Prospectus September 2023

ST EDWARD’S . OXFORD PROSPECTUS

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‘St Edward’s, Oxford is on fire – academic ambitions are at an all-time high, but none of the school’s characteristic warmth and roundedness has been sacrificed in the pursuit.’

TALK EDUCATION

‘St Edward’s has the edge over other independents in its position on the threshold of a vibrant university town.’

THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

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Warden

Alastair Chirnside, formerly Deputy Head at Harrow, became Warden of St Edward’s in September 2021.

Alastair was brought up in Oxford and attended the Dragon, winning a Scholarship to Eton where he later taught. He took a Congratulatory First in Classics and Modern Languages at Merton College, Oxford, where he also won a Lightweight Rowing Half Blue. Before embarking on his teaching career, Alastair worked in fund management at Schroders.

‘There has never been a more exciting time to join St Edward’s. There is momentum in every area of school life, from innovations in the curriculum to results in examinations, from new buildings to modern boarding. There are opportunities for all to take part and for all to excel. There is the happiness that comes from belonging. All the skills for the 21st century are taught, and at the same time pupils can be themselves. Those hallmarks of a St Edward’s education are best experienced on a visit, and I hope to see you in Oxford.’ ALASTAIR CHIRNSIDE

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St Edward’s, Oxford St Edward’s is a refreshingly different kind of school. Our deliberate approach of selecting young people based on their attitude and ambition means that the community fizzes with diverse interests and enthusiasms. Academic results are on a sharp upward trend, opening up countless opportunities for our pupils and allowing them to take up places at the world’s best universities. Academic work is unquestionably the most important part of our pupils’ education, but at Teddies there is so much more to school life. Talented scholars, musicians, sportswomen and men, performers, dancers, humanitarians, adventurers, entrepreneurs, filmmakers and artists – among many others – live and work together, inspire each other, and become lifelong friends. Opportunities at St Edward’s are greatly enhanced by the size of the campus and the outstanding facilities in all areas of school life. The new Christie Centre is a landmark academic building, complemented by the spectacular Olivier Hall for performances and events. Elsewhere, 100 acres of grounds, the high-specification Ogston Music School, The North Wall Arts Centre and the Nuffield Health Fitness and Wellbeing Gym mean that pupils have every opportunity to pursue their passions and interests. Plans for a major project to enhance the Field Side of the School, including the building of a new sport and community centre, are well underway and will create even greater opportunities for our pupils and for the local community. Beyond School, pupils enjoy being part of the wider community of Oxford, a beautiful, culturally sophisticated university city offering tangible connections to the wider world. It is an exciting and transformative combination.

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‘Pupils of all ages and ability demonstrate outstanding academic achievements.’ THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE

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‘Every single day at Teddies offered new excitements and opportunities and I am grateful for every minute. In the years you are at Teddies you meet amazing people and discover what you are really passionate about as well as creating lifelong friends and having loads of fun. A huge amount of thought is given to every pupil and the pastoral care really is excellent – there is always somebody to talk to. Thanks to the academic enrichment and support that Teddies provided I went on to study Modern Languages at Oxford. I will always remember my time at Teddies with great fondness because of its kind and friendly

atmosphere.’ GWENDY, OSE

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Academic In recent years, the academic life of St Edward’s has been transformed with modern approaches and new programmes. At the heart of the School’s academic ethos are several key principles: that anything is possible and that all pupils can and must engage fully in their own learning, and the learning of their peers. Brand new university-style academic facilities have recently opened at the heart of the School in the Quad. Striking, contemporary spaces are already bringing fresh vitality to Teddies’ forward-looking academic programme and providing a whole new range of learning opportunities to inspire pupils of all ages. Sixth Formers find themselves in the rare position of being able to choose between A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, a stimulating choice that enables our pupils to work to their strengths. In the Middle School (the Fourth and Fifth Forms) pupils can choose to study two of our own Pathways and Perspectives courses alongside their GCSEs. These innovative new courses have been designed by St Edward’s in conjunction with leading educationalists to stretch and inspire.

‘The quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent.’ THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE

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The Sixth Form Roe Reading Room in the new Christie Centre

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A Modern Education

The design of the new Christie Centre responds directly to the way in which education is changing. Pupils no longer spend most of their time sitting in rows in front of a teacher: they are required to talk to each other, to carry out their own research, to work together, and to discuss, to debate and to question. The new facilities have created versatile, uplifting learning environments where teacher-led study spaces sit alongside areas where pupils work independently, giving pupils more variety in how they approach their studies. Whether they need a quiet reading room for research, a modern library where they can share ideas and study together, a break-out zone in which to discuss a project with their peers, a stimulating view from the study deck overlooking the Quad or the less formal workspace of the ground floor café, pupils will discover new opportunities to work together, think together and be together.

‘Teddies is a holistic powerhouse striving to open even more doors for its pupils by pushing the boundaries academically.’ TALK EDUCATION

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The Oxley Library in the new Christie Centre

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Shell Entry Each year, around 150 pupils join us from some 60 different schools from all over the country – and the world – so everyone is ready to make new friends, try new experiences and become immersed in the dynamic Shell curriculum. New pupils join a diverse, cheerful and welcoming community. Seventeen percent of pupils come from over 40 different countries, 23% join us from Greater London, 14% are day pupils and the boy/girl split of 55%/45% is balancing out with the growth of our co-educational Houses. Many of our new Shells have never boarded before so the first few weeks are carefully designed to ensure that pupils are busy, engaged and have plenty of opportunities to get to know each other.

‘There’s a sense of belonging. Everyone is treated equally. It doesn’t matter whether you’re sporty, arty or academic, we’re all the same. There are opportunities for everyone.’ LOWER SCHOOL PUPIL ‘They emphasise kindness a lot. Ambition and kindness don’t often go hand in hand.’ THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

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Sixth Form Entry Around 65 new Sixth Formers are warmly welcomed into the St Edward’s community each year and choose between A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Most Teddies pupils progress through the School from the Shell year to the Upper Sixth. Numbers are gently increased in the Sixth Form to welcome a new group of young people who bring fresh perspectives and added vitality to the existing community. The Sixth Form academic programme at St Edward’s is rigorous, innovative and rewarding. Pupils are expected to be self-motivated and to work hard, and are supported in their endeavours by a wide network of specialists and advisors. Academic work is enhanced by a stimulating programme of speakers, academic societies, visits and numerous enrichment opportunities in Oxford and in London, within the UK and internationally. Higher Education and Careers guidance is comprehensive. Specialist advice is available on all aspects of applying to university in the UK, the US and Europe, including tailored advice for those applying to Oxford, Cambridge and Ivy League universities. A few pupils each year choose to go straight into work, and interest in degree apprenticeships is growing. The Employability and Career Education Department provides careful monitoring of pupils’ aspirations, wherever they lie, in a wide-ranging programme embedded in the academic timetable. Being at school in a world-famous university city, as part of a friendly, engaged community, means that the opportunities are limitless. Join – or start – an academic society, take up an instrument, put on a play, join a sports team, draw on the academic excellence of Oxford University, see plays, gigs and concerts, hear top speakers – or simply enjoy the sheer beauty of the city.

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School Life Teddies is well known for its friendliness and the strong bonds between pupils of all year groups, and between staff and pupils. At around 810 pupils, St Edward’s is big enough to be a lively community, with endless opportunities, but small enough for pupils’ voices to be heard, and for them to know most of their fellow pupils. Pastoral care is outstanding. From the moment they join the School, pupils are made aware of the wide network of support available to them. In House, Housemasters and Housemistresses, Tutors, Matrons, Heads of House and Sixth Form Peer Listeners are on hand to help. Elsewhere, the Pastoral and Safeguarding Deputy Heads, the Director of Wellbeing, the School Psychologist, the School Counsellor and the Chaplaincy team play important roles in pupil welfare, as do Prefects, House Nurses, the School Doctor and the Health Centre team. Designated Safeguarding Governors and staff are closely involved in making sure that our pupils are safe and happy.

‘Pupils’ cooperative approach to the new school values informs all aspects of school life to create an inclusive and harmonious community.’ THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE

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‘A positive place ... this is a happy school’ THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

Happiness and security matter. We want our pupils to be happy for their own sakes, but we also know that happy pupils have the energy and drive to work hard at their lessons and pursuits.

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Oxford Our location in Oxford is a fundamental feature of school life. The expanding Oxford Programme, an important part of our academic culture, draws on the rich pool of world-leading university academics to enhance our pupils’ education. Countless experts visit St Edward’s to give talks to our pupils and to pupils from other local schools and, in turn, pupils visit the University to immerse themselves in the intellectual life of the city. A new initiative is the appointment of St Edward’s Fellows, post-graduate students from the University who join our teaching staff on a part-time basis to work with our pupils for a sustained period, providing an exceptional and innovative learning opportunity for everyone involved. Beyond its intellectual might, Oxford is a beautiful, lively, easily-navigable city brimful of young people. Our pupils enjoy cafés, restaurants, cinemas and shops as well as the Ashmolean, the Playhouse, and many other museums, galleries and attractions.

‘Pupils really do benefit from their location in Oxford’s beating intellectual heart.’ TATLER SCHOOLS GUIDE

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Summer town Close to School is the lively urban village of Summertown, a two-minute walk away, with its compact collection of cafés, supermarkets, quirky independent shops and a popular artisan bakery. Pupils are able to go into Summertown at specific times during the week. They can frequently be found stocking up on snacks, playing their part in the café culture or simply enjoying the chance for a breath of fresh air, away from the confines of House and classrooms. ‘I really enjoy the space the School has. I love being able to play football on the fields in the evenings but also being able to walk to Tesco in three minutes.’ SHELL PUPIL

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Beyond Teddies Oxford as a city is important to St Edward’s, but so too are the people who make up our local community. Being at the heart of a city means that our pupils stay in touch with real life. They run activities for primary school children and support local charities such as the Oxfam Superstore and Oxford Gatehouse, a drop-in centre for vulnerable adults. They play music for the elderly in local care homes and take part in public events such as marshalling the Oxford Half Marathon or assisting with canalside and city clean-ups. A pioneering new initiative, Teddies Collaborates, provides dedicated space in the timetable for every Lower Sixth pupil to work once a week for a year in a community partnership with a local school, charity or organisation. Learning to work alongside people from a wide range of backgrounds and discovering the value of contributing to society are integral parts of a St Edward’s education.

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The Ar ts at St Edward’s

No other school in the country has an arts centre like The North Wall. Launched nearly two decades ago with the support of Richard Attenborough, George Fenton and Judi Dench, The North Wall boasts a national reputation for the quality and scope of its prolific public programme. Over 100 performances and exhibitions by talented writers, actors, dancers, directors and artists from across the UK and Europe attract 20,000 visitors a year. Daily access to a professional theatre and art gallery is illuminating and inspiring for our pupils, and a vital factor in the outstanding drama, art and dance at Teddies. Beyond the practical benefits, The North Wall provides a meaningful link with our local community which, as a city school, is a big part of our identity.

‘The North Wall is a crucial part of theatre’s wider ecology, providing a platform for cutting-edge theatre that inspires both audiences and emerging artists. Without it, Oxford wouldn’t just be the poorer, but so would the whole of British theatre.’ LYN GARDNER, JOURNALIST AND THEATRE CRITIC

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Music

The stunning Ogston Music School houses all the facilities any ambitious young musician could wish for.

The elegant wood-panelled Weston Recital Room at the heart of the building is surrounded by 20 practice rooms, seven ensemble rooms, dedicated music classrooms, the high-specification Fenton Recording Studio, a Rock Room and the Ferguson Music Library, an invaluable resource for those pursuing academic music qualifications. At Teddies, more than half of the School is engaged in music and over 600 individual lessons take place each week. Countless ensembles, including the Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Big Band, Modern Jazz Ensemble, several choirs and many chamber and smaller vocal groups perform a wide repertoire in School and at prestigious venues in Oxford and London.

‘Stunning facilities for Music and the Arts’ THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

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‘The outstanding facilities in the Ogston Music School allow our musicians to realise their potential in whatever field they choose.’ ALEX TESTER, ASSISTANT HEAD CO-CURRICULUM

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Drama The North Wall and the Drama Department combine to offer outstanding opportunities in Drama, either as part of formal studies, or as an extra-curricular pursuit. From Arthur Miller’s The Crucible to Kander and Ebb’s Chicago , varied and challenging school productions are complemented by an annual trip to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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Dance

Over 200 boys and girls are involved in the dazzling dance programme at St Edward’s – a quarter of the school community. As a result, the annual dance showcases and recitals are spectacular displays featuring everything from exquisite ballet sequences to hip-hop and acrobatic breakdance. Dance can be a lifelong passion, or simply a way to unwind at the end of a busy day. Many pupils take formal lessons in a wide range of styles; others join informal dance groups for fitness, relaxation – and fun. ‘A sense of team spirit is very evident, be it in dance or debating.’ THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE

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Ar t and Design Art and Design are taught exceptionally well at St Edward’s, with the Departments’ ethos and atmosphere more akin to that of an art and design college than a school. Many pupils go on to further study in both disciplines but, equally, the facilities are open to pupils who simply wish to explore and experiment.

‘One of the huge benefits of St Edward’s, for me, is the creative freedom. When you have an idea or a technique you want to explore, you rarely hear the word ‘no’.’ FORMER PUPIL

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Spor t For many at St Edward’s, sport is a powerful, sustaining passion. Striving to reach the Finals at Henley Royal Regatta, for instance, or to lead an unbeaten team out onto Upper 1, will take unstinting effort and commitment. Pupils are guided in these ambitions by a dedicated team of coaches, many of whom have performed or coached at an international level. For others, sport is just one part of their Teddies story – perhaps the way they relax after a concert, or a chance to switch off at the end of a busy day. The combination of our own extensive facilities, the provision at the Nuffield Health Fitness and Wellbeing Gym – on school grounds with dedicated areas and times for pupils’ use – and our nearby Boat House on a beautiful stretch of the River Thames means that all levels of involvement are catered for. New opportunities will be created as part of the major project to enhance the Field Side of the School, which is currently underway.

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The boys’ 1st VIII after their historic victory in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta

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Chapel Chapel is central to life at Teddies. It’s where we explore and nurture the values we hold as a community. It’s a place for everyone – somewhere to enjoy a moment of stillness and tranquillity in the midst of a busy school day. It offers a sense of togetherness and a chance to reflect. The Chaplain offers spiritual and pastoral care to all pupils and to the whole community. There are many ways to get involved – from singing and praying together to exploring faith through confirmation classes or ringing the bells. The Chaplain is always happy to discuss questions of faith or just help with a problem.

‘Everyone is welcome in Chapel. Services provide an opportunity to encounter God in reflective prayer and joyful worship and to explore the wisdom to be found in the Bible and to see how it may be relevant for our lives today. I hope that pupils and staff alike will feel at home in Chapel and find ways to get involved with our services and activities.’ REV’D LIZ BOUGHTON, CHAPLAIN

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Weekends and Activities

Our weekly boarding arrangements mean that pupils may choose to go home on Saturday afternoons after their commitments, but there is so much going on at weekends that typically just under half our boarders opt to stay in School. Weekends provide time for sports fixtures, time for rehearsals, time for a change of pace, and a chance to relax with friends and discover the benefits of being at school in a great university city. Weekend activities include ice-skating, trampolining, paintballing, cinema trips, quiz nights, inflatable obstacle courses, BBQs and much, much more. Alternatively, there’s time on Sunday afternoons for the whole family to enjoy the city of Oxford with its many eateries, outstanding architecture and beautiful walks. Beyond the weekend programme, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, the Combined Cadet Force and the Shell Enrichment programme offer endless opportunities to discover new interests and to feel a sense of accomplishment. A lively programme of trips sees the Shells exploring Oxford at the start of the year and trekking in the Mendip Hills at the end, with opportunities later in their school career for visits to Russia, France, Germany, Morocco, New York, Greece – and countless other destinations.

For further details of boarding, day and weekend arrangements, see page 53.

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The annual Battle of the Bands contest

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Former Pupils Former pupils of St Edward’s include Wind in the Willows author Kenneth Grahame, founding Director of the National Theatre Sir Laurence Olivier (after whom the new Olivier Hall is named), WWII heroes Douglas Bader and Guy Gibson, aviation pioneer and aircraft engineer Geoffrey de Havilland, journalist and television presenter Jon Snow, BAFTA-award-winning composer George Fenton (after whom the Fenton Recording Studio is named), numerous rock bands, and leading actors Pippa Bennett-Warner and Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke. Former pupils have gone on to represent their country in a wide range of sports, including cricket, rowing, hockey, rugby, touch rugby and rugby sevens.

Low Island, an upcoming electronic pop band, with three OSE members

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Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones

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The Steeplechase, the annual whole-school cross country run

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School Information

The St Edward’s Community ‘My parents gave me The Good Schools Guide and I chose Teddies; it has lived up to everything in the review but especially on the friendship and friendliness front.’ PUPIL QUOTED IN THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE St Edward’s pupils come from far and wide – here are a few statistics about the young people who make up our exceptionally close-knit community: • Over 280 different former schools are represented in the current pupil body • Pupils in the UK come from as far afield as Scotland, Cornwall, Wales and Sussex • 17% are from overseas – from over 40 countries • 23% are from Greater London

• 86% are boarders • 14% are day pupils

17%

Overseas

14%

Elsewhere in the UK

60%

86%

23%

Greater London

Percentage of day pupils to boarders

Where pupils come from

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Boarding and Day Arrangements

Teddies Coaches Teddies Coaches bring pupils back to School on Sunday evenings from Dulwich, Putney, South Kensington, Maidenhead and Beaconsfield, with the routes also operating in reverse at Leave Weekends and Exeats.

Founded in 1863, St Edward’s is a co-educational boarding and day school for children aged 13 – 18. Weekends Typically just under half our boarders choose to stay in School at weekends. Pupils enjoy the varied weekend programme, which features everything from headline comedy acts, rock groups and DJs – often major names on the circuit – to informal BBQs, cinema trips and House dinners. The opportunity to spend Sunday afternoons relaxing with friends in the cafés, shops and cinemas of Oxford is a further and considerable attraction. The full weekend schedule may be viewed on the website or requested from the Admissions Department. Weekly and Full Boarding Boarders who prefer to spend some time at the weekend at home have a choice. They may go home on Saturday afternoon after sport or other commitments; or, if they stay in School on Saturday night to enjoy the evening’s activities, they may go home or out with their parents at any point on Sunday. Whichever option they choose, they must be back in School by 9.00pm on Sunday. ‘An exuberance of riches is on offer in the form of clubs, societies and boarders’ weekend activities.’ THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

Leave Weekends and Exeats A formal Leave Weekend occurs in each

Half Term starting on Thursday after sport or lunchtime on Friday (depending on the term) and ending at 9.00pm on Sunday evening. Half Term weeks (Exeats) generally run from Friday at 1.00pm until 9.00pm the following Sunday. Exeat during the longer Autumn Term runs for a week and a half. Day Pupils Day pupils have their own space alongside boarders in Houses and are as much part of the school community as their boarding peers. ‘It’s fantastic. Teaching staff have no idea whether my son is a day boy or a boarder. I think it’s really wonderful — they are so well integrated that it makes no difference. This is unusual.’ PARENT Day pupils may leave School at 6.30pm during the week if they have no school commitments but many choose to stay on until 9.00pm for supervised prep, extra-curricular activities, to enjoy the evening talks programme or to spend leisure time with their friends. On Saturday afternoons, day pupils go home after sport or other commitments.

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Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards

Bursaries St Edward’s is committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible from all backgrounds are able to benefit from a Teddies education. Any pupil applying to St Edward’s in Years 9, 10 or 12 is eligible to apply for a means-tested Bursary (fee support). Applications should be made by 1st October in the year of application. Please contact the Admissions Department for further information. Scholarships and Awards St Edward’s offers Scholarships and Awards in a number of areas, with many allowing pupils to access enrichment and extension opportunities in their field of interest. Scholarships attract fee remission of 5%. Exhibitions (the second level of Scholarship) and Sports and Arts Awards attract fee remission of 2.5%. The following Scholarships and Awards are available at all points of entry: • Academic Scholarships • Music Scholarships • Sports Awards • Arts Awards At Shell Entry (13+), Arts Awards cover Art, Dance, Drama and Design Technology; at Sixth Form Entry (16+), they cover Art, Dance and Drama. Detailed information about each award, including the application process, closing dates, selection criteria and assessments, is available at stedwardsoxford.org under the Admissions tab. In order to ensure that all pupils, whatever their talents, are able to benefit fully from the academic opportunities at St Edward’s, the starting point for an application for a Scholarship or an Award will be an academic pre-test.

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Results and Destinations

Academic results at St Edward’s are on a sharp upward trend.

Academic Results 2023 At A Level, just under 50% of grades were A*/A and 82% were A*-B. In the IB Diploma, 83% of all Higher Level grades were Levels 7-5 and 16% of pupils achieved 38 points or more, the published threshold for the University of Oxford. At GCSE and in our own Pathways and Perspectives courses, some 40% were awarded at 9/8 and two-thirds were awarded at 9-7. University Destinations Popular UK university destinations in recent years have been Bristol, Edinburgh, Durham, Manchester, Newcastle, Exeter and London (King’s, UCL and Imperial). Pupils regularly take up places at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Overseas destinations in recent years have included the Ivy League universities of Harvard, Columbia and Brown; the University of California, Berkeley; Boston University; Georgetown University, Washington; the Rhode Island and Parsons Schools of Design; New York University; and universities in Canada, Hong Kong, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. ‘The pace of academic progress and innovation at St Edward’s is exhilarating and there is great momentum in all areas. The results and university destinations achieved by last year’s Sixth Formers are impressive, accelerating the upward trend of recent years, and I congratulate all involved for their hard work and resilience.’ ALASTAIR CHIRNSIDE, WARDEN

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Houses Pupils belong to one of 13 Houses, five for girls, four for boys and four co-educational Houses, Cooper Lodge, Sing’s, Field House and Apsley. Houses are either on Quad side, close to the Christie Centre, the Olivier Hall, classrooms, Chapel and The North Wall; or on Field Side, adjacent to sports pitches, tennis courts and the Nuffield Health Fitness and Wellbeing Gym. Houses are home to around 65 boarding and day pupils, where they are cared for by a Housemaster or Housemistress (HM), an Assistant HM, a Resident Tutor, a Matron and the House team supported by the Pastoral and Safeguarding Deputy Heads, the School Doctor, the Director of Wellbeing, the School Psychologist, the School Counsellor, the Chaplaincy Team, the Health Centre and a dedicated House Nurse. Safeguarding The safety and wellbeing of all pupils at St Edward’s are our highest priority. Each pupil is treated as an individual and the School aims to provide a secure and caring environment so that every pupil can learn and undertake educational activities safely and without fear of harm.

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School Fees

Fees are charged termly in advance and for 2023/24 are as follows: Boarding

£15,660

Day

£12,528

As far as possible, additional charges are kept to a minimum.

Further information about fees and charges is available at stedwardsoxford.org under the Admissions tab, or from the Bursar.

Please note that day fees include supper.

We operate a Fees in Advance scheme, details of which are also available from the Bursar at bursar@stedwardsoxford.org

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Admissions St Edward’s admits pupils at three entry points: approximately 150 into the Shell (Year 9), around 20 into the Fourth Form (Year 10) and some 65 into the Lower Sixth (Year 12). In selecting young people to join St Edward’s, we are looking for academic ability, of course, but also for ambition, energy and a sense of purpose. We want to be sure that pupils joining the School will enjoy their time with us because they feel at home at Teddies and because they derive satisfaction from, and take pride in, their contribution to the School. Some will contribute by leading the academic life of the School, others through their participation in sport and the arts, all through their willingness to involve themselves in the lives of their Houses and the wider school community. Entry to all year groups is via academic entry exams and all pupils must be registered to sit the admissions tests. For all year groups, the assessment is in two parts. Pupils whose test results and reference indicate that they are suited to our demanding academic curriculum and our rich co-curricular offering will be invited to the second stage for interview. If you are interested in Shell entry (Year 9) in 2024 or 2025 please contact the Admissions Department at registrar@stedwardsoxford.org. Shell Entry (Year 9) from September 2026 onwards You may visit the School at any time, but we suggest that the best time to do so is when your child is eight or nine years old. Following your visit, if you think St Edward’s might be the right school for your child, we ask you to register with us.

The timeline for Shell Entry (Year 9) is as follows:

October or November of Year 6 Children are asked to sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test.

January or February of Year 6 Interview and activity day for those progressing to the second stage of the admission process.

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March of Year 6 Subject to successful completion of the assessment process, unconditional places are offered in the first week of March and are secured by paying a deposit. November of Year 8 Children who have not taken the ISEB Common Pre-Test sit an online adaptive test at the beginning of November in the year prior to entry, after which those progressing to the second stage sit papers in English and Maths, and attend an interview in mid-November. Places are offered in early December and are secured by paying a deposit. Fourth Form Entry (Year 10) Candidates sit an online adaptive test at the beginning of November in the year prior to entry, after which those progressing to the second stage sit papers in English and Mathematics, and attend an interview in late November. Sixth Form Entry (Year 12) Pupils must be registered and have completed the Sixth Form Application Form to sit exams. Candidates sit an online adaptive test in late October in the year prior to entry, after which those progressing to the second stage sit three subject papers and attend an interview in early November. Sixth Form candidates are expected to achieve at least a 7 or above in their GCSEs or equivalent assessments in subjects they hope to study at A Level or at Higher Level in the IB (Grade 8 for Maths or the Sciences). Places are offered in the first week of December and are secured by paying a deposit. Public Transpor t In addition to the expanding Teddies Coach service (see page 53), St Edward’s benefits from excellent transport links to London and beyond. Heathrow and Birmingham Airports are within an hour, and central London an hour and a quarter. Oxford Central and Oxford Parkway train stations serve London Paddington and London Marylebone approximately every 30 minutes and connect with all national routes. The Oxford Tube bus route runs efficient and comfortable services to London and surrounding areas. Places are offered in early December and are secured by paying a deposit.

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Find out more Teddies TV Tune in to Teddies TV via the website to gain more insight into life at St Edward’s. Videos cover a range of school activities – the academic programme, our Edinburgh Festival productions and many other sporting and cultural occasions.

Online

Visit the website for more detailed information about Academic Departments, Houses, teaching staff, Governors and all the latest news. www.stedwardsoxford.org

Keep up to date:

Follow us on Instagram @stedwardsoxford

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Sept 23

St Edward’s School Woodstock Rd, Oxford, OX2 7NN +44 (0) 1865 319200 registrar@stedwardsoxford.org www.stedwardsoxford.org

Registered charity number 309681

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