While Oxfordshire is often associated with one of the world's top universities, the University of Oxford, it is also renowned for its extensive list of notable private schools, which offer not only premier academic education but also a wide range of co-curricular opportunities.
There is no doubt that private education plays a significant role in Oxfordshire's academic ecosystem. Given the diverse mix of top-performing private schools in the area, parents can certainly choose a private school for their son or daughter according to their needs and preferences.
| School | Type | Best Features |
|---|---|---|
| Magdalen College School | Boys from 7 to 18 Girls for Sixth form | Elite academics, scholarships |
| Abingdon School | Boys | High GCSE/A-Level, day/boarding |
| Oxford High School GDST | Girls | Top girls' GCSE performance |
| St Helen and St Katharine | Girls | Strong A-Level, boarding option |
| Headington School | Girls | Excellent day/boarding results |
| Tudor Hall School | Girls | High academic standards |
| Radley College | Boys | Balanced academic success with pastoral care |
| The King's School (Witney) | Co-ed | Solid GCSE outcomes |
| Wychwood School | Girls | Personalised small-school education |
| Dragon School | Co-ed prep school | Top-performing prep school for well-rounded education |
👉 Overview of Private Education in Oxfordshire
As with most of the best private schools in the UK, private schools in Oxfordshire go way back in history, where some were founded centuries before the establishment of the railway in the area, such as Abingdon School, Radley School, and Magdalene College School.
The current modern landscape of private schools now sees Oxfordshire hosting about 50 private schools 1 across different regions, like Abingdon and Banbury, spanning different types such as:
- Co-educational (day or boarding)
- Boys-only (day or boarding)
- Girls-only (day or boarding)
- Preparatory school
Let's start looking at the top private schools in Oxfordshire.
✨ Magdalen College School
First up, we have Magdalen College School, a top independent school for students enrolling for junior and senior school (boys only), and Sixth Form (co-educational).
Founded in 1480, Madgalen College is known for its academic rigour, strong emphasis on extracurricular activities, and nurturing of individual potential for every student.
- 📚 GCSE (Grades 7–9): Over 90%
- 🎓 A-Level (Grades A–B)*: 93%
- 🌟 A-Level Top Achievers (3+ A*s): 42 pupils
- 🏛️ Oxbridge & Ivy League Offers: 24 pupils
- 🩺 Medicine & Dentistry: 13 pupils
Important tip: Registration deadline is usually at the end of October each year. Here's an overview of the admission process for different age groups and the requirements. Please refer to the official school website for the latest application dates or sample entrance test papers for different subjects.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Entry Points | 11+ (primary), 13+ (limited), 16+ (Sixth Form) |
| Registration | Online via MCS admissions portal; early registration advised |
| Assessments | School-set entrance exams |
| Exam Subjects | English, Mathematics (plus reasoning/subject-specific by entry point) |
| Interview | Yes — academic for all main entry points |
| Sixth Form Assessments | Subject-specific written papers + interviews |
| Sixth Form Offer Type | Conditional |
| Sixth Form Offer Conditions | Exam performance; high GCSEs in A-Level subjects for Sixth Form |
| Overall Acceptance | Form + deposit by deadline |
✨ Abingdon School Boys High
Did you know that Abingdon School is the twelfth-oldest independent British school?
Well known for its highly selective and strongly academic reputation, this school is a prestigious all-boys private school in Oxfordshire.
Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 1DE
- 📚 GCSE (Grades 7–9): 87.3%
- 🎓 A-Level (Grades A–B)*: 89.4%
- Leavers' destinations range from the University of Bath, Cambridge, and Imperial College of London in fields like Economics and Business, Physics, and Engineering
Important fact: The school announced that it will move towards co-educational enrolment beginning from 2026.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Entry Points | 11+, 13+ (main), occasional 16+ |
| Registration | Online; recommended by Year 5 for 13+ |
| Assessments | ISEB Common Pre-Test (English, Maths, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) |
| School Assessments | Abingdon entrance exams + interview |
| Offer Type | Conditional (academic performance & school report) |
| Acceptance | Form + deposit |
| Key Notes | Academically selective; strong prep needed for 13+ |
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✨ Oxford High School, GDST
Founded by the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), Oxford High School is the oldest all-girls private school in the city.
Did you know that Oxford High School is the first school in Oxfordshire to make Mandarin a compulsory subject?
Established in 1875, the school has consistently ranked high in terms of academic performance and is highly acclaimed for its progressive educational stance.
£120 (local), £180 (overseas applicants)
- 📚 GCSE (Grades 7–9): 94%
- 🎓 A-Level (Grades A–B)*: 89%
- 90% of students received offers from Russel Group universities since 2011
Let's review the admission details of the school:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Entry Points | 7+, 11+, 16+ (Sixth Form) |
| Registration | Online via GDST admissions |
| Assessments | School-based exams (English, Maths) |
| Interview | Yes (especially for Sixth Form) |
| Offer Type | Conditional (GCSE grades for Sixth Form) |
| Acceptance | Form + deposit |
| Key Notes | Competitive but holistic; focus on academic potential & character |
✨ St Helen and St Katharine (SHSK)
According to The Times Parents Power 2026 Guide, St Helen and St Katharine has been ranked just outside the top 50 national schools, coming at the top of the list among schools in Abingdon. 2 A private school known for its high academic performance, it is certainly a favourite among parents who are looking for the best private all-girls school for their daughters in Abingdon or around Oxfordshire.
Abingdon, OX14 1BE
£180 (UK) / £300 (overseas) (non-refundable)
Termly tuition fee £8,520 (inclusive of VAT)
- 📚 GCSE (Grades 7–9): 92.1%
- 🎓 A-Level (Grades A–B)*: 87.5%
- Leavers' destinations include Southampton, York, Edinburgh, Bristol, Cambridge, and Bath (which are the students' first choice)
Let's discover the admission process of this school:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Entry Points | 9+, 11+, 16+ (Sixth Form) |
| Registration | Online by published deadline |
| Assessments | Entrance exams (English, Maths, Reasoning) |
| Interview | Yes (student-focused) |
| Offer Type | Conditional (GCSE grades for Sixth Form) |
| Acceptance | Form + deposit |
| Key Notes | Academically rigorous; strong Sixth Form expectations |
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✨ Headington Rye School
Headington Rye School is one of the most prestigious and unique private schools in Oxfordshire.
It encompasses a co-educational prep school from 3 to 11, senior school (11 to 16), and sixth form for female students (16 to 18)
Prep School: Pullens Lane, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BY
Prep School - £114 (UK applicant) - £180 Prep School (Overseas applicant)
Senior School- £150 (UK applicant), - £300 (Overseas applicant)
£4,878 to £9,876 (From Reception to Sixth Form)
Full Boarding fees range from £18,000 to £19,722 for Senior students.
- 📚 GCSE (Grades 7–9): 76%
- 🎓 A-Level (Grades A–B)*: 83%
- Leavers usually enrol for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, and Allied Healthcare, while securing offers from Oxbridge and other top universities in the UK
Fun Fact: Did you know that the school's rowing team (Headington School Oxford Boat Club) is one of the most successful school teams in the country?
Let's review the admission process of the school.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Entry Points | 11+, 13+, 16+ |
| Registration | Online application |
| Assessments | Entrance exams (English, Maths) |
| Interview | Yes |
| Acceptance | Form + deposit |
| Key Notes | Values creativity alongside academics |
✨ Tudor Hall School
If you are considering an established private day and boarding all-girls school with a balanced focus on academics and extracurricular pursuits in Oxfordshire for your daughter, you should definitely explore Tudor Hall School.
Most of its students are boarding students, and it's being recognised as a Top 20 Senior Boarding Schools 2025, by Education Choices Magazine. 4
Banbury Oxfordshire
OX16 9UR
Lower school: Day £9,480, Full Boarding £16,800
Years 9 to 13: Day £11,610, £19,032
- 📚 GCSE (Grades 7–9): 98%
- 🎓 A-Level (Grades A–B)*: 78%
- Leavers secured spots at their first-choice destinations, including UCL, Durham, Exeter, York, Bristol, and Newcastle.
Interested in applying here? Check out their admission process.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Entry Points | 11+, 13+, 16+ |
| Registration | Online (early advised for boarding) |
| Assessments | Entrance exams + school report |
| Interview | Yes (pastoral emphasis) |
| Acceptance | Form + deposit |
| Key Notes | Boarding ethos; strong pastoral focus with academics |
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✨ Radley College
Radley College is a full boarding school for boys aged 13 to 18, with a high enrolment of students throughout the year. The school balances academic excellence and extensive extracurricular offerings with a strong school culture embedded with Christian values.
Oxfordshire, OX14 2HR
- 📚 GCSE (Grades 7–9): 79%
- 🎓 A-Level (Grades A–B)*: 87%
- Special mention: 100% A*-A results in Pure Further Maths (for 2025)
- 12 boys secured Oxbridge offers
Fun Fact: Did you know that the school boasts a massive golf course with lovely practice facilities and a clubhouse?
Learn more about the school's admission process here:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Entry Point | 13+ only |
| Registration | Typically by Year 5 |
| Assessments | ISEB Common Pre-Test |
| School Assessments | Radley exams + interview |
| Offer Type | Conditional (academic & character) |
| Acceptance | Form + deposit |
| Key Notes | Highly selective; long admissions timeline |
✨The King's School (Witney)
If you are looking for a Christian-centred co-educational independent school in Oxfordshire, we highly recommend that you look at The King's School.
It caters to students aged 3 to 16 and follows the national curriculum that is embedded with Christian values.
- 📚 GCSE (Grades 7–9): 39.4%
- Examples of offers after GCSE include Bartholomew School, Woodgreen School, Henry Box School, Abingdon and Witney College, City of Oxford College, and Kingham Hill School.
Check out the admission details here:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Entry Points | 3+, 7+, 11+, 16+ |
| Registration | Online application |
| Assessments | School-based assessments |
| Interview | Yes |
| Acceptance | Form + deposit |
| Key Notes | Smaller school; personalised admissions approach |
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✨ Wychwood School
Wychwood School is a co-educational private school that offers day and boarding education options to pupils aged 11 to 18.
- 📚 GCSE (Grades 7–9): 42.9%
- 🎓 A-Level (Grades A–B)*: 49%
- 73% of pupils secure their first choice place at universities such as Durham, Cardiff, Exeter, Royal Holloway, and Plymouth
Fun Fact: The school is known for its Josh McEachran Football Academy to ensure students achieve their academic and athletic goals to the fullest potential, where they can even secure scouting opportunities from professional and semi-professional clubs.
Learn about the school's admission details:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Entry Points | 11+, 13+, 16+ |
| Registration | Online registration |
| Assessments | Entrance exams (English, Maths) |
| Interview | Yes |
| Acceptance | Form + deposit |
| Key Notes | Nurturing environment; good Sixth Form support |
✨ Dragon School
Finally, let's review one of the top independent pre-schools in Oxfordshire, Dragon School.
It offers a solid prep education for pupils from 4 to 13, offering a boarding option for older students.
Oxford OX2 6SS
- Pre-Prep Year 3 £8,310 per term
- Pre-Prep Year 1 and Year 2 £7,230 per term
- Pre-Prep Reception £6,310 per term
Fun fact: Some notable alumni include Emma Watson, Hugh Laurie, and director Rupert Wyatt.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Entry Points | 4+, 7+, 8+, Year 6–8 (prep exit at 13) |
| Registration | Online registration |
| Assessment | Age-appropriate assessment / taster day |
| Interview | Informal (child-focused) |
| Acceptance | Acceptance form + deposit |
| Key Notes | Focus on preparation for 11+ and 13+ senior school entry |
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➡️ Conclusion: Factors to Consider When Choosing a Private School
Now that you have reviewed the essential information and school profiles of these top private schools in Oxfordshire, let’s explore the key factors that could help seal the final decision before beginning the application process.
💼 Academic Performance
While it's important to consider the importance of exam results (GCSE and A-Level) as well as university placements, you'll also have to look at the curriculum breadth and depth in terms of teaching subjects offered by the school.
Some of these top private schools are highly selective in terms of their entrance tests, with consistent proof of progression towards competitive courses at established universities like Oxford, Cambridge, or Russel Group, such as medicine, engineering, and economics.
If your child is inclined towards these courses and has shown academic aptitude at an early age, this would be a significant turning point in turning their aspiration into a reality.
🏉 Extracurricular Opportunities
When choosing a school, you should also look at non-academic offerings to ensure a holistic educational experience for your child, especially in these three areas:
Sports
📌Athletics, indoor sports
Arts
📌Music, drama
Clubs and societies
📌Debate, chess
Extracurricular offerings are a great way to cultivate physical interests, hobbies, and personal development skills. For instance, your child can develop confidence and communication skills through different leadership roles.
If you are looking for dedicated tutors in academic or non-academic subjects (sports or arts) for different learning levels, feel free to connect with an experienced tutor on Superprof to elevate your learning experience.
🎩 School Culture and Values
Before selecting a private school, you should also look into the ethos of each school to know what they believe and stand for. Some schools are more traditional, where they adhere to religious values, while others may advocate for progressiveness and inclusivity.
It's best to choose a school after in-person visiting, where you talk to the teachers, staff, or other parents to get a gist of the school culture, and reflect on whether it's the right fit for your child.
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🏰 Location and Facilities
Of course, we cannot miss out on the location of the school. This boils down to whether your child is opting for a day school or a boarding school option. For day-school options, you'll have to balance travel time and convenience so that your child can reach school on time.
Another point worth noting while visiting the schools on-site is to look at the overall school size alongside their facilities. You can tell a lot about the school's focus and maintenance from the scale of investment in facilities, whether it's science labs, library, drama theatre halls, sports field, or even their boarding houses.
💸 Fees and Financial Assistance
Last but not least, you should also assess the overall fee structure of the school that you plan to apply to. Day schools are generally more affordable than boarding schools, as boarding schools cover more costs in terms of meals, accommodation, and other pastoral care. Some schools also have a different payment structure, whereby they pay per term or even week, so be sure that it is within your allocated budget.
The good news is that many top independent schools offer financial assistance in the form of scholarships (academic, music, or sports) and bursaries, where your child's tuition fees can be partially waived, depending on the terms and conditions.
We hope you have found this article insightful, in terms of knowing the top private schools in Oxfordshire, and have a clearer direction in making the right choice as you review the combination of the above factors.
References
- Independent schools in Oxfordshire. (n.d.). https://www.schoolsearch.co.uk/independent-schools-in-oxfordshire
- Ffrench, A. (2025, December 12). Abingdon private school named as top school by The Times. Oxford Mail. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25693212.independent-girls-school-ranks-highly-times-guide/
- Study Abroad With Maryadi. (2025, February 24). The history of Abingdon School. https://maryadi.co.uk/schools/uk/abingdon-school-3/history/
- Our Name is Mud Ltd. (2025, May 7). Tudor Hall is Top 20 Senior Boarding School 2025. Tudor Hall School. https://www.tudorhallschool.com/news/tudor-hall-is-top-20-senior-boarding-school-2025
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