Education consultants for schools in Oxford and Oxfordshire
Do you need help finding a school in Oxford and Oxfordshire?
You might be trying to navigate Oxfordshire's state school admissions and catchment areas, wrestling with offers from private preps in Oxford like The Dragon, Summer Fields and Chandlings, planning for admission into Magdalen College School, Oxford High, St Helen’s and St Katherine’s or Headington Rye or weighing up boarding at Radley, St Edward’s Oxford, Tudor Hall or Shiplake.
For some families where a child has additional needs, you might be trying to understand how an independent or state mainstream school can support them, weighing up schools which offer resource provision or look at more specialist options, either in Oxfordshire itself or further afield.
By the time most families reach us, they've already done their research. What they're looking for is an independent, expert perspective on which school is the right fit for their child.
Speak to an education consultant in Oxford
If you would like expert guidance on finding the right school for your child, we are here to help.
How we support families
Our consultants have extensive knowledge of schools across Oxford and the wider county. We can advise about private and state schools and boarding schools as well as specialist education, helping families understand not just the academic outcomes, but each individual school’s culture, ethos, approach to selection and admissions, future pathways and what kind of child is most likely to thrive in each environment.
Some ways we can help
- Relocating to Oxford or Oxfordshire
- Choosing between Oxford's independent schools
- Understanding Oxfordshire state school admissions
- Shortlisting prep, primary and secondary schools
- Advice on nursery, primary and secondary pathways
- Deciding whether boarding is right for your child
- Comparing mainstream and specialist schools for a child with dyslexia
- Understanding admissions at 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+ and 16+
- Finding the right school for children with SEND
- Unbiased advice on tutoring and educational support
- Talking through how a child with ADHD can flourish at school
- Navigating the EHCP process with Oxfordshire County Council
- Discussing educational options for a child with autism
Our heritage
When we launched The Good Schools Guide in 1986, we soon realised that parents are often looking for more detailed insight, personalised to their child, than they can find in a school review.
They were asking us:
Should we choose to invest in private education?
How can we tell whether a school is a good fit for our child?
What is the true value of a private school?
Will my child be happy at this or that school?
Might we have missed a hidden gem of a school that would be perfect for our child?
How do we maximise our child’s chances of securing a place?
Nearly forty years later, parents are asking us the same questions.
Our consultancy service was founded in response to demand from parents, and we continue to support many parents whether it be identifying the right school, choosing between schools or securing a place in a school.
We know the schools and have a deep understanding of the different environments they offer. We also understand children and can work with their parents to help them choose the right school for their particular child. Every school is different, whatever their academic outcomes and glossy prospectuses and websites tell you.
There is no best school, only a school that is best for your child.
Who are our education consultants in Oxford?
Our Oxford education consultants combine decades of consultancy experience with The Good Schools Guide. Their unrivalled knowledge of schools across Oxford and Oxfordshire has been forged in the fire of countless school visits and their scrutiny of everything from timetables, playing fields and theatres to school lunches and bathrooms as well as the essential grilling of the county’s leading heads.
Parents come to us for advice at various stages of their child’s education journey; this could be when they need help identifying the right schools, choosing between Oxfordshire's outstanding schools, looking for expert, objective perspective or needing an experienced guiding hand to help secure their child a place. Whether you're considering independent, state, boarding or SEND provision, we can advise and guide you into making the right decision as to which school is the right fit for your child and help you find a place.
We provide:
Independent, objective, expert advice — we receive no payment or commission from schools
Expertise and in-depth knowledge ofschools in Oxford and the wider education landscape
Guidance on both private and state educational pathways
Advice that places as much importance on wellbeing and pastoral care as on academic outcomes
Discreet, family-focused consultancy
Talk to us about schools in Oxford and Oxfordshire
We’ll help you understand your options and find the right school for your child.
"The families we work with are fortunate to be choosing between some absolutely outstanding schools in Oxford and Oxfordshire. But all schools, however excellent, have different cultures, expectations and opportunities. Helping parents understand those differences is where expert, in-depth local knowledge makes a difference."Grace Moody Stuart, Consultancy Director
Some of our team
Grace Moody-Stuart
Consultancy director
Grace is director of The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants and has worked for The Guide for 20 years.
Charlotte Phillips
SEND consultancy manager
Before joining The Good Schools Guide, specialising in SEND, Charlotte wrote about education and family life for The Telegraph, Times and Guardian and more.
Camilla Smiley
Education consultant
Camilla has been working in and around London schools since 2006 and has been advising parents throughout that time.
Some other services
Boarding school consultancy
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We have an experienced team of consultants who are ideally placed to advise families looking for a boarding school for their child
Education consultants for state schools
Our experienced education consultants help families navigate the UK state school system and find the right school for their child.
Private school consultancy
Our experienced private school consultants help families navigate the world of private schools.
FAQs about choosing a school in Oxford and Oxfordshire
How do I know which school in Oxford is right for my child?
Our consultants are highly experienced at working with children of all ages, understanding the background of each family and the contextof their quest to find the right school for their child. We tailor our advice to the individual circumstances of each family and with our in depth knowledge of schools, their ethos, culture, strengths and weaknesses, we can help you find the right school for your child.
Can I speak to someone about a particular school in Oxford?
Yes, we can arrange a virtual meeting or phone call with a consultant who knows the Oxford schools at short notice.
Can The Good Schools Guide help families relocating to Oxford find schools?
Yes. Our Oxfordshire consultants understand the educational landscape and have up to date, on the ground knowledge of the schools in Oxford and the wider county.
How do I find the right boarding school in Oxford?
Our consultants are all reviewers and writers for the Good Schools Guide. Our knowledge of schools is derived from first hand experience and up to date information about the boarding schools in and around Oxford. We can help you find your way through the glossy marketing material to give you the insight you need to choose the right boarding school for your child.
What areas in Oxford do Good Schools Guide consultants cover?
With a team of 25 expert consultants based all over the UK we can support you in a search for a school place in any area of Oxfordshire and the surrounding areas including the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire to the North and Wiltshire and Berkshire to the South.
Can you help me find a school in Oxford for my child with SEN?
Our SEN consultants are some of the most experienced members of our advisory team, with experience of identifying suitable schools in locations round the country, including Oxford. Please get in touch to find out more.
Does the consultant check whether my shortlisted schools in Oxford actually have places available?
We offer various levels of service as part of our consultancy offering to parents. All our services are bespoke and tailored to the needs of our clients. Liaising with schools to ascertain whether they would consider an application from a family is certainly something we offer to do as part of our support for parents.
I want to buy/rent a house in Oxford near the right school - can you help?
We work with a team of relocation agents. With our understanding and knowledge of individual schools and their knowledge of the property market in and around Oxford you will have full support in your relocation to Oxford.
Should I choose a mainstream school in Oxford or one with SEN provision for my child with SEN?
The vast majority of children with SEN in Oxford are educated in mainstream schools – and understandably, this is the preference for many parents. However, it all comes down to what is right for each individual child. Two children can have a similar diagnosis on paper. In reality, however, they will need very different types of school to flourish. Our consultants can talk through with you what your child needs and which environment will give them the best chance of succeeding at school.
What if I am not happy with the Oxford schools my consultant recommends?
We work closely with parents, discussing their requirements, values, aspirations and concerns in detail. There can be further discussions as we fine tune any recommendations and suggestions. While the perfect school does not exist, we work hard to ensure that any compromises are only ones that a family can accept with a smile.
Why use an educational consultant in Oxford rather than researching schools yourself?
A human being who can understand nuanced and complex situations, both in relation to a family’s circumstances as well as a school’s ethos, culture and character can often provide much needed insight that is buried in online internet research. Our consultants, unlike the dinner party circuit, can give honest, candid and objective advice without any agenda having really understood each individual circumstance.