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School profile Verified 17 July 2026

Oxfordshire Private schools

Abingdon School

Park Road, Abingdon, OX14 1DE

Abingdon School is a private secondary-stage school in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, with a published age range of 4-19.

Private school Co-ed Ages 4-19 Sixth form Boarding school Individual
Application ?
Apply direct to school
Age range
4-19
ISI ?
Standards met
Boarding ?
Boarding school
Compare Official website Map

On this page

At a glance

Key facts

Sector
Private school
Gender
Mixed
Application ?
Individual
Age range
4-19
Boarding ?
Boarding school
Route check
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
ISI ?
Standards met

Overview

Abingdon School brings a long history into a deliberate period of change. Its story reaches back to at least 1256, while the present Park Road site dates from 1870 and joins historic buildings to modern teaching, arts and sports spaces. Girls enter Year 7 and Year 12 from September 2026, Year 9 from 2028, with full co-education planned for 2030.

Pupils move through Year 9 before most take ten GCSEs, then choose from 25 A-level subjects in the Sixth Form. The Other Half brings sport, music, drama, clubs, service, outdoor activity and competitions alongside publications, the EPQ and a house-based pastoral structure. It is a substantial senior programme with a named place for activity beyond lessons.

The co-education timetable is inseparable from the admissions picture. An applicant needs to establish whether the intended year group joins during the staged transition, then consider day or boarding life and the assessment route for Year 7, Year 9 or Sixth Form. The result is a historic school culture whose pupil intake is changing on a fixed timetable.

11 Plus Writing Coach preview showing creative writing feedback cards and score summaries
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Key points
Assessment route
Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
Places and demand
Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
Catchment
Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
Results
0% grade 5+ in English and maths and 16.4 Attainment 8
Sixth form
Sixth form available with 58.9% AAB or better.

GCSE benchmark

Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Oxfordshire and England.

School Local authority England
GCSE benchmark comparison Latest GCSE benchmark measures for Abingdon School, Oxfordshire, and England. 0 50 100 Att. 8 5+ E&M EBacc APS EBacc %
Attainment 8
16.4
Grade 5+ English and maths
0%
EBacc APS
0.64
EBacc entry
0%

Attainment 8 trend

Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Oxfordshire and England.

School Local authority England
Attainment 8 trend line Attainment 8 over time for Abingdon School, Oxfordshire, and England. 60 40 20 0 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25

School details
Sector
Private school
School type
Other independent school
Funding
Independent fee-paying
Application
Apply direct to school
Gender
Mixed
Age range
4-19
Headteacher
Mr Michael Windsor
Pupil roll
1,270 pupils
Sixth form
Yes
Boarding
Boarding school

Location and contact

Address

Address
Park Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Postcode
OX14 1DE
Area
Oxfordshire

School leadership

Headteacher
Mr Michael Windsor

School contact

School phone
01235521563

Admissions contact

Admissions team
Admissions
Admissions email
admissions@abingdon.org.uk
Admissions phone
+44 (0)1235 849041
Open in Map Open school website

Admissions
Application route
Apply direct to school
Age range
4-19
Gender
Mixed
Boarding
Boarding school
Day fees
Day tuition including lunch and applicable VAT, 2026/27.
Boarding fees
Weekly and full boarding fees including applicable VAT, 2026/27.
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and bursaries
Entrance details
Assessment is route-specific. For 11+ and 13+, English, Mathematics and verbal/non-verbal reasoning are followed by selected interviews and a reference review. Sixth Form entry uses a source-analysis written paper, Mathematics, verbal/non-verbal reasoning, an interview and a confidential reference, with an additional grammar test for non-native English speakers.
Admissions note
Applications are made directly for the main entry points at Year 7, Year 9 and Sixth Form. Entry is academically selective. Sixth Form applicants are normally expected to be on track for an average GCSE grade of at least 6, with at least grade 7 in intended A level subjects and grade 8 in Mathematics for Further Mathematics. Late applications may be considered when places remain available.

Applications are made directly for the main entry points at Year 7, Year 9 and Sixth Form. Entry is academically selective. Sixth Form applicants are normally expected to be on track for an average GCSE grade of at least 6, with at least grade 7 in intended A level subjects and grade 8 in Mathematics for Further Mathematics. Late applications may be considered when places remain available.

Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.

Oversubscription and eligibility

  1. 1

    Academic suitability

    Entry is academically selective and considers performance in the relevant school assessments.

  2. 2

    Interview and current school reference

    Interview evidence and a confidential current-school reference form part of the entry decision.

  3. 3

    Wider profile and contribution

    Interests, aspirations and potential to contribute positively to the community are considered alongside the academic profile.

Information booklet

Abingdon School Prospectus 2025

Exam and test format

Entrance route and assessment

Assessment is route-specific. For 11+ and 13+, English, Mathematics and verbal/non-verbal reasoning are followed by selected interviews and a reference review. Sixth Form entry uses a source-analysis written paper, Mathematics, verbal/non-verbal reasoning, an interview and a confidential reference, with an additional grammar test for non-native English speakers.

Assessment route
Individual
Papers and stages
4 stages
Format
Mixed format

Papers and rounds

  1. Round 1

    English, Maths, Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning, Writing task

    11+ and 13+ entrance assessments

    English reading is computer-based multiple choice, descriptive writing is handwritten, most Mathematics questions are computer-based multiple choice, and reasoning includes verbal and non-verbal questions.

  2. Round 2

    Interview

    11+ and 13+ interview and reference review

    Assessment results and a confidential Headteacher reference are reviewed before interview invitations; interviews explore interests and enjoyment of learning.

  3. Round 3

    Other, Maths, Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning, English

    Sixth Form written, Maths and reasoning assessments

    All candidates take a source-analysis written paper, Mathematics and verbal/non-verbal reasoning; prospective Further Mathematics students take an advanced Maths paper, and non-native English speakers also take a short grammar test.

  4. Round 4

    Interview

    Sixth Form interview and reference review

    Most candidates are invited for interview, and the decision also considers a confidential Headteacher reference covering character, academic strengths and interests.

Published assessment components

English, Maths, Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning, Writing task and Interview are listed across the school's published assessment routes.

Published

  • English

  • Maths

  • Verbal reasoning

    English reading is computer-based multiple choice, descriptive writing is handwritten, most Mathematics questions are computer-based multiple choice, and reasoning includes verbal and non-verbal questions.

  • Non-verbal reasoning

    English reading is computer-based multiple choice, descriptive writing is handwritten, most Mathematics questions are computer-based multiple choice, and reasoning includes verbal and non-verbal questions.

  • Writing task

    English reading is computer-based multiple choice, descriptive writing is handwritten, most Mathematics questions are computer-based multiple choice, and reasoning includes verbal and non-verbal questions.

  • Interview

    Assessment results and a confidential Headteacher reference are reviewed before interview invitations; interviews explore interests and enjoyment of learning.

Application

Key dates

Get date reminders

  1. 11+ registration closes

    30 October 2026

    For Year 7 entry in September 2027.

  2. 11+ free or subsidised place application

    9 November 2026

    Application deadline for fee assistance linked to Year 7 entry in September 2027.

  3. 11+ entrance assessment

    9 January 2027

    For Year 7 entry in September 2027.

  4. 11+ interviews

    Week commencing 25 January 2027

    For Year 7 entry in September 2027.

  5. 11+ results letters

    Early February 2027

    For Year 7 entry in September 2027.

  6. 11+ acceptance deadline

    1 March 2027

    For Year 7 entry in September 2027.

  7. Sixth Form free or subsidised place application

    28 September 2026

    Application deadline for fee assistance linked to Sixth Form entry in September 2027.

  8. Sixth Form registration closes

    30 October 2026

    For Sixth Form entry in September 2027.

  9. Sixth Form assessments

    7 November 2026

    For Sixth Form entry in September 2027.

  10. Sixth Form interviews

    Week commencing 16 November 2026

    For Sixth Form entry in September 2027.

  11. Sixth Form results letters

    Early December 2026

    For Sixth Form entry in September 2027.

  12. Sixth Form acceptance deadline

    Mid December 2026

    For Sixth Form entry in September 2027; no exact day is published.

  13. 13+ registration closes

    30 October 2026

    For Year 9 entry in September 2029.

  14. 13+ free or subsidised place application

    9 November 2026

    Application deadline for fee assistance linked to Year 9 entry in September 2029.

  15. 13+ entrance assessment

    9 January 2027

    For Year 9 entry in September 2029.

  16. 13+ interviews

    Week commencing 25 January 2027

    For Year 9 entry in September 2029.

  17. 13+ results letters

    Early February 2027

    For Year 9 entry in September 2029.

  18. 13+ acceptance deadline

    1 March 2027

    For Year 9 entry in September 2029.

How to apply

  1. 1

    Register directly with the school

    Complete the online registration form for the relevant entry year and pay the applicable registration fee.

    Register for entry
  2. 2

    Complete the entry assessments

    Candidates complete the assessments published for their entry point; arrangements differ for 11+/13+ and Sixth Form.

    Check the entry process
  3. 3

    Attend the interview and provide a reference

    The decision also uses an interview and a confidential reference from the candidate's current school or Headteacher.

    Review assessment details
  4. 4

    Respond to the admissions outcome

    Families receive an offer, waiting-list outcome or notification that the application will not proceed, followed by the published acceptance deadline where applicable.

    Check current entry dates

Official admissions documents

Information booklet

Abingdon School Prospectus 2025

Results

Attainment snapshot

Attainment 8 ?
16.4 Attainment 8
GCSE results
0% grade 4+ in English and maths
Grade 5+ English and maths ?
0% grade 5+ in English and maths
EBacc average point score ?
0.64 EBacc APS
A-level results
58.9% AAB or better
A-level average points
49.02 A-level points per entry

Inspection
View report
Standards met

Latest inspection: 28 April 2026

Leadership, management and governance
Standards met
Quality of education, training and recreation
Standards met
Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
Standards met
Social and economic education and contribution to society
Standards met
Safeguarding
Standards met

Quick summary

  • Latest ISI report: Abingdon School received a routine inspection in 2026. The report can be read here records an inspection beginning 28 April 2026. The report says the relevant standards were met.

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Shortlist comparisons

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Explore this school in context

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Related pages and guides

Guides and related reading

Related guides are still being added.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How does Abingdon School handle admissions?

Abingdon School handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.

How do I apply to Abingdon School?

1. Register directly with the school: Complete the online registration form for the relevant entry year and pay the applicable registration fee. 2. Complete the entry assessments: Candidates complete the assessments published for their entry point; arrangements differ for 11+/13+ and Sixth Form. 3. Attend the interview and provide a reference: The decision also uses an interview and a confidential reference from the candidate's current school or Headteacher. 4. Respond to the admissions outcome: Families receive an offer, waiting-list outcome or notification that the application will not proceed, followed by the published acceptance deadline where applicable.

When are the key dates for Abingdon School?

11+ registration closes: 30 October 2026. 11+ free or subsidised place application: 9 November 2026. 11+ entrance assessment: 9 January 2027. 11+ interviews: Week commencing 25 January 2027. 11+ results letters: Early February 2027. 11+ acceptance deadline: 1 March 2027. Sixth Form free or subsidised place application: 28 September 2026. Sixth Form registration closes: 30 October 2026. Sixth Form assessments: 7 November 2026. Sixth Form interviews: Week commencing 16 November 2026. Sixth Form results letters: Early December 2026. Sixth Form acceptance deadline: Mid December 2026. 13+ registration closes: 30 October 2026. 13+ free or subsidised place application: 9 November 2026. 13+ entrance assessment: 9 January 2027. 13+ interviews: Week commencing 25 January 2027. 13+ results letters: Early February 2027. 13+ acceptance deadline: 1 March 2027

What does the latest inspection picture look like for Abingdon School?

Abingdon School is currently rated Standards met following the latest published inspection dated 28 April 2026.