“A place of energy and laughter…” is how d’Overbroeck’s was described by the Good Schools Guide and it’s a description we continue to think is spot on. Come and visit and we think you will see why. Founded in 1977 and located just north of Oxford city centre, d’Overbroeck’s is a co-educational independent school taking students from age 11 through to 18. d’Overbroeck’s is built on personal relationships, a lack of stuffiness and a strong conviction that every individual lies at the heart of the school.
We are Oxford’s only fully co-educational independent school from age 11 through to Sixth Form. Our aim is for every one of our students to achieve their ambitions, enjoy a broad and fulfilling education and to inspire a lifelong love of learning.
That journey begins in Year 7 (or in Year 9 for those joining us from Prep schools), where this potential is identified, challenged and given every opportunity to grow. At the heart of our ethos is the knowledge and celebration of each of our students as an individual. Our consistently proven academic excellence comes as a result of this ethos, as does our community of students who are engaged, happy and at ease with themselves and their peers.
Students in Years 7-11 are day students from the surrounding area. Classes are no bigger than 15 and 2021 GCSE results were once again impressive, with 69% of all entries being awarded grades 9-7 (A*-A) grades. Head of School Jane Cockerill greets students at the school gate each morning and once in the classroom, they interact with teachers who are able and willing to respond to sparks of interest as they occur within their schemes of work – ensuring that students remain engaged in a subject that seems relevant and exciting.
Our Sixth Form students are a mix of our own Year 11 students and over 130 students who join us each year from other schools. This makes for a very dynamic environment. Most students are from the UK but we have a significant proportion from abroad; international students are from over 30 countries. Around half our Sixth Form students are boarders.
In the Sixth Form there is an unusually wide range of 35 A-Level subject choices which students can study in any combination, without set option blocks. There is an extensive range of academic enrichment options too, including the Extended Project Qualification, specialist Oxbridge, Law and Medicine programmes and wider learning opportunities. Through small classes of up to 11 per lesson and interactive teaching methods, students are able to gain confidence in expressing themselves more effectively, in questioning and debating.
The Sixth Form is seen as a superb transition from school to university and the results speak for themselves. In 2021, 34% of entries achieved A*s, 67% of entries were awarded A*-A and top university destinations included UCL, King’s, LSE, Imperial, Oxford and Cambridge.
Pastoral care throughout d’Overbroeck’s is outstanding and regularly praised by students, parents and staff. d’Overbroeck’s is very much a ‘people place’ where each individual thrives. First name terms highlight our collaborative approach, underpinned by a high level of mutual respect.
There is a busy co-curricular programme across the school with very strong arts, drama and music departments and brand new, state-of-the-art facilities at the d’Overbroeck’s Arts Centre in Summertown. In keeping with our ethos of offering a broad education founded on the values of choice and enjoyment, students can take part in over 50 academic, art, drama, music and sport extra-curricular clubs and activities.
TYPE OF SCHOOL:
Co-educational, day and boarding.
NUMBER OF PUPILS:
Years 7-11: 200
Sixth Form: 695, 50 % Boarding, 50% Day
FACILITIES:
Years 7-11 is located on Leckford Road and our main Sixth Form building is based at 333 Banbury Road. Boarding houses and host families for full and weekly Sixth Form boarders are located in close proximity to the school, as is our brand new Arts Centre which is a 10 minute walk away in Summertown.
Students also benefit from access to the University of Oxford’s state-of-the-art sporting facilities, and talented Sixth Form tennis players can embark on our Tennis Academy programme with our partners at the North Oxford Lawn Tennis Club.
