Abingdon offers a distinctive educational landscape with a focus on independent schools, each offering unique approaches to learning and development.
Abingdon School is a renowned independent boys' boarding and day school with a strong academic tradition and a wide array of extracurricular activities. The school focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, emphasizing academic achievement, character development, and leadership skills.
Our Lady's Abingdon (OLA) is an independent co-educational Catholic school, known for its welcoming and inclusive community. OLA offers a broad curriculum with a strong focus on academic excellence and personal growth, fostering a supportive environment where students are encouraged to reach their full potential.
Below, you can find an updated list of all the private and grammar schools in Abingdon. Click the links below for individual school/admissions information, as well as some free 11 Plus exam papers in a similar style to those the school uses for its admissions test for year 7.
All Private and Grammar Schools in Abingdon
Abingdon School
Address: Park Road, Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire OX14 1DE, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1256.
Type of School: Independent, day and boarding school for boys (co-educational from September 2026).
Age Range: 11-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths and reasoning.
Notable Features: Abingdon School is a historic and highly regarded independent school with a strong academic tradition. The school is known for its excellent teaching, wide range of co-curricular activities, and emphasis on developing well-rounded individuals. It has a strong focus on pastoral care and offers both day and boarding options. The school will become fully co-educational in 2026.
Resources:
Abingdon School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Our Lady's Abingdon School
Address: Radley Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3PS, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1860.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational, Catholic day school.
Age Range: 7-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths and verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: Our Lady's Abingdon is a Catholic independent school with a strong sense of community, known for providing a supportive and nurturing environment. It offers a broad and innovative curriculum that caters to individual strengths and interests, along with a wide range of co-curricular activities. The school welcomes students of all faiths and none, fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment.
Resources:
Our Lady's Abingdon School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Radley College
Address: Radley, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 2HR, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1847.
Type of School: Independent, all-boys, full boarding school.
Age Range: 13-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: ISEB Common Pre-Test.
Notable Features: Radley College is one of the UK's leading independent boarding schools, renowned for its strong academic tradition, extensive grounds (800 acres), and focus on character development. The school offers a broad curriculum with a wide range of subjects, including the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and a bespoke Pre-U programme.
Resources:
Radley College – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
St Helen and St Katharine
Address: Faringdon Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 1BE, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1903 (merger of St Helen's School and St Katharine's School in 1938).
Type of School: Independent, all-girls day school.
Age Range: 9-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English and maths.
Notable Features: St Helen and St Katharine is a leading independent girls' school known for its academic excellence, vibrant intellectual atmosphere, and commitment to empowering young women. The school offers a broad and challenging curriculum, extensive extracurricular opportunities, and a supportive community that fosters intellectual curiosity, creativity, and social responsibility. It also has a strong focus on pastoral care and offers a range of bursaries and scholarships to ensure accessibility.
Resources:
St Helen and St Katharine – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information