Oxfordshire offers a diverse range of private secondary schools, each with its unique strengths and educational philosophies.
In Oxfordshire, there are no grammar schools. However, the county is home to numerous prestigious private schools, catering to both boarding and day students.
Schools like Magdalen College School and Headington Rye School are renowned for their strong academic traditions and consistently high achievement rates. These schools offer a broad curriculum with a focus on academic rigour, preparing students for top universities.
Below, you can find an updated list of all the private and grammar schools in Oxfordshire. 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 Oxfordshire
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
Bloxham School
Address: Bloxham, Banbury OX15 4PE, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1860.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 11-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths and verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: Bloxham School is a renowned independent school set in a beautiful rural campus in Oxfordshire. It offers a holistic education, focusing on academic excellence, character development, and a wide range of co-curricular activities. The school has a strong Christian ethos, but welcomes students of all faiths and none. It is known for its supportive and inclusive community, where students are encouraged to explore their passions and develop their individual talents.
Resources:
Bloxham School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Cokethorpe School
Address: Witney, Oxfordshire OX29 7PU, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1957.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day school.
Age Range: 4-18 years old (Pre-Prep, Prep, and Senior School).
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English and maths.
Notable Features: Cokethorpe School is a vibrant and inclusive independent school set in 150 acres of picturesque Oxfordshire countryside. It is known for its strong academic results, broad curriculum, and extensive co-curricular program with over 160 options. The school emphasizes a holistic approach to education, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and individual growth.
Resources:
Cokethorpe School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Cranford House School
Address: Moulsford-on-Thames, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 9HT, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1931.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day school.
Age Range: 3-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English and maths.
Notable Features: Cranford House School is a leading independent school nestled in the Oxfordshire countryside. Renowned for its warm and nurturing environment, the school fosters academic excellence through a modern and progressive approach. It provides a vibrant education with a rich extra-curricular programme and exceptional pastoral care. The school was rated 'Excellent' in all categories in its most recent ISI Inspection and has been consistently ranked highly in national league tables.
Resources:
Cranford House School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
D'Overbroeck's
Address: 333 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7PX, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1977.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 11-18 years old (Years 7-13).
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English and maths.
Notable Features: d'Overbroeck's is a leading independent school in Oxford known for its progressive approach to education, focusing on personalised learning and encouraging students to think independently and creatively. The school offers a broad and flexible curriculum, including GCSE, A-Level, and International Baccalaureate (IB) options. It has a diverse and international student body, with a strong emphasis on pastoral care and well-being.
Resources:
D'Overbroeck's – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Headington Rye School
Address: Headington Road, Oxford OX3 7TD, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1915.
Type of School: Independent, all-girls day and boarding school.
Age Range: 3-18 years old (Nursery, Preparatory, and Senior School).
Entrance Exam Type: School’s own English and maths exams and CEM Select.
Notable Features: Headington Rye School is a leading independent girls' school renowned for its academic excellence, broad curriculum, and extensive co-curricular program. The school is set in a beautiful 23-acre campus in Oxford and offers a wide range of opportunities in sports, music, drama, and the arts. It is known for its supportive and inclusive community, which encourages girls to develop their talents and interests and to become confident and independent young women. Headington School merged with Rye St Antony School in 2024 to become Headington Rye.
Resources:
Headington Rye School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Kingham Hill School
Address: Kingham, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 6TH, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1886.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 11-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths and reasoning.
Notable Features: Kingham Hill School is a vibrant and welcoming independent school nestled in the picturesque Cotswolds. It is known for its strong Christian ethos, emphasis on character development, and commitment to providing a well-rounded education that nurtures individual talents and passions. The school offers a broad curriculum, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and a supportive community that fosters a love of learning and a sense of social responsibility.
Resources:
Kingham Hill School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Magdalen College School
Address: Magdalen College School, Oxford OX4 1DZ, United Kingdom.
Founded: c. 1480.
Type of School: Independent, day school for boys (co-educational sixth form).
Age Range: 7-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths and verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: Magdalen College School is a prestigious independent school with a rich history dating back to the 15th century. Located in the heart of Oxford, MCS benefits from world-class university connections while maintaining strong links to the local community through its partnerships. A significant and growing number of pupils receive bursaries. The school is renowned for its academic excellence, offering a broad and challenging curriculum, and its exceptional extracurricular programs in sports, music, art, and drama. Pastoral care is considered outstanding and is at the heart of everything they do.
Resources:
Magdalen College School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Oratory School
Address: Woodcote, Reading, Oxfordshire RG8 0PJ, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1859.
Type of School: Independent, Catholic, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 11-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: The Oratory School is a renowned Catholic independent school with a strong academic tradition and a focus on developing well-rounded individuals. Situated on a stunning 100-acre campus in the Oxfordshire countryside, the school offers a broad and challenging curriculum, extensive extracurricular opportunities, and a supportive community that fosters intellectual curiosity, creativity, and spiritual growth. The school also has a dedicated learning support department to cater to students with specific learning differences.
Resources:
Oratory 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
Oxford High School GDST
Address: Belbroughton Road, Oxford OX2 6XA, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1875.
Type of School: Independent, all-girls day school (part of the Girls' Day School Trust).
Age Range: 4-18 years old (Nursery, Junior, and Senior School).
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths and reasoning.
Notable Features: Oxford High School GDST is a leading independent girls' school renowned for its academic excellence, commitment to empowering young women, and vibrant, creative atmosphere. The school offers a broad and challenging curriculum, extensive extracurricular opportunities, and a supportive and inclusive community. It emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and independence, preparing students for success at top universities and beyond.
Resources:
Oxford High School GDST – 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
Shiplake College
Address: Shiplake, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 4BW, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1959.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 11-18 years old (transitioning to fully co-educational by 2027).
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English and maths.
Notable Features: Shiplake College is an independent school known for its exceptional riverside location, focus on the "whole child" development, and strong rowing program. It boasts a nurturing and supportive environment, a broad curriculum with a variety of academic and vocational pathways, and extensive extracurricular opportunities in sports, arts, and community service.
Resources:
Shiplake College – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
St Edward's School
Address: Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 7NN, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1863.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational boarding and day school.
Age Range: 13-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: ISEB Common Pre-Test.
Notable Features: St Edward's School is a leading independent school renowned for its academic excellence, strong pastoral care, and extensive co-curricular program. The school is set in a beautiful 100-acre parkland campus and offers a wide range of opportunities in sports, music, drama, and the arts. It is known for its diverse and inclusive community, which encourages students to develop their individual talents and interests and to become confident, independent, and globally-minded young people.
Resources:
St Edward's School – 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
Tudor Hall School
Address: Wykham Park, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 9UR, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1850.
Type of School: Independent, all-girls boarding and day school.
Age Range: 11-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English, maths and verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: Tudor Hall School is one of the oldest girls' boarding and day schools in Britain, known for its nurturing environment, strong academic record, and emphasis on personal development. The school offers a wide range of subjects and co-curricular activities, including a renowned equestrian centre, and fosters a close-knit community atmosphere. It encourages girls to become confident, independent thinkers and compassionate global citizens.
Resources:
Tudor Hall School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Wychwood School
Address: 74 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 6JR, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1897.
Type of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 11-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam testing English and maths.
Notable Features: Wychwood School is a vibrant and creative independent school located in the heart of Oxford. It is known for its nurturing and supportive environment, emphasis on individual learning, and commitment to academic excellence. The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum, a wide range of co-curricular activities, including a strong focus on the arts, and a unique boarding experience in a converted Victorian house.
Resources:
Wychwood School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information