Each year we welcome approximately 10 – 15 new pupils into Year 9. Candidates must have reached the age of 13 before 1st September in the year of entry. Exceptions are made only where there are strong reasons for believing that this is in the candidate’s best interests. Prior permission must be sought in advance from the Head if a candidate is out of year.
Step 1: Visit Us
Our Admissions Events provide an opportunity for you to meet our Head, Mrs Marina Gardiner Legge, and our dedicated staff and current pupils whether virtually or in person.
Visit our Admissions events page to register for an upcoming event.
Step 2: Apply
We recommend applying as early as possible in the year preceding entry using our online application form. All applications for entry to Year 9 should be submitted when your daughter is in Year 8 and earlier applications are welcomed. Please check our Key Admissions Dates to see all details relevant to your daughter’s admissions journey.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload a current passport style photo, tell us about your daughter and pay a non-refundable registration fee of £120 (£180 for overseas applicants). If you are in receipt of income support then we are able to waive this fee, providing proof of income support is sent through. Please contact our Registrars (admissions@oxf.gdst.net or 01865 478 678) for further information.
Bursary Application
To apply for a bursary, you must tick the box on the initial registration form or let the Admissions team know in writing.
Bursaries can only be awarded to candidates applying in the main application round; those who apply after the deadline in the autumn preceding the year of entry will not be eligible for a bursary. Applications for bursaries cannot be made to the Trust once offers have been made.
If you have ticked the bursary box on the application form (or let one of the Admissions team know in writing), and you have applied before the deadline for the main point of entry (see Key Admission Dates). You will be contacted once the Trust’s online bursary application portal is open in the Autumn Term, where you can log-in and complete the bursary application form prior to the bursary application deadline.
All bursary applications are assessed independently by the Fees Office of the GDST and applications are means-tested, taking into account parental income and assets. In addition to satisfying the means-tested criteria, recipients of bursary awards must also score highly in our entrance assessments. GDST bursaries range from 30% to 100% of school fees; however, the amount of any bursary depends on individual circumstances, local demand and the funding available. Sometimes awards of a lesser value may be offered. Please visit our Bursaries page for details of the bursary assessment criteria.
Step 3: Assessments
Our assessments and interviews are looking for potential. We look for how candidates apply their knowledge and understanding based on topics which would form a common core which we feel should have been covered by all.
Admissions Day
During her admissions day, your daughter will sit computer-based assessments using Quest Learning (Formerly know as ATOM Learning), which includes English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal and lasts approximately 1 hour in length.
Your daughter will also sit a 30 minute hand-written English task as part of her entrance assessments.
Prior to her Year 9 Admissions Day, we will send a parent Quest Learning FAQ sheet, which includes a small familiarisation exercise to help candidates understand how the assessment will be laid out.
Interview
We invite every candidate who sat the entrance assessments to take part in an interview with the Head, Mrs Gardiner Legge, or a member of the Senior Leadership Team. At the interview, we aim to put candidates at their ease whilst also challenging them. This approach enables us to identify whether a pupil will truly thrive here, academically and otherwise, also providing her with the chance to learn about life at Oxford High School.
Academic Scholarships
Academic Scholarships and Exhibitions are awarded on merit on the basis of the entrance examinations and interview. There are no separate Academic Scholarship examinations or interviews. All candidates who have received Year 9 place offer will be considered for Academic Scholarships or Exhibitions.
Reference from Current School
We will contact a candidate’s current school for a reference using the information provided in the application form. Please ensure the details provided are of an individual, preferably the Head, of your daughter’s current school, not of an individual external to your daughter’s education.
Step 4: Offers and Acceptance
Parents will be informed of the outcome of their daughter’s application prior to the end of the Autumn Term. Bursary awards, Academic Scholarship and Exhibition awards will also be communicated to parents at this point. Scholarships and exhibitions are held for the duration of the time that your daughter is at Oxford High School, subject to satisfactory progress and behaviour.
Acceptance of Offers
The deadline for accepting offered places is Monday 3rd March 2025. On the acceptance of a place, a deposit of £1,000 is payable, which the school retains until the end of the pupil’s final term in the school and which is refunded within 12 weeks of her leaving, less any sums owing to the Girls’ Day School Trust or the school at that time. The deposit is forfeited if the pupil does not take up the accepted place.
Step 5: Art, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarships
Candidates in receipt of an offer for Year 9 also have the opportunity to apply for an Art, Drama, Music or Sport Scholarship (candidates can apply for up to 2 categories). We also offer Exhibitions in these categories. These Scholarships are held for the duration of the time that your daughter is at Oxford High School, subject to satisfactory progress and behaviour.
Please visit our Scholarships page for more information.
Step 6: Settling into Oxford High School
We believe it is crucial to ensure pupils settle quickly and happily into their new surroundings. We aim to send out all relevant information to new parents well in advance and, once your place has been confirmed as accepted, we will invite you to come along to events or concerts in school so you can meet your future classmates or fellow parents. Buddy systems and ‘New Pupils’ Day’ events are all part of the warm welcome you will enjoy when you join Oxford High School!
If you have further questions about the admissions process, please check out our FAQs page or contact us at admissions@oxf.gdst.net or 01865 478678.