The Best Independent Schools in Oxfordshire Open Days

If you’re researching Oxfordshire independent schools as a prospective parent, then Open Day events are a great way to get a much better insight than just reading the prospectus.  It’s an ideal chance to see the Oxfordshire private school facilities, meet the staff and get a feel for the school culture and outlook.

Private school Open Days are arranged at many of the best independent schools in Oxfordshire, usually several times a year from Banbury to Oxford and Abingdon to Henley you’ll find them all here.   If you’re at the start of your search, find a full list of all the private schools in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire and Surrey including early years, Prep, senior school and sixth form.

If you’d like to see your school featured, please contact us on hello@redkitedays.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT SCHOOL – CHANDLINGS

As a leading Independent day school, Chandlings educate boys and girls aged 2-11 within 60 acres of beautiful grounds; located in idyllic Oxfordshire countryside, yet just five miles from Oxford itself. Alongside such an enviable location, they offer exceptional academic achievement, genuine pastoral care and empathy, and superb facilities.

• Early Years Open Morning – Wednesday 11 December 2024

Personal tours of the school can be booked via the admissions department

Abingdon Prep

• Open Morning – Friday 8 November 2024
• Discover Session – Friday 15 November 2024
• Discover Session – Friday 14 February 2025

Abingdon School

• Inside Abingdon for Sixth Form Entry – Friday 15 November 2024
• Discover Abingdon – Wednesday 20 November 2024 (for parents)
• Discover Abingdon – Wednesday 27 November 2024 (for parents)

Ashfold School

Ashfold is an outstanding prep school for boys and girls from 3-13 years of age. Set in 30 acres of stunning grounds in the Buckinghamshire countryside, with superb facilities the school is easily accessible from Oxford, Bicester, Winslow, Aylesbury and Thame.

• Come & Play Session – Wednesday 13 November 2024

Bloxham School

• Open Morning – Saturday 8 March 2025
• Open Morning – Saturday 10 May 2025

Carrdus School

• Open Morning – tbc
• Personal tours by appointment

Chandlings Prep School

Chandlings is a leading co-educational prep school for children aged  2-11 set within 60 acres of beautiful grounds yet just five miles from Oxford itself. Alongside such an enviable location, the school are proud of the exceptional academic achievement, genuine pastoral care and superb facilities.  Teachers are passionate about education and  children are curious, creative and independent.

• Early Years Open Morning – Wednesday 11 December 2024

Register for Open Events  or email admissions registrar, Mrs Catriona Pitt on cpitt@chandlingspst.org and she will be happy to arrange a convenient time.

Christ Church Cathedral School

Founded by Henry VIII, Christ Church Cathedral School (CCCS)  is an Independent Prep School set in the heart of Oxford. It has a thriving Co-ed Pre-Prep and Nursery and Prep school for boys aged 8 – 13. It offers boarding for Cathedral Choristers and Flexi-Boarding for day boys aged 8 – 13.

Cokethorpe School

An independent day school providing a liberal education to boys and girls from four to eighteen, Cokethorpe occupies 150 acres of glorious West Oxfordshire parkland, just ten miles from metropolitan Oxford, nestled on the edge of the Cotswolds’ renowned serenity.

There is a great sense of community within the School, established by the close-knit House system, where young people develop a sense of belonging. This is further forged around the close working relationship of small classrooms, where teachers engage the intellect, encourage deeper thinking, and teach lifelong respect and humility.

• Whole School Open Morning – Saturday 1 March 2025

Cothill

Cothill, set in wonderful grounds just a short drive from central Oxford, is globally recognised as one of the UK’s leading Day & Boarding Co-Ed Prep schools, for children aged 7 – 13, set in wonderful grounds just a short drive from central Oxford.  Pupils enjoy inspirational teaching and an amazing range of opportunities outside of the classroom – not to mention proven preparation for entry to the country’s top schools.

You are welcome to come for a private visit and/or to join us at one of the open events.

• Taster Morning – Saturday 23 November 2024
• Cothill Lego Festival – Saturday 7 December 2024

Cranford House

Cranford is of the UK’s leading independent small schools. We are a warmly welcoming, small co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2-18. Our Nursery, Junior, Senior and Sixth Form Departments work in tandem to provide the best possible learning outcomes for each stage of our pupils’ education and a seamless progression throughout their time at school.

Renowned for a strong focus on pastoral care and the positive, supportive relationships between pupils and staff. Cranford House are fully committed to ensuring the happy, friendly school is a place that pupils look forward to coming to each day.

Register for an upcoming open event

• Junior School Day of Discovery – Saturday 9 November 2024
• Whole School Open Week – 25 to 29 November 2024

Dragon School

The Dragon has a unique DNA which creates an environment that gives children full scope for all of the imagination and originality that is in them. Physical, intellectual and philosophical risk-taking takes place and “colouring outside the lines” at times positively encouraged.

• • Discover the Dragon  – Wednesday 13 November 2024 (held at Soho House, London)
  • Pre-Prep Open Day – Friday 31st January 2025
  • Prep Open Day – Saturday 1st March 2025

All of the administrative departments are open and are very happy to engage with parents and prospective parents, albeit remotely. Dr Kate Heath, and her Admissions team, continue to be contactable to answer any questions you may have, and warmly welcome you to get in touch. It is also possible for parents to set up a ‘virtual meeting’ to learn more about the School, and all that is on  offer. Key contact information can be found on the Contact  page on the Dragon School website.

d’Overbroeck’s

Ask any of the d’Overbroeck’s students and parents and they will probably tell you that what makes d’Overbroeck’s so special is its environment. They will talk of it having a “friendly, encouraging, unstuffy, family atmosphere” where they are ambitious and celebrate success but want the journey to be as interesting as the destination. They focus on the things that matter and there is a real sense of mutual respect between staff and students- to a degree you won’t find in many other schools.

The best way to experience this is to go and see them. You are welcome at any time – just contact them to arrange a visit – but their Open Days provide an excellent opportunity to meet a lot of people quickly! These events are relatively informal with the focus being on you having the time to talk to students, meet staff and look around at a pace that suits you.

Register for an open event in advance.

• Meet The Head (Senior School – Wednesday 20 November 2024
• Senior School & Sixth Form Open Day – Saturday 8 February 2025

Emmanuel Christian School

Emmanuel Christian School holds regular Open Days and events so that families can discover what ‘life and learning to the full’ really looks like.  Every day at Emmanuel can be an Open Day; an appointment for an individual tour with the Principal can be booked through the school office.

• February 2025

Emmanuel Christian School is a private co-educational school for children aged 3 – 11 based in the south east of Oxford in Littlemore. The school has the appearance of a traditional village school but is home to a vibrant community from across Oxford and beyond.  Many families from overseas discover in Emmanuel a welcoming home for their children where diversity is valued and individuality is respected.

Headington Rye Oxford

Headington Rye Oxford is a curious, confident, ambitious school for boys and girls aged 3-11 and girls aged 11-18, with full, weekly and half-weekly boarding available from age 11.  Headington Rye Oxford has an unparalleled commitment to and investment in pastoral care, with each child treated as an individual and provided the support they need to succeed in every aspect of their lives.

• Prep School Open Morning – Wednesday 27 November 2024
• Early Years (Nursery & Reception) Open Morning – Wedneday 27 November 2024
• Senior School Open Morning – Friday 27 June 2025

Kingham Hill School

• Open Morning – Friday 14 March 2025

Kings Oxford

• Individual tours by appointment

Kings School, Witney

• Open Morning – tbc

The King’s School Witney is an independent, Christian, non selective, school for girls and boys from early years through to their senior school.  The school’s founding principles are to be thoroughly Christian in curriculum, character and community.

Magdalen College School

• Junior School Open Morning – Thursday 7 November 2024

 The Manor Preparatory School

Situated in Abingdon, the Manor Prep School is an independent co-educational preparatory day school for children aged 2-11.

The Manor has a wonderfully happy, creative atmosphere where each individual is challenged and cherished to reach their potential. Every child is encouraged to push themselves to new challenges, resulting in outstanding results academically, on the sports field, and in creative and performing arts.

• Whole School Open Morning – Friday 15 November 2024

For further information:
www.manorprep.org 01235 858462 admissions@manorprep.org.

Moulsford Prep School

• Pre-Prep Stay & Play – Saturday 23 November 2024
• Whole School Open Day – Friday 7 February 2025

Moulsford is a thriving, independent day and boarding school of 380 pupils age 3-13. Based near Wallingford in South Oxfordshire and set in tranquil and picturesque grounds on the banks of the River Thames, the School is just 1 hour from central London.

Moulsford’s down-to-earth, family-focussed approach embraces the fact that children of this age should be having fun at the same time as learning.

New College School, Oxford

• Open Morning – Friday 16 May 2025

Oratory Prep School

The Oratory Prep School provides an enriched education to boys and girls aged 2 to 13. Set within 65 acres of beautiful and expansive Oxfordshire countryside, with outstanding facilities, the OPS has consistently nurtured happy and inquisitive children.

There are various ways that you can visit the school. Full Open Mornings are held in the Michaelmas (Autumn) and Lent (Spring) terms. An Open Morning  is the perfect opportunity to get a feel for what The Oratory Prep School has to offer your child and to you as a family.

• Reception Open Morning – Friday 29 November 2024
• Open Morning – Friday 7 March 2025

The ethos of well-rounded, broad-minded and inclusive learning lies at the core of the school, and it can be felt within every classroom, playground and beyond from nursery to Year 8.   The Oratory Prep School is a thriving and happy school, offering an individual learning experience which nourishes each child’s resilience, determination and self-confidence from the moment they join the school.

The Oratory

The Oratory is a unique Boarding and Day Catholic School for Boys and Girls aged 11 to 18, just outside Reading.  A genuinely an all-round school that believes in nurturing pupils to achieve their very best in whatever it is they set out to do.

• Senior Experience Day – Thursday 14 November 2024
• Open Morning – Saturday 1 March 2025

Register in advance

A genuinely all-round school, we believe in nurturing pupils to achieve their very best in whatever it is they set out to do.  We are really proud of our broad and rich curriculum and strong exam results; however, an Oratory education is about developing young people in a much deeper sense than exam results alone can demonstrate.

Our Lady’s Abingdon

If you are considering independent education for your child, OLA offers a highly successful fun and innovative learning experience in a happy and friendly community for pupils aged 7 to 18.

Pre-event registration is required for all events.

• Whole School Open Morning – Wednesday 20 November 2024
• Whole School Open Morning – Wednesday 12 March 2025
• Whole School Open Morning – Saturday 20 September 2025

Oxford High School

• Senior School Event – Wednesday 6 November 2024
• Senior School Event – Wednesday 29 January 2025
• Prep and Pre-Prep Open Morning – Wednesday 13 March 2025
• Senior School Event – Wednesday 30 April 2025

Oxford Montessori Schools

• Tours by appointment

Pangbourne College

Pangbourne College is a small, independent boarding and day school with a unique history and a bright future. It’s a community where you can flourish; the small size allows the school to get to know each student individually, ensuring that they are nurtured as they grow academically and socially.

The only way to experience the authentic Pangbourne is to visit and enjoy a tour of the College and speak to pupils and staff here. They will give you real insight into what Pangbourne is today. Join an Open Morning, held in Autumn and Spring, or one of the popular Head’s Breakfasts.

• Open Morning – Spring 2025

Rupert House

• Open Morning – tbc

Shiplake College

Shiplake College is a thriving co-educational boarding and day school for pupils in Years 7-13 near Henley-on-Thames.

Having a look around and meeting our welcoming staff is the best way to find out whether Shiplake is the perfect school for you. Open events include a tour of the  College, presentations and an opportunity to speak with staff. We always look forward to welcoming new families to the College, and hope visitors find the events interesting, informative and enjoyable.

• Whole School Open Event – Saturday 22 March 2025

Sibford School

• Sixth Form Open Evening – Tuesday 12 November 2024
• Junior School Open Morning – Friday 22 November 2024
• Whole School Open Morning – Saturday 22 March 2025

St Andrew’s Berkshire

St Andrew’s is a warm and welcoming school with a strong family atmosphere that nurtures happy, grounded and kind children, who are stretched, but not stressed, by the all-round education. Small class sizes and passionate staff provide personalised learning and outstanding pupil wellbeing. Children feel heard, valued and confident in their own skin.

• Open Day – Friday 28 February 2025

St Clare’s Oxford

We have been successfully teaching the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) for over 40 years. Our online open event is a great opportunity to find out more about our IB Diploma, Middle School Programme and Pre-IB course.

Register Here

• IB World School Virtual Open Day – Saturday 23 November 2024

St Clare’s Oxford are the longest established IB World School in England and ranked 12th in the UK for results by The Times. Situated in the beautiful and historic city of Oxford and only an hour’s train ride from London, St Clare’s Oxford offers the International Baccalaureate, Pre-IB, Middle School Programme as well as an International College, English Language courses and popular summer courses.

St Edward’s Oxford

• Most Saturdays term time

St Helen & St Katharine

• Introduction to Sixth Form – Thursday 24 April 2025
• Lower School Open Event – Tuesday 6 May 2025
• Middle School Event – Friday 6 June 2025
• Junior Department Open Doors – Tuesday 10 June 2025

St Hugh’s (Faringdon)

• Individual visits by appointment

St John’s Priory School

• Nursery Come & Play – tbc

St Mary’s Preparatory School (Henley on Thames)

St Mary’s Preparatory School is a co-ed independent prep school set in the heart of Henley.  This school is a very popular choice amongst local families looking to give their children the very best start to their early education.

The best way to experience the unique atmosphere at St Mary’s Preparatory School in Henley is to visit. Just as they tailor  teaching to suit each child, they do the same for visiting parents and children. You can book a personal tour any day of the week, giving you a chance to experience a normal school day.

Summer Fields

Founded in 1864, Summer Fields is a leading day and boarding Pre-Prep and Preparatory school for around 300 boys aged 4 to 13. Hidden away in the heart of Summertown, we offer an outstanding education and pastoral care with first-rate facilities set in over 70 acres of delightful grounds that extend from Summertown to the Cherwell River.

• Pre-prep Thursday 28 November 2024