Abingdon is a leading independent day and boarding school for boys aged 11-18. Full and weekly boarding is available from age 13. Abingdon Prep School is a day school for boys aged 4 to 13. The two schools together make up the Abingdon Foundation.

We are over 750 years old

  1. 1256

    The earliest references to the School come in a legal document of 1100, and from the will of the Abbot of Abingdon, John de Blosneville, who in 1256 left money for the support of 13 poor scholars
  2. 1375

    Another legal document records the School as being in two adjacent premises in Stert Street
  3. 1553

    Foundation of Christ's Hospital of Abingdon
  4. 1563

    John Roysse assisted in a re-endowment of the School, which moved to a site south of the Abbey gateway
  5. 1743

    Foundation of the Old Abingdonian Club
  6. 1870

    School moved to its present site in Albert Park. The new buildings comprised a schoolroom - now the teachers' common room - and School House for 40 boarders and 80 day pupils
  7. 1976

    Abingdon became an independent school after the Direct Grant scheme was abolished
  8. 1998

    The School merged with Josca's Prep School to form the Abingdon Foundation
  9. 2003

    The Arts Centre and a new boathouse opened
  10. 2007

    Josca’s changed its name to Abingdon Preparatory School
  11. 2008

    The Sports Centre opened
  12. 2010

    Felicity Lusk became Head of Abingdon, making her the first woman to lead the School
  13. 2014

    The School took over the management of extensive additional sports facilities at Tilsley Park
  14. 2015

    The Yang Science Centre opened
  15. 2016

    Michael Windsor became Head of Abingdon
  16. 2018

    Beech Court opened
  17. 2020

    Faringdon Lodge opened
  18. 2023

    Celebrating 25 years of the Abingdon Foundation
  19. 2023

    New dining pavilion and newly renovated Austin and Crescent Houses opened

At Abingdon we aim to teach and develop the resources, skills and resilience that students need to feel confident in embracing their future. We encourage students to seize opportunities and to appreciate their responsibilities to each other and to society as a whole. The School promotes a culture of mutual respect and equality and we celebrate diversity.

Abingdon enjoys the very best in academic standards, music, sport and the arts in a caring and supportive environment where students are motivated to succeed. The health and wellbeing of our pupils is paramount and the School has a comprehensive pastoral care system centred around a pupil’s tutor and housemaster.

The School is situated in 35 acres of beautiful grounds in the centre of Abingdon, just south of Oxford. There are around 1000 students at Abingdon and a further 250 pupils at the Prep School, which is based just a few miles away at Frilford.

In 2023:

0%

of all A level passes were A* grades

0%

of all A level passes were awarded A* to B grades

0%

of GCSE passes were awarded 9-7 or A*/A

We are one of only a few schools to have physical houserooms for both day pupils and boarders, so there is lots of space for students to be able to relax and unwind. Equally, we are proud of the fact that although we are a big school, the pastoral care breaks down into small units, with tutor groups of between 10 and 12 pupils per member of staff, so that every child is known and cared for.

The School combines over 750 years of history and tradition with a modern outlook. As well as encouraging academic achievement, with impressive results at GCSE, A Level and Oxbridge and university entrance, the School provides extensive extra-curricular opportunities which broaden horizons, promote a global outlook and build the skills needed for the workplace. We encourage pupils to try something new, to develop existing talents and to ‘give something back’.

18

countries visited in a typical two years by students

25

countries represented at Abingdon School

Our aim is to ensure each individual thrives at Abingdon and, through challenge and opportunity, achieves the most from their potential. Our pupils come from a wide range of social and geographic backgrounds, creating a lively and tolerant mix of cultures and we welcome students of all faiths.

0

pupils play musical instruments

0

post-grade 8 and diploma standard musicians

0

sports available to try

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pupils represent the school in nine sports on a typical Lent weekend

The majority of our students are day pupils although boarding plays an important part in the character of our School. We enjoy close ties with the nearby girls’ school of St Helen and St Katharine which adds a co-educational feel to our provision, especially in Sixth Form, where some subjects are taught jointly and there is much collaboration with drama productions, musical activities and, of course, socially.

“There is a caring atmosphere throughout the school.”

ISI Inspection

Organisation

Abingdon is divided into the Lower School (aged 11-13), Middle School (aged 13-16) and Upper School or Sixth Form (aged 16-18). Pupils spend two years in Lower School, three years in Middle School and two years in the Sixth Form.

Entry to the Lower School is mainly from maintained primary schools and independent schools which finish at the age of eleven, while the Middle School intake is predominantly from preparatory schools. In the Sixth Form there is a further intake of students from the maintained and independent sectors.

21 science labs

8-lane 25m indoor swimming pool

450 seat theatre

boathouse

The school day starts at 8.35am, lessons finish at 3.40pm and school buses depart at 5.20pm. Homework is set each day and the amount gradually increases as pupils move up the school. Wednesday afternoons, lunchtimes and 3.40pm to 5.20pm each day are devoted to ‘Other Half‘ activities – our extensive extra-curricular programme.

Every pupil has their own individual timetable of work and activities which are supervised by their tutor.