headington School Oxford at several key entry points from Reception to Year 12. Our main entry points include Nursery, Reception, Year 3, Year 5, Year 7, Year 9 and Sixth Form. These stages allow pupils to join the school at important points in their educational journey. You can find out what year your child would be able to join the School by entering his or her date of birth on this page.

Availability may vary depending on the year group, so please get in touch with our Admissions team to discuss current places and the application process.

Headington School Oxford has a network of private bus routes via a shared bus partnership with Magdalen College School serving locations across Oxfordshire and beyond and is also well served by public buses. Some pupils also travel to school by train. From those coming from further afield, there are also regular bus routes to London stopping outside the School.  There is more information on travel to school here.

Yes. As well as hosting regular Meet the Head and open morning events, we also offer private school tours of Headington Rye Oxford in both the senior and prep school for families who would like to visit the school and experience the school environment but are unable to join one of our main open events.

You can book a place at an upcoming open morning, Meet the Head or arrange a private tour through our Admissions team. Please visit the website to book your visit and learn more about upcoming events, or contact the Admissions team to request a private tour.

Yes. As part of the admissions process to the Senior School at Headington School Oxford, applicants are asked to complete an entrance assessment and attend an interview, while assessment to the Prep School differs according to age. This helps the School understand each pupil’s strengths, interests and learning needs.

The assessment process varies depending on the year of entry, from taster sessions and informal assessments for the youngest children in nursery and reception to a full day comprising assessments and interviews in the Senior School. You can read more about the admissions assessments and requirements on our website.

Children can join the Prep School at several key entry points, including Nursery, Reception, Year 3 and Year 5. These stages allow girls and boys to begin their journey at important points in their early education and transition smoothly through the School, however we welcome children to all year groups. We are also able to accept in-year admissions in some year groups, dependent on space. 

For more information about entry points and availability, please contact the Admissions team.

Headington School Oxford offers a range of boarding options to suit the needs of pupils and families in our senior school. These include full boarding, weekly boarding, half-weekly boarding and flexible boarding for senior school pupils aged 11-18, and short term stays of a minimum of one term for Years 7, 8 and 9.

These options allow pupils to experience boarding life while providing families with flexibility depending on their circumstances. For more details about boarding and availability, please visit the Boarding section of our website.

We provide pupils with a structured and supportive environment. A typical day includes study time, extracurricular activities, social events and opportunities to relax with friends.

Boarders live in boarding houses supervised by experienced house and pastoral staff, who provide guidance, support and help create a welcoming community where pupils feel safe and at home. You can read all about boarding life here.

Boarders are supported by a strong pastoral care system within the boarding houses. Each house is led by experienced house and pastoral staff who are dedicated to ensuring girls feel safe, supported and part of a welcoming community.

The pastoral team provides guidance, wellbeing support and helps boarders settle into boarding life while encouraging independence and strong friendships. You can read more about our pastoral care for boarders here.

Yes. Headington School Oxford welcomes international pupils to join the boarding community and believe they add to the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of the School. We provide additional support to help pupils settle into school life, including pastoral guidance, integration into boarding houses and support from staff throughout their time at the School.

We aim to ensure that international pupils feel welcomed, supported and fully part of the school community. We are also able to sponsor boarders for student visas. Learn more about how we support international pupils here.

Yes. We are offering a new, flexible boarding experience with our short stay boarding programme from September 2026, aimed at families seeking a shorter, more flexible overseas study and a gradual introduction to boarding.

Short stay boarding is available for girls joining Years 7, 8 or 9 for a minimum of one-term. Boarders will be full members of the boarding and school community, enjoying an authentic UK boarding experience in Oxford, the city of dreaming spires and home to one of the world’s most prestigious universities. You can find out more on our Boarding pages.

At Headington School Oxford, girls can join the boarding community from Year 7 through to Year 12, with main entry points in Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12. Boarding provides pupils with a supportive and structured environment where they can focus on their studies, build friendships and take part in a wide range of school activities. Different levels of support and advice are provided depending on girls’ age, with a focus on developing independence as pupils get closer to university.

The School offers a broad and balanced academic curriculum and prepares pupils for GCSEs, A Levels, and equivalent qualifications. The curriculum supports strong academic achievement while encouraging curiosity, critical thinking and a love of learning. Most go on to competitive and prestigious universities both in the UK and abroad, including Oxbridge, the Russell Group and Ivy League. There is lots of information on the subjects offered in Lower and Middle School here and Sixth Form here.

Pupils also benefit from a wide range of co-curricular opportunities, helping them develop skills beyond the classroom. In 2026, ISI inspectors identified that our co-curricular provision was a ‘significant strength’ of the School.

Class sizes at the School are managed according to the needs of each pupil group. This flexible approach ensures that children receive personalised attention, appropriate support and opportunities to engage fully in lessons while maintaining strong teacher-pupil relationships. Class sizes tend to get smaller as pupils specialise at GCSE and are much smaller in the Sixth Form for A Level study, allowing greater personal attention.

At Headington School Oxford, we are a large school, but every pupil’s individual needs are recognised and supported. Our dedicated teaching staff and expert Learning Support team provide tailored support, including personalised learning plans, small-group sessions and one-to-one interventions where appropriate.

This approach ensures that each pupil, regardless of class size, has the guidance and resources needed to thrive academically, socially and personally.

At Headington Prep School, pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum designed to develop academic skills and creativity. Subjects include English, Maths, Science, Modern Languages, Humanities, Music, Drama, Art and Physical Education, alongside enrichment activities that support personal development and a love of learning. From Nursery onwards, children are taught by specialist teachers. Learn more about our academic approach in the Prep School here.

We prepare pupils for senior school entry through strong academic teaching, personalised support, and enrichment opportunities. Most girls choose to stay at our exceptional senior school and, during their time at the prep school, become very familiar with the site and staff through a carefully planned programme of visits, workshops and lessons with senior school staff. Many girls each year are awarded scholarships to the senior school and are provided with advice and support on scholarship applications. For boys and those who choose to go elsewhere, our staff provide guidance on entrance assessments, interviews and applications, ensuring each child is confident, well-prepared and able to transition successfully to their next stage of education.

Yes, we do. Pupils can take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities to complement their academic studies. These include sports, music, drama, dance, creative arts, clubs, outdoor education and leadership opportunities, helping pupils develop new skills, explore their interests and build confidence both inside and outside the classroom. Learn more about our senior school enrichment programme here and our prep school enrichment programme here. 

In 2026, ISI inspectors identified that our co-curricular provision was a ‘significant strength’ of the School – you can read more here.

Yes. Headington School Oxford offers scholarships and bursaries at 11+, 13+ and 16+ to support pupils based on academic ability, talent, or financial need. These awards help make a place at the School accessible to a wider range of families. Financial assistance is only available for day places in the Senior School.

You can find more information about eligibility, application deadlines and how to apply on our Scholarships and Bursaries page.

At Headington School Oxford, wellbeing is a top priority. We provide support through dedicated pastoral care teams, tutors, and structured wellbeing programmes, ensuring that every pupil feels safe, supported, and able to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

Our approach includes guidance, mentoring and activities that promote mental health, resilience and personal development. Our safeguarding team works closely with staff, pupils and families to ensure a safe and supportive school community.

Yes. We welcome pupils from all nationalities and from all over the world into our boarding community. We provide support for international pupils, including assistance with settling into school life and guidance in boarding houses. Our aim is to create an inclusive and diverse school community where every student feels supported and part of the school family. You can read more about the overseas application process here and about how we support international pupils in our boarding community here.