Cokethorpe School

Cokethorpe combines tradition with innovation, employing a research-informed educational model to create a vibrant and intellectually stimulating environment. The school’s ethos is rooted in community and family, fostering kindness, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging. It aims to empower pupils to become effective learners who are ready to contribute positively to the world.

The school offers a continuous academic journey from Pre-Prep through to the Sixth Form. The Pre-Prep curriculum is play-based and topic-rich, while the Prep School uses a 'Creative Curriculum' that includes specialist teaching in French, Music, Drama, Art, PE, and Latin. The Senior School focuses on individual progress and academic rigour, preparing students for GCSEs and A Levels, with digital learning integrated via Microsoft Surface devices.

The school focuses on cultivating confident, curious, and well-rounded individuals prepared for life beyond the classroom. Academic success is supported by high expectations and individual focus, with pupils achieving strong results at GCSE and A Level. Careers provision is integrated throughout the Senior School to guide pupils toward their future pathways.

The Learning Development Department provides targeted support for study skills and revision techniques to all pupils, not exclusively those with recognised special educational needs. Additional support is available for pupils taking English as an Additional Language, and the department adds value to attainment through high-quality teaching and individualised assistance.

The admissions process is tailored to the pupil's stage of education, beginning with an initial enquiry and registration. Prospective families are encouraged to attend Open Mornings, personal tours, or 'Meet the Head' events to experience the school's community and ethos. Scholarships and awards are available to recognise exceptional talent and commitment, while means-tested bursaries are offered to ensure accessibility for families who would otherwise be unable to afford full fees.

The school operates on a three-term structure: Michaelmas, Lent, and Summer. Each term includes a half-term break, and the academic year concludes with Prize Giving ceremonies in early July. Specific term dates, including INSET days and the start of term for specific year groups like the First Form and Lower Sixth, are published annually.

Set in 150 acres of West Oxfordshire parkland, the campus features modern classrooms, science laboratories, and performance spaces, including a theatre with upgraded technical facilities. Sports facilities include a sports hall, fitness centre, climbing tower, boathouse on the River Thames, a six-hole golf course, and multiple pitches, including two full-size astro pitches. The Prep School is housed in the Queen Anne Mansion House, while the Senior School features collegiate-style classroom blocks, a library, a dining hall, and a dedicated Sixth Form Centre.

The co-curricular programme encompasses over 100 clubs and societies in the Senior School and more than 35 in the Prep School, covering performing and creative arts, sport, and outdoor education. Activities include the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, music tuition, drama, and various sports such as rugby, hockey, netball, tennis, football, cricket, and sailing. The school also hosts leadership development opportunities, including a Leadership Grant programme and student-led initiatives like RAG Week.