Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-12.jpg" alt="Abingdon Senior School " class="wp-image-195400" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-12.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-12-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-12-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-12-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This highly regarded day and boarding school in Abingdon, known for its strong all-rounder offering, has undergone something of a metamorphosis over the last few years. In 1997 it added a Prep School (formerly Josca’s, now called Abingdon Prep as part of the Abingdon Foundation) to create a through-school offering; and in Sept 2026, it becomes co-ed, welcoming girls in the first year and Sixth Form with girls joining in the third year from 2028.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>This review focuses on the Senior school, which you’ll find tucked away near the centre of the ancient market town of Abingdon (about 15 mins’ drive from central Oxford) in 35 acres of grounds. One of the oldest schools in the UK, Abingdon School was founded in the 13<sup>th</sup> Century, before moving to its current site in 1870. The buildings are handsome – one grand Victorian red brick mansion along with a raft of sympathetic contemporary additions. There’s a relatively large cohort of 1080 pupils here, with around 90% of pupils from the 200-strong Abingdon Prep making the move up each year. Class sizes hover around a manageable 24 up until Sixth Form, so although it’s academically fast-paced, there’s plenty of attention too.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facilities">FACILITIES</h2>



<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sport">SPORT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-4-1000x667.jpg" alt="Abingdon Senior School students" class="wp-image-195408" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-4-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Sport is one of Abingdon School’s strong cards and it has the facilities to prove it. A colossal Sports Centre, completed in 2008, will put your local municipal to shame with two gyms, its eight lane indoor swimming pool, climbing wall, two squash courts, ergo room, fitness studio and physio suite. A multi-use sports area primarily for tennis, opened in 2016, and a second multi-use area featuring netball, basketball and netball courts is currently under construction. Rowing is a major sport here – the school has its own snazzy boat club about a mile from the school, and the J14 A crew won the National Schools Regatta in May 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>There are tons of playing fields for rugby, football, athletics and hockey utilising onsite pitches but also nearby Tilsley Park Athletics Ground and Abingdon Prep School’s Fields. In preparation for the girls’ arrival, a new Assistant Director of Sport was appointed in September 2025. Netball has been added to the sporting offer and The plan is to develop all girls sport so it is on an equal footing with the provision for current pupils &#8211; this will include cricket, football and hockey, as well as developing activities such as rock climbing, dance and fencing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-arts">THE ARTS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-11.jpg" alt="Abingdon Senior School students performing school play" class="wp-image-195401" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-11.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-11-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-11-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There’s a dedicated Arts Centre here for music and drama, including the 450-seat commercial Amey Theatre for performances. There are fifteen large ensembles including three orchestras, three string ensembles, two Jazz bands three choirs, 14 pupil rock bands, alongside a rich and varied programme of Chamber music, (pupils recently performed at the Holywell Music Rooms in Oxford, said to be the oldest purpose-built concert hall in Europe), and open mic events. The emphasis is on helping pupils to find the music that’s right for them.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music">MUSIC</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-8.jpg" alt="Abingdon Senior School students playing instruments" class="wp-image-195404" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-8.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-8-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Around 35% of pupils play a musical instrument in school. The Art department has its own floor in Beech Court, which also holds the library and Sixth Form Centre.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-general">GENERAL</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-6.jpg" alt="Abingdon Senior School students science experiment" class="wp-image-195406" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-6.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-6-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Put on that white lab coat, you’re going to be busy. The Yang Science Centre has put a rocket up the sciences since it opened in 2015 with its 21 (21!!!) science labs, so if STEM is your child’s passion, you’re in the right place.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>There’s a replete library here, and nice to see there’s a Lower School common room as well as a smart Sixth Form Centre.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-academics">ACADEMICS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-9.jpg" alt="Abingdon Senior School students in front of school" class="wp-image-195403" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-9.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-9-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-9-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Abingdon School is fertile ground for children with academic chops. There have been 40 Oxbridge places offered to Abingdon pupils in the last three years, and grades for GSCEs and A levels are consistently high. In 2025 for GSCEs, 45% pupils gained top grade 9s (A*), 72% gained 9-8 (A*), and 87% were awarded 9-7 (A*-A). For A Levels it was a similar story &#8211; 72% pupils gained A*-A, 89% A*-B, 98% gained A*-C.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Most pupils study 10 GCSES and, unusually these days, all three sciences are compulsory. There are some funky GCSE options including Electronics, Greek, Mandarin, Philosophy &amp; Theology and even Astronomy, while A Levels offers Government &amp; Politics, Psychology and Business Studies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, academics are only half the story here. The ‘Other Half’ – literally – is about balancing out academic study with over 150 different societies, clubs and interests. More than lip service, ‘The Other Half’ is integrated into the curriculum, with everything from Bellringing and Architecture Clubs to Sailing and Cooking for Students and is a real calling card for the school.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pastoral-care">PASTORAL CARE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-7.jpg" alt="Abingdon Senior School students with teacher learning" class="wp-image-195405" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-7.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-7-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>No decent school these days can dare to drop a ball on pastoral care, and Abingdon has all the checks and balances in place. There’s a full time (non-teaching) Head of Wellbeing with experience in mental health, and every single member of staff here is mental health first aid trained. A team of school counsellors can be contacted directly by the children. There’s a Pets As Therapy dog, and the Chaplain is also on hand to help.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boarding">BOARDING</h2>



<p>There are three boarding houses&nbsp;integrating the 150 or so boarders with day pupils. With that in mind there’s a rolling programme of improving the boarding houses (think homely, not designer), with pupils from Year 11 upwards getting their own rooms. Boarding is weekly or termly.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-send">SEND</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-1.jpg" alt="Abingdon Senior School students" class="wp-image-195411" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-1-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Around 18% of the school cohort have an identified special educational need so even though the pace of academic work zips along here, there’s scaffolding in place for those who need it, with a dedicated Academic Support Department who tailor their approach to each student’s level of need. The main forms of intervention include small study groups, one to one lessons (organised&nbsp; on a rotational basis to minimise disruption to the curriculum) and review of exam arrangements and performance.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-head">THE HEAD</h2>



<p>Michael Windsor has been nine years in the top spot and, blimey, he’s been a busy man. He’s overseen some serious facility upgrades, will take the school co-ed in 2026 and has developed a stronger role in the community, partnering with other local schools as part of the OX14 Learning Partnership. His view is that Abingdon School is an “academically ambitious co-ed with a real focus on the Other Half” and that elevator pitch is clearly having an impact – no dip in numbers here despite the VAT malaise and national parent panic. Friendly but professional when we meet, there’s clearly more to him than smart strategy; his own ‘Other Half’ CV includes being a linguist and playing double bass in classical and jazz ensembles.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mobile-phone-policy">MOBILE PHONE POLICY</h2>



<p>Changes depending on year group. First and Second Years are permitted to have ‘brick’ phones (no smart phones) which they hand in at the beginning of the school day. Middle School students can bring their phones to school but must turn them off by 8.30am and not be seen or heard until the end of the day. Sixth Formers may use phones during the school day but must not use them in lessons without permission, and must avoid using their phone in front of younger pupils.&nbsp;View the school&#8217;s policy<a href="https://www.abingdon.org.uk/about/school-policies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> here. </a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quirks">QUIRKS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior.jpg" alt="Abingdon Senior School students" class="wp-image-195412" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Abingdon-School-Senior-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Not many schools can boast a history going back to the 13<sup>th</sup> Century – Abingdon School is the 12<sup>th</sup> oldest school in the UK, which is going some!&nbsp; In more recent history, Lacies Court, where the Head lives, was in the 1940s the home of the atomic spy, Klaus Fuchs, who was lodging there as a Harwell scientist.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isi-report">ISI REPORT</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.abingdon.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Abingdon-EQI-report-v5-2023-06-12-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most recent report is from 2023</a> with all standards met and excellence across the board.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transport">TRANSPORT</h2>



<p>Easy peasy. There’s a <a href="https://www.abingdon.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Abingdon-Maps-2025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bus service</a> (JBS), which is bookable up to midnight for the following day and brings in kids from as far as Hungerford, Swindon and Bicester. There are also excellent public bus routes and train stations in nearby Radley and, of course, Oxford.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fees">FEES</h2>



<p>Not cheap my friend, but then this is one of the best schools in Oxfordshire (which is saying something). Including lunches and VAT, day fees are £9500 per term, weekly boarding is £15,810 and full boarding is £19,375. There are bursaries available – currently 74 students benefit from a subsidy on their fees of up to 100%.   </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-word-on-the-ground">WORD ON THE GROUND</h2>



<p>It’s the mix of academics and ‘the other half’ that parents love about this school, the sense of their kids getting a balanced all-rounder grounding.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>Smart, sociable kids ready to grasp their opportunities are going to fly here. The school’s all-rounder ethos means there are great opportunities across sports and the arts. Parents with both boys and girls can now bung them both in one place – result.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> The academic pace is fast so if you think your child could be bumping along the bottom, it might be worth looking elsewhere. The school will be fully co-ed by 2030 but for the next few years the girls will be pioneers.</p>



<p><strong>Fancy a visit? </strong>Be my guest! There are plenty of opportunities to visit throughout the year, so keep your eyes out on the <a href="https://www.abingdon.org.uk/admissions/visit-abingdon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website</a> for the next upcoming dates. There&#8217;s plenty happening during May and June 2026, with Open Days from <strong>Sat 9 May</strong> to <strong>Fri 19 June</strong>. <a href="https://www.abingdon.org.uk/admissions/visit-abingdon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book your spot here</a>. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.abingdon.org.uk/prep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Abingdon School,</em></a><em> Park Rd, Abingdon OX14 1DE.</em>&nbsp;</p>


Abingdon School, Abingdon

You may also like