Christian Foundation

Headington Rye Oxford owes its existence to two groups of Christian individuals . In 1915 – a time when few were thinking about the importance of educating girls – a group of evangelical Christians established a new school in Oxford, then known as Headington. Their goal was to provide “a sound education for girls to fit them for the demands and opportunities likely to arise after the war”. Rye St Antony was founded by Oxford teachers Elizabeth Rendall and Ivy King in 1930 following a visit to St Anthony’s of Padua Church in Rye, East Sussex. In 2024, the two schools became one as Headington Rye Oxford, with a continued commitment to Christian values.

These Christian values, which continue to underpin everything we do at Headington Rye Oxford, are part of what makes the School so special. Today, the School has a vibrant, international community with girls of all faiths and none. Respect for that cultural and spiritual diversity is something we take very seriously while making sure we reflect the Christian values of our founders.

Our Motto

Fight the good fight of faith

Chaplains

Rev Tom Howell, our School Chaplain, joined Headington in 2012 from Kampala, Uganda, where he lived and worked with the Anglican Church. Rev Howell was ordained at a ceremony at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, in summer 2019. A key member of our pastoral team, Rev Howell also teaches Biology. Along with Mrs Fran Walsh, he takes the lead on spiritual aspects of life at Headington Rye Oxford as well as being on hand to provide support, advice or a listening ear for all pupils.

Mrs Fran Walsh joined Rye as a Lay Chaplain after 20 years of youth work and school chaplaincy experience. Mrs Walsh, who is a catechist in the Roman Catholic Church, teaches Religious Studies. Mrs Walsh also takes the lead on the GCSE in Catholic Christianity.

We celebrate our faith in a number of ways:

Weekly prayers (assembly) for girls and staff
A weekly Sunday Service for boarders
Whole school services for significant moments in the Church calendar including Harvest and Lent
An annual Carol Concert at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
Parent and staff prayer meetings twice a term
A Chapel Room which offers a calm and quiet space for reflection and prayer
Classes for girls preparing for, or considering, receiving Confirmation in the Church of England and, through Mrs Walsh in conjunction with the local Catholic Church, Catholic Confirmation
An annual retreat for Confirmation candidates and further residentials for those wishing to explore the Christian faith
Explore, a forum for religious and philosophical debate which provides the opportunity for girls to consider some of life’s deeper questions in an informal, open and friendly environment