Headington School
A large girls' school in Headington — boarding and day, from age 3 to 18.
Headington School sits on a sprawling campus in the heart of Headington, with facilities that would make some universities envious. It takes girls from age 3 through to 18, with boarding available from Year 6. The school has climbed steadily up the league tables over the past two decades and now sits comfortably in the top tier of girls' schools nationally. Academic results at GCSE and A-level are strong, with a good spread of girls going to Russell Group universities including Oxbridge.
What parents should know
Fees run from approximately £15,000 at prep level to around £21,000 for senior day pupils and £40,000 for full boarders — check the school's website for current fees. The school is selective but not brutally so — they're looking for potential as well as current achievement. The teaching is consistently good, and the school has invested heavily in STEM facilities. Sport is taken seriously, particularly in hockey, netball, and rowing. The creative arts are also strong — the school has produced several professional actors and musicians.
One thing that distinguishes Headington from competitors like Oxford High or St Helen's is the boarding element. The school has a genuine boarding community, with a mix of British and international girls, and this gives it a different atmosphere — more 24/7, more communal. If your daughter thrives in that environment, it's a major plus. If she's a committed day girl, she may find the school's rhythms occasionally oriented around boarders.
The reputation
Headington has established itself as a first choice for many Oxford families. The school is seen as warm, ambitious, and well-run. Among Oxford parents, Headington is known for building girls' confidence alongside strong academic outcomes. It's particularly suited to girls who are all-rounders — active in sport, the arts, and academics in combination.
