Headington Rye Oxford
School summary
Founded in 1915, Headington Rye Oxford is a large girls' school combining day and boarding education across the 11-18 age range. With 848 pupils and an unusually generous pupil-to-teacher ratio of around eight to one, classes are small and individual attention is built into the structure of the school. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it excellent for both overall quality and pupil personal development, and judged it compliant with regulatory standards. Around 14% of pupils receive SEN support, and the school offers means-tested bursaries and hardship funding alongside a broad scholarship programme.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
76%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
57%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
83%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 17 January 2023
Teaching & academics
Results sit well above national benchmarks: 76% of GCSE entries reach grades 9-7, against a national average of 23%, and at A-level 57% of grades are A*-A compared with 28% nationally. The sixth form, which numbers 219 pupils, leans strongly towards the sciences and humanities, with Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Economics among the most popular A-level choices. Beyond GCSE and A-level, the school offers BTEC and the EPQ, and modern languages extend to French, Spanish, German and Chinese.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Headmistress · Mrs Caroline Jordan
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 219
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Sport centres on hockey and rowing, the latter reflecting the school's riverside city setting. Scholarships in Art, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport point to active programmes in each, giving girls with particular talents a route to develop them alongside their academic work.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1915
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 14.43%
- EHC plans
- 0.09%
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £22,266 - £29,628
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £36,036 - £59,166
Means-tested bursaries and hardship funding available
Schools nearby
EF Academy Oxford
Oxford, South East
Headington Rye Oxford Prep School
Oxford, South East
Oxford International College
South East
Magdalen College School
Oxford, South East
New College School
Oxford, South East
Kings Education (Oxford)
Oxford, South East
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A high-achieving Oxford girls' school where small classes and strong results meet genuine breadth in sport and the arts. Day and boarding fees are substantial, but bursaries widen the door.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
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Headington Rye Oxford 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.