Founded in 1956 as Joscas and merged with Abingdon School in 1998 and became Abingdon Prep. It is set amongst 40 acres of grounds just south of Oxford and 10 minutes from the senior school in Abingdon. It has excellent facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, sports hall, art and music rooms, science lab and ICT and CDT suites. The school sees education in two halves and is successful in both. Firstly the academic: the development of literacy and numeracy skills, strategies for clear thinking, knowledge and understanding of the wider world and the ability to utilise developing technologies. Secondly the education that comes from outside the classroom (called The Other Half): individual sports and team games, art, design, music and drama together with a good programme of clubs and activities.
Pupils: Age range 4–13, 250 day boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 4, 7. Selective entry; academic assessment for entry age 7 upwards plus induction day age 8 upwards. 2 classes (16-18 pupils in each) per year group. No special skills or religious persuasion.
No scholarships. Variable number of means-tested bursaries available. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.
15+% are doctors, lawyers etc; 15+% in industry/commerce.
Headmaster: Chris Davies, in post since 1999. Educated at Highgate and at Nottingham University (history and ancient history) and Institute of Education. Previously taught history at Royal Masonic School for Girls and at Highgate School. Teaching staff: 34 full and part time.
Pupils take Common Entrance and scholarship exams at age 13. Typically 30% are awarded scholarships to secondary schools.
Some 70% of boys go on to Abingdon School (entrance by Common Entrance).
All National Curriculum subjects taught. Specialist subject teachers introduced at age 6. Specialist provision: Limited SEN provision. Languages: French taught from age 6, Latin from 10. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum. ICT suite provides computer access for all pupils.
50+% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Some Musical groups include orchestra, choir, contemporary bands. 2 major concerts annually plus informal monthly recitals. Majority of pupils involved in annual school drama productions; recently 'Carrots' the musical, with a cast of 100 together with local girls' schools. Specialist art facilities. Music, drama, dance and art all offered as extra-curricular activities.
Compulsory sports as part of curriculum: rugby, football, cricket, swimming. Optional: tennis, table-tennis, hockey, fencing, rounders, golf, badminton, judo, sailing. Fixtures against other prep schools; tag rugby team played before the Varsity match at Twickenham; sports tours UK and abroad (recent rugby tour to France). Activities: Charity fund-raising (climbing mountains to cake sale) Up to 30 clubs and societies including Eco club, chess, gardening, warhammer, Quest (religous studies), ICT, fencing, swimming, judo, badminton.
Uniform: School uniform worn. Houses: Competitive houses. Head and deputy head of house, elected by pupils. Religion: No compulsory religious worship. Social: English project with local primary schools, joint theatrical productions with local girls' schools, local sporting tournaments. Trips abroad include annual residential and day trips to France, sports tours (eg Holland, France); links with school in Kenya. Meals compulsory, cafeteria style; only those with special dietary requirements may bring own food. School uniform shop. Pupils travel to school by car and school minibus. Supervision available before and after school (8am-6pm).
Run by Jacky Barrat, Registrar of the school.
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