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Headington Rye Oxford

United Kingdom, Oxford

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £15,351 - 30,783
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1075
Type Co-educational, Girls School (boarding)
Opened 1915
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum
Taught languages French, Spanish, German, Latin, Italian
Strengths Languages, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Headington Rye Oxford is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3 to 18, with two Oxford campuses: Prep at Pullens Lane in Headington and Senior at Headington Road. Set on a 12-acre site, the school features a Forest School, floodlit AstroTurf pitches, a 25m indoor pool, a 300-seat auditorium, a music school and dedicated art and design technology facilities. The curriculum follows the EYFS framework and the British Curriculum, offering breadth across linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education. Pupils study a broad range of GCSE and A Level subjects, with the option to specialise; languages include English Language and Literature, French, Spanish, German, Latin and Greek, with Italian added from 2025. Prep pupils access Senior School facilities for swimming, theatre and fitness, enhancing continuity of learning. Enrichment options include HPQ and the Headington Rye Awards, alongside a wide programme of arts, drama, music and sport.

Prep campus: Pullens Lane, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BY; Senior campus: Headington Road, Oxford OX3 7TD

The Essentials

Headington Rye Oxford has 1,075 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
The school has two campuses in Headington, Oxford. The Prep School is on Pullens Lane (OX3 0BY) and the Senior School is on Headington Road (OX3 7TD).

Stages
Prep School for ages 3–11 (co-educational) and Senior School for ages 11–18 (female).

Type
Independent day and boarding school.

Additional learning support
SEND provision is available; 129 pupils require SEND support; 150 pupils speak English as an additional language.

Country affiliation
England

Religious affiliation
Founded by evangelical Christians
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Headington Rye Oxford has five boarding houses: Davenport (Years 7–9), Hillstow (Years 9–11), Napier (Years 9–11), and Celia Marsh and MacGregor (Sixth Form). Davenport offers a mix of full, weekly and half-weekly boarding; Hillstow and Napier provide double or four-bed dorms for Years 9–11; Celia Marsh and MacGregor house Sixth Form students with single and double bedrooms and both day and boarding kitchen facilities.

Uniform Requirement
Headington Rye Oxford uses a unified Headington Rye Oxford uniform. New pupils entering in September 2024 should purchase Headington Rye branded uniform, and from September 2026 all pupils are expected to wear Headington Rye Oxford uniform; a transition period allows some pupils to wear Rye St Antony uniform until mid-2026. The winter and summer uniform includes a light-blue blouse, a tartan skirt or navy trousers, a navy blazer, a navy pullover, and black shoes; Stevensons on Banbury Road supplies the uniform and there is a second-hand shop on the Prep site; Sixth Form dress is smart casual, with no compulsory uniform.

Food Options
Boarding houses include kitchens for student use: Davenport has a kitchen for spare-time cooking, Hillstow and Napier feature fully equipped kitchens (Napier has two kitchens upstairs for hot drinks), and Celia Marsh and MacGregor have day and boarding kitchens as part of the Sixth Form facilities.

House System
Pupils are grouped into the Davenport, Hillstow and Napier houses for younger and middle years, with Celia Marsh and MacGregor as Sixth Form houses. Each house provides pastoral care and house staff, and Sixth Form houses offer a college-like atmosphere with dedicated study and social spaces.

Governance and Ownership
Headington School Oxford is a charitable trust overseen by a council of governors; the proprietor is Headington School Oxford Ltd. The merger with Rye St Antony School created Headington Rye Oxford, with plans for a single 3–18 site; on 10 April 2026 the company name changed from Headington Rye Oxford Limited to Headington School Oxford Limited, and the site is now known as Headington School.
Fees

Annual tuition at Headington Rye Oxford ranges from GBP 15,351 to GBP 30,783 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration Fees
- Registration/application fees apply at the point of application. For UK applicants the published registration fees (2024–25 schedule) are: Prep School (UK applicant) £95 + VAT; Senior School (UK applicant) £150 + VAT.
- For overseas applicants the school's overseas-admissions guidance lists an application fee charged directly to overseas families of £180 for Prep-age candidates (Nursery to Year 6) and £300 for Senior School and Sixth Form overseas candidates.

Tuition (termly and annual) — Day pupils
- Reception: £5,117 per term — Annual total (three terms) £15,351.
- Year 1–Year 2: £6,067 per term — Annual total £18,201.
- Year 3–Year 4: £6,886 per term — Annual total £20,658.
- Year 5–Year 6: £7,786 per term — Annual total £23,358.
- Year 7–Year 11 (Senior School day): £9,346 per term — Annual total £28,038.
- Sixth Form (current pupils): £9,346 per term — Annual total £28,038. Sixth Form direct entrants: £10,261 per term — Annual total £30,783.

Tuition (termly and annual) — Boarding (Senior School & Sixth Form where applicable)
- Half-weekly boarding (termly): Year 7–11 and Sixth Form current pupils £12,600 — Annual total £37,800. Sixth Form direct entrants £13,922 per term — Annual total £41,766.
- Weekly boarding (termly): Year 7–11 and Sixth Form current pupils £15,773 — Annual total £47,319. Sixth Form direct entrants £17,488 per term — Annual total £52,464.
- Full boarding (termly): Year 7–11 and Sixth Form current pupils £18,882 — Annual total £56,646. Sixth Form direct entrants £20,688 per term — Annual total £62,064.
- Occasional boarding (subject to availability): charged at £120 per night (maximum of 8 nights per academic term).

Nursery fees and pattern-based charges
- Nursery fees are charged per term and vary by the pattern of attendance (mornings-only, full days or mixed combinations). Example per-term figures (selected examples from published schedule): 2 full days £2,199; 3 full days £3,199; 4 full days £4,027; 5 full days £4,546. Morning-only and mixed-session charges are published on the nursery fee schedule and Tax-Free Childcare can be accepted for Nursery fees.

Deposits and Advance Fee
- Prep School acceptance deposit (day): £500.
- Senior School acceptance deposit (day): £1,000. Senior School boarding deposits (UK boarders): half-weekly £1,500; weekly £2,000; full £2,500. Overseas boarders' deposit: £3,250. An Advance Fee for overseas placements is recorded at £12,500. Deposits are generally credited against the final invoice but are non-refundable except in limited, published circumstances.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Annual tuition is divided into three equal parts and invoiced termly. Each term's fees fall due for payment on the first day of that term. Fees must be paid in full by direct debit or direct bank transfer on or before the first day of the term to which the invoice relates. Interest may be charged on late payments at a published rate (the school's contractual rate above its bank base rate). The school may refuse attendance, withhold references or take other contractual steps if fees are not paid.

Fee payment options and related arrangements
- Accepted methods include direct debit and direct bank transfer. Tax-Free Childcare payments can be used for Nursery fees, Aftercare and clubs outside the school day, and for Reception children who have not yet reached compulsory school age; childcare vouchers are accepted for Aftercare and clubs up to Year 10. The school operates a Fees in Advance (FIA) scheme under separate terms. The school may, at its discretion, agree alternative arrangements in writing.

Supplemental charges and other regular additional costs
- Optional extras and commonly charged supplemental items (examples, per term unless otherwise stated):
- Senior School breakfast club: £236 per term. School supper: £6.20 per session. Individual music lessons (10×40 minutes): £540 per term. Instrument hire: wind £80, string £62 per term. Speech & Drama (10×30 minutes): £393 (individual) / £472 (pairs) per term. EAL group lessons: from £56 per hour (senior) / £52 per hour (prep). Aftercare: £7.50 per hour; full aftercare session (to 6.00 pm) £15; late-collection and emergency extension charges also apply. All optional extras are charged as supplemental charges and invoiced termly unless otherwise stated.

Uniform and supplier
- A school uniform is required for all pupils below Sixth Form. The school's specified uniform supplier is Stevensons (Oxford). A second‑hand uniform shop operates from the Prep School site. Specific items (blazer, pullover, tartan skirt or navy trousers, sports tops and socks) and transition arrangements to the unified Headington Rye Oxford uniform are set out in the published uniform policy. (Uniform item prices are set by the supplier and second‑hand shop; the school publishes the required list and supplier details.)

Refunds, deposits and withdrawal terms
- The acceptance deposit is ordinarily non‑refundable if a place is declined or a pupil fails to take up a place, except in limited circumstances where the school fills the vacancy and refunds the deposit less administrative costs. If you wish to withdraw a place before your child starts you must give a term's written notice or pay a term's fees in lieu of notice. After a child has started at the school, a term's notice in writing is required to withdraw a child (longer notice is required at certain key points such as end of Year 11), otherwise fees in lieu of notice become payable. Fees and supplemental charges will not be reduced or refunded for absence due to illness or any other reason; suspension, exclusion or removal from school does not entitle parents to a refund. For exceptional events outside either party's control there are specific contractual provisions that may allow pro‑rata adjustments or cancellation after prolonged disruption; these are subject to the terms set out in the school's contract.

Other points of cost and concessions
- Bursaries through the Headington Access Programme are available but are limited in scope (bursaries are typically for local day Sixth Form pupils and not generally available for boarding or Prep School). Pupils with a parent working in full‑time UK military or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (posted overseas) may qualify for a 20% discount on fees. The school may waive application fees or deposits in exceptional cases of financial hardship as part of the financial assistance process.

If you require the exact numeric totals listed above entered into a specific format for your database, use the per‑term figures provided (they are the published termly charges) and multiply by three to obtain the standard annual totals; the per‑term figures above are the published charge points for each category and are current for the September 2026 term schedule.
Academics

Headington Rye Oxford teaches EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Headington Rye Oxford provides a broad, balanced curriculum across linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education. It promotes intellectual and personal growth, enabling pupils to make the most of opportunities and to develop their talents. The curriculum offers breadth, balance and progression and provides access to a broad range of GCSE and A Level subjects with the option to specialise. Languages include English Language, English Literature, French, Spanish, German, Latin and Greek, with Italian added from 2025. The curriculum also covers Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Trilogy Science; Computing, Three‑Dimensional Design, Food Technology, Fashion and Fabric Design, Graphic Communication; Geography, History, Religious Studies and Classical Civilisation; plus a range of arts subjects such as Art, Drama and Music, and enrichment options including HPQ and Headington Rye Awards.

Student Teacher Ratio
1:8 staff to pupil ratio.

Exam Results
GCSE results for 2026 show 61% of grades at 8 or 9, 78% at 7 or above, and about 20% of the year group achieved 8/9 grades or A* in all subjects. A Level results for 2026 show 65% of grades at A* to A and 89% at A* to B, with A* to A achieved in eight subjects. Subject-specific A Level achievements include 100% A* to A in Fine Art and Lens-based Media, and 100% A* to A in Politics, Spanish and Economics.

Higher Education Progression
Leavers destinations include universities around the world. In the UK, leavers go on to institutions such as Bristol, UCL and King's College London. In the US, graduates have joined Brown, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Yale, Harvard and NYU, among others.

Gifted and Talented
Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) and Headington Rye Awards in Creative Writing, Global Citizenship and Philosophy are offered. The school provides a wealth of supra-curricular enrichment opportunities, including cross-curricular links, educational visits, exchanges, lectures and workshops.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Headington Rye Oxford School provides a supportive, stable, safe, secure, happy and purposeful atmosphere in which pupils can thrive academically, socially, personally and spiritually. There is a culture of positivity, praise, support and encouragement that rewards good behaviour. The School Code of Conduct requires kindness, respect and courtesy, and supports high expectations for learning and conduct. The school aims to develop pupils who are curious and creative, confident yet collaborative, courageous and compassionate—the 6 Cs—underpinning the Pupil Charter. Staff model positive behaviour and form-time, assemblies and co-curricular activity reinforce wellbeing and personal development, with pupils knowing where to turn for support.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
129 pupils require support for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). 150 pupils speak English as an additional language (EAL). There are policies and provisions in place to support both SEND and EAL, with appropriate arrangements for access to learning. Most EAL pupils do not have SEND, but where SEND is identified, EAL pupils have equal access to the school's SEND and learning support provision, and EAL pupils identified as Gifted and Talented have access to appropriate provision. The Senior School also maintains a SEND policy aligned with school-wide safeguarding and inclusion practices.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
A third of our children speak more than one language, and around 30 languages are spoken at the school, with EAL pupils integral to the inclusive community. A pupil is recorded as EAL if their home language is known to be other than English. The aim is to meet the full range of EAL needs and promote equality of integration, access and opportunity for all learners learning English as an additional language. To maximise access, some pupils at early stages of English may receive 1:1 or small group lessons with the EAL teacher, usually 2 x 30 minute lessons per week, while more advanced learners are supported in-class by teachers and learning assistants. Resources include vocabulary development strategies, translations where appropriate, and a range of bilingual or multilingual materials; assessment on entry determines whether a pupil is EAL Fluent or EAL Support.

Mental Wellbeing
Wellbeing is central to school life, with Headington Rye Oxford aiming to provide a supportive, stable, safe and happy environment that fosters pupils' social, personal and spiritual development. The 6 Cs—Curious, Creative, Confident, Collaborative, Courageous and Compassionate—underpin the school's approach to pupil development and character. The school maintains pastoral structures across both prep and senior stages, with regular opportunities in form time, assemblies and the co-curriculum to support mental wellbeing. Pupils have access to multiple sources of support, including a safeguarding framework and staff who listen and respond promptly to concerns. Boarders have additional pastoral support and access to independent listeners as needed.

Safeguarding
The safety and welfare of all pupils at Headington Rye Oxford School is our highest priority. The policy applies equally to EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5. In safeguarding matters the School follows the procedures of the local safeguarding boards and Department for Education guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children. The Safeguarding Team is led by the Designated Safeguarding Lead, with Deputy DSLs and Heads of relevant areas, and Online Safety is overseen by designated coordinators. The DSLs can be contacted during school hours, and the governing body designates senior staff to lead safeguarding and child protection. The School provides multiple channels for pupils to seek help, and staff are trained to respond promptly to concerns.
Parent Experience

History
The school was founded in 1915. It moved to its present site in Oxford in 1929. The school operates as a charitable trust overseen by a council of governors. It is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3 to 18 with neighbouring prep and senior sites.

Community
Headington School Oxford maintains an active community with a calendar of events. The school has hosted combined HPQ and EPQ presentations and a Leavers' Day for the Sixth Form. Headington Connect provides online networking for Sixth Formers, alumnae and parents. News and events pages showcase student performances and activities.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Headington Association is the network for current and former parents, alumnae and friends. The school is actively developing its parent and alumni engagement through development roles and by strengthening alumni networks. The Head of Development and Engagement role emphasizes engaging with the Headington community and family networks. Headington Connect links parents with the Sixth Form and alumnae. The school communicates with parents through events and updates that support student opportunities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school sits on a 12-acre site in Headington, Oxford. It provides a Forest School site, a sports hall, playing fields, floodlit all-weather AstroTurf pitches, a performance space and a music school, specialist art and design technology facilities, a food and technology kitchen, and specialist science facilities. Prep students also benefit from access to Senior School facilities nearby, including the Swimming Pool, Dance & Fitness Centre, Theatre and other sports facilities. The facilities support curriculum delivery across arts, science, and design technology and provide spaces for performance and physical education.

Sports Facilities
The Prep School has its own playing fields and indoor sports amenities, and access to extensive Senior School facilities across the road. Prep facilities include playing fields, a netball court, a large gym and a performance space with sprung floor. Senior School facilities available to the Prep School include a 25m indoor pool, floodlit all-weather AstroTurf pitches, floodlit tennis courts and a Dance and Fitness Centre. These facilities support physical education lessons, clubs and inter-school activities.

Academic Facilities
Art, Drama and Music facilities include specialist art and design technology facilities with a dedicated light and airy Art Room. A generous performance space for Music, Dance and Drama includes a 300-seat auditorium with racked seating, full lighting rigging, stage and backstage area. Two fully-equipped Music Rooms and dedicated music practice rooms support classroom learning and lessons. Specialist science facilities back up science teaching, and the Library sits at the heart of the Prep with well-stocked books, CDs and DVDs, quiet reading spaces, reserved work stations and a catalogue system. Timetabled weekly library lessons are led by a qualified teacher and support independent research; the Library also hosts events for National Poetry Day and World Book Day.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Forest School outdoor learning is available on the site, and the Prep offers access to performing arts spaces including music rooms and a theatre environment. The Prep uses the Senior School Theatre and other facilities for performances and events, supporting a broad program of arts, drama and music through specialist facilities and venues.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school provides a curriculum that gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education. The curriculum aims to promote intellectual and personal growth so pupils can make the most of opportunities, develop their intellect and talents, and gain the confidence for lifelong independent learning. Headington Rye Oxford School seeks to develop lively and enquiring minds, breadth of knowledge, a flexible outlook, and skills of innovation, enterprise and leadership. The core habits of mind embedded in the curriculum are Curiosity, Creativity, Collaboration, Compassion, Confidence and Courage.

Arts & Creative
The curriculum includes Art, Three Dimensional Design, Textile Design, Music, Drama, Dance and Food Technology. These subjects form part of GCSE options and the wider curriculum, supporting creative expression across the arts. Headington Rye also provides supra-curricular enrichment opportunities such as lectures, workshops, cultural visits and foreign exchanges. Facilities support Music, Art, Drama and Dance with dedicated spaces and performance venues to nurture creative work.

Cultural & Language
The linguistic programme includes English Language, French, Spanish, German, Latin and Greek. From Year 9 onward pupils select from a broad range of GCSE subjects, with continued emphasis on language study as part of a diverse curriculum. The school offers Modern and Classical languages and supports cross-cultural experiences through foreign exchanges and community engagement. Italian is being introduced from 2025, expanding language options further.

Social & Hobbies
The school operates a competitive house system that provides leadership opportunities for Middle School and Sixth Formers, including organising events from inter-house poetry slams to sports. Form Captains act as spokespersons, and Prefects provide additional leadership roles across year groups. There are extensive supra-curricular opportunities, including cross-curricular links, educational visits, and cultural activities that enrich social and hobby interests. These structures foster collaboration, debate and student-led initiatives.

Community & Service
The school supports community and service through Diversity Champions and Diversity Ambassadors, with involvement in charity activities and school-wide social responsibility initiatives. There are links with the local community and opportunities to engage in civic and charitable activities as part of the school's broader ethos.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership and enterprise are emphasised across the curriculum, with explicit opportunities to develop leadership skills and have a voice in school life. Careers guidance and external talks support preparation for higher education and professional pathways. Roles such as Form Captains, Prefects and House leadership provide practical leadership experience within the school.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school aims to develop a healthy lifestyle and safe environment for all pupils, with social interaction fostering wellbeing and interpersonal skills. Medical care, nutrition, accommodation and pastoral care meet national standards and are provided to support boarders' welfare. The PSHE and pastoral programme emphasizes safe relationships, personal health and wellbeing, and informed decision-making.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches a language from a choice of French, German and Spanish in Year 7, increasing to two languages by Year 8. In the Sixth Form, languages include French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Classical Greek and Latin. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided for pupils whose first language is not English, with an EAL Coordinator and weekly lessons, to support access to the curriculum and integration into school life, identified via the Oxford Placement Test. New Sixth Form entrants who do not have GCSE English are prepared for IELTS.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Apply and pay the registration fee. Submit the online application form and pay the Registration Fee for 2024-2025: Prep School UK £95 + VAT; Prep School Overseas £150 + VAT; Senior School UK £150 + VAT; Senior School Overseas £250 + VAT. 2. Entrance assessments and interviews. Prep School entry (Nursery to Year 2) is determined by a visit or virtual meeting; Reception uses emergent tasks; Years 3–6 entry is by assessment in Mathematics, English and Non‑Verbal Reasoning plus an interview and a day with peers. Senior School entry (Year 7/11+, Year 9/13+, Year 12/16+) involves entrance papers, interviews and, for overseas applicants, remote assessments where appropriate. 3. Language, EAL and international considerations. English as an Additional Language is assessed; candidates may take the OUP language test and EAL lessons are compulsory and chargeable if needed. International candidates may be interviewed and assessed remotely and there is no requirement to use an agent unless language support is needed. 4. Decisions and offers. After the relevant entrance examinations, results, interviews and reports are reviewed by a panel; offers are sent by e‑letter, usually within three weeks of the entrance day; in some cases, candidates may be invited to join a waiting list. 5. Appeals and progression. If a decision is contested, parents may appeal via the Director of Marketing and Admissions; the Headmistress's decision is final. 6. Transition and additional information. Transition events help prep pupils familiarise themselves with the Senior School; international and additional considerations are addressed through the admissions team as needed.

Scholarships
Scholarships recognise merit and offer opportunities to develop in the chosen area; most scholarships do not carry a financial award, but there are special academic and music scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+; music scholarships may include free tuition for a musical instrument. Scholarship holders benefit from the school's enrichment and extension programmes. Scholarship candidates may also apply for means‑tested support worth up to 100% of day fees. Financial assistance through the Headington Rye Access Programme (HRAP) can provide up to 100% of day fees for Year 7 (11+) and up to 50% for Year 9 (13+); HRAP awards are separate from the scholarships programme and are means‑tested. Financial assistance for Prep School or boarding fees is not available; HRAP awards are confidential and based on entrance performance and family circumstances.

Waitlist
In some cases, suitable applicants may be asked to join a waiting list.
School Events
The school has not added events
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