Address: Abingdon Preparatory School, Josca’s House, Kingston Road, Frilford, Abingdon, Oxon OX13 5NX
Description: Founded in 1956 as Josca’s, it 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, drama studio, 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.
School Head: Headmaster: Crispin Hyde-Dunn in post from 2011. Educated at Oxford University (history). Previously Deputy Head of King’s College School, Cambridge, Head of History at New College School, Oxford.
Arts: 50+% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. 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 The Revenge of Sherlock Holmes with local girls’ schools. Specialist art facilities. Music, drama and art all offered as extra-curricular activities.
Sport: Compulsory sports as part of curriculum: rugby, football, cricket, swimming. Optional: tennis, table-tennis, hockey, fencing, rounders, golf, badminton, karate, sailing. Fixtures against other prep schools; sports tours UK and abroad (recent rugby tour to France). Activities: Charity fund-raising Up to 50 clubs and societies including Gardening and Eco club, chess, warhammer, Quest (religous studies), ICT, fencing, swimming, karate, badminton.
