Abingdon School

A leading independent day and boarding school for children aged 11-18.  In May 2024, Abingdon announced its decision to move to co-education.  Girls will be welcomed to First Year (Year 7) and Sixth Form from September 2026 and to Third Year (Year 9) from September 2028.

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    Abingdon School

    At Abingdon, we embrace change and innovation whilst respecting traditional values, and we encourage our students to think for themselves, pursue their aspirations, have confidence in their abilities and develop a spirit of independence.

    Our forward thinking approach is reflected in our academic curriculum where there is breadth of choice and depth of study. Whilst academic standards are high, our commitment to students’ wider personal development and wellbeing remains central to our approach. This is delivered through our formidable Other Half cocurricular provision and underpinned by our House system and strong Pastoral care – both of which ensure each individual is known and cared for.

    The best way to see how simply extraordinary education is at Abingdon is to come and visit.

    Category: Senior, Sixth Form

    Pupils: Boys

    Type: Boarding and Day

    Religious Affiliation: Christian, Non-Denominational

    Roll: 1050 Boys / 0 Girls

    Day pupils: 900

    Boarder Number: 150

    Age Range: 11-18 Years

    Founded: 1256

    Location Description

    Abingdon School is situated in 35 acres of beautiful grounds in the centre of the historic market town of Abingdon, 6 miles south of the University City of Oxford.  It is also conveniently located for access London and Heathrow and Gatwick international airports.

    School Contact Details

    Headteacher: Michael Windsor

    Contact for enquiries:Julia Cooke

    Park Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 1DE

    Tel: 01235 521563

    Email: admissions@abingdon.org.uk

    abingdon.org.uk

    Facilities

    We are fortunate to have extensive facilities at Abingdon.  These include a 446 seat theatre; a science centre housing 21 teaching laboratories, study areas, project rooms and preparatory rooms; a dedicated sixth form centre; library; arts centre; Sports Centre and swimming pool; Humanities centre; and dedicated Product Design and Engineering workshop.  In addition to our main 35 acre site, we have further facilities at Tilsley Park multi purpose sports grounds; our boat club; and Cox’s fields which is situated at our Prep School.

    In 2023, Abingdon completed the most significant renovation of its boarding accommodation in its history.  The aim was to significantly enhance the boarding experience for boarders so they felt comfortably ‘at home’ at school, whilst having purpose-built facilities which would support their academic work, hone their extracurricular pursuits and put them at the heart of the school’s extended community.  In fruition, the ‘university’ style accommodation has communal House rooms with kitchen facilities; break-out areas with large sofas and bean bags; games including table tennis, table football and pool – all deliberately arranged to support friendships between Abingdon’s boarding and day communities, facilitate down-time and social events.  There are dedicated ‘quiet’ study areas so that boarders have somewhere (other than bedrooms) to concentrate on their academic work as well as music practice rooms.  Boarders additionally have use of their own kitchenettes and contemporary shower rooms.  All bedrooms are larger and have washbasins.  Each has a capacity of between 2 and 3 students (with single rooms for sixth formers).  

    Scholarships

    There are a number of Scholarships and Awards available to those who meet the academic entry criteria.

    At 11+, there are a number of academic and music awards available, which are held for the duration of Lower School.

    At 13+, academic and music scholarships are offered, with assessments taking place in the spring of Year 8. Students must first have a confirmed offer of a place at the school. Art, product design & engineering, drama and sport scholarships are also offered, but not until after joining Abingdon School, at the end of the Third Year.

    At 16+, academic, music, sport, art, product design & engineering and drama scholarships are offered.

    Free and subsidised places may be available through means-tested bursaries.

    We have an extensive partnership programme both through our Abingdon School in Partnership and as one of the founding members of the OX14 Learning Partnership.

    Entrance Requirements

    11+:  School’s own exam, reference from current school and interview.

    13+:  From prep schools (other than Abingdon Prep) – School’s own exam, reference from current school and interview (in Year 7). Offers are given to boys in Year 7 for places for the Third Year (Year 9). Offers are subject to pupils maintaining the level of academic progress and cocurricular profile, in Years 7 and 8 at their prep or current schools, that is deemed appropriate for Abingdon School. Offers are not conditional on passing Common Entrance or other similar exams.

    Transfer Process from Abingdon Prep School – Pupils, for whom Abingdon School is an appropriate next step, receive an offer of a place for Year 9 at Abingdon School at the end of Year 5. The offer is based on the continuous assessment of each Abingdon Prep pupil during the years up to and including Year 5. There is no separate entrance examination – which is a requirement for children from other prep schools. The offer is subject to a pupil maintaining their profile of achievement in Years 6 to 8 at Abingdon Prep.

    Sixth Form: School’s own exam, reference from current school and interview. Grade 7 required at GCSE for the subjects chosen to study (grade 8 if Further Maths is an A level choice). An average of 6 is needed across all GCSE grades.

    Fees

    2024/2025

    Day fee:  £8,140 per term (£24,420 per annum)*

    Weekly boarding fee:  £13,550 per term (£40,650 per annum)*

    Full boarding fee:  £16,600 per term (£49,800 per annum)*

    *excluding any applicable VAT

    Affiliations/Memberships

    BSA, HMC, ISI, IAPS

    Downloadable Resources

    OPEN DAYS

    All visits are welcome, please contact the school

    Each autumn, we hold a whole school open morning.  This gives prospective families the opportunity to come and experience Abingdon for themselves.

    Throughout the course of the year, prospective parents are also welcome to book one of our Discover Abingdon or Inside Abingdon events.  These provide the opportunity to have a tour of the school on a normal working day, hear from our Head and other key members of staff.

    Private tours may also be available upon request.

    For details or to book, please view visit Abingdon,  tel +44 (0)1235 849041 or email admissions@abingdon.org.uk 

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