Oxford High School in the Tatler Schools Guide 2012

‘a remarkably unpressurised environment in which to excel’

New Head Judith Carlisle has certainly landed on her feet at first-class Oxford High. No major changes are planned and she tells us that she’s spent most of her time so far ‘listening a great deal’ and deciding how to move forward with what is already a successful, steady ship. Her enthusiasm has clearly made a good impression on pupils, who love her assemblies: one recent favourite was intriguingly based on an itchy coat, another on Twenties maths problems. The school is known for its high academic standards and top results (a whopping 38 per cent of girls received Oxbridge offers this year), so pupils need to be switched-on – but this is a remarkably unpressurised environment in which to excel. The £9 million building programme has finished: new facilities include a fantastic drama studio, library, modern languages suite and dining hall, with cheery, bright decor and seating (we’re told the food is much improved too, with macaroni cheese high in the popularity stakes). This year, Mandarin and philosophy join the already vast list of A-levels on offer. Bright sparks flourish, with most staying on from prep right through to sixth form. Quite frankly, with this level of education, why would they want to go anywhere else?

Tatler Schools Guide 2012
The Top Prep & Public Schools in the UK