Useful Information

Headington Rye Oxford is set in the heart of Oxford, just a mile from the city centre and benefits from excellent transport links. We encourage pupils and staff to arrive, where possible, using green and sustainable transport methods such as walking, cycling or taking one of the many private or public bus routes which serve the School. We are also aware that many pupils who wish to take advantage of all that Headington Rye Oxford has to offer come from further afield, so do everything we can to support their journeys to school.

Pupils travelling to school can take advantage of:

• 12 private bus routes via a shared bus partnership with Magdalen College School serving the local surrounding towns and villages
• Two Park & Ride buses
• Multiple local bus routes
• Two regular bus routes to London
• A direct link from Oxford Railway Station and Oxford Parkway Railway Station via the Park & Ride bus
• Bicycle parking and bicycle paths on the roads surrounding the School
• Safe, light-controlled pedestrian crossing points in all directions
• A safe one-way drop-off zone for drivers
• Half-weekly, weekly and full boarding options

A cycling map of Oxford can be found here.

Our joint bus service with Magdalen College School  has been running since September 2023 and offers 12 routes across Oxfordshire. Details along with timetables and fares can be found on the Headington Rye and Magdalen College School Joint Bus Partnership website here. If you have any further questions, please contact transport@headington.org 

Both schools are committed to investing in this new, joint bus partnership to support our families and protect the environment by minimising the need to travel by car. 

Whilst there is no parking at either the Prep or Senior School, a safe drop-off/pick-up zone has been created by Hillstow House for pupils coming to school by car. This is strictly a no-parking, no-waiting zone and a one-way system is in operation for all traffic.

Access is via the Stable Yard Gate and exit is via the automatic gates at Davenport. A limited temporary waiting area (no more than ten minutes) is available adjacent to Hillstow House – so please do not stop along the access road as this blocks other traffic.

Pupils should be encouraged to keep to the safe pedestrian pathways to avoid the risk of an accident in the drop-off zone. A crossing point has been created to enable pupils to get to school via the central pathway and a shelter has been provided in the event of inclement weather.

In the event of an emergency, pupils may contact House Staff in the Hillstow Office. Parents can also telephone the Hillstow Office on +44 (0) 1865 759173 if they are unable to contact their daughters.

We directly employ all our catering staff and they follow the same high standards as the rest of our team. Our team of chefs and catering assistants  are excited about providing excellent food for a diverse range of different needs in our school setting.

We offer a wide selection of healthy meals for all tastes and diets. As well as a choice of hot dishes, vegetarian and vegan main meals, soup, jacket potatoes, pasta, sandwiches and salads are always available at lunchtime. Hot and cold desserts are also available each day, including yoghurts and fruit. Our menus change every day and our food committee meets regularly to discuss and review the choices on offer.

For us food is all about balance. We want our girls to enjoy their food and to treat it both as something to provide them with fuel to support them through their action-packed school day and to enjoy with their friends. We take advice from the experts and make sure we offer plenty of delicious, healthy options. Fruit is always available at break time, lunch time and tea time, while at tea time girls can also refuel on crudités and toast, or opt for cake or hot chocolate.

We cater for a wide range of diets and allergies. A halal meat or vegetarian option is available every day. All our dishes are clearly labelled with allergen information and our staff can provide more specific advice if pupils are unsure. We are also very accustomed to catering for sports nutrition, making sure, for example, that our elite rowers have everything they need to make sure they are ready for training and racing.

Breakfast is an important part of the day for our boarders. Girls can choose from a continental breakfast or fill their plates with a variety of hot breakfast items. They can also help themselves to cereals, fresh fruit salad, yoghurts, juice and hot drinks.

For supper, boarders will again enjoy a variety of options, with different diets and preferences catered for. There are also termly suppers with an international theme and special house suppers where girls select the theme and menu.

Full details about our senior school uniform can be found here while our prep school uniform can be found here. Our uniform can be ordered from our supplier, Stevensons, in the following ways:

• order online from the Stevensons website
• in person at their shop at 245 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7HN
• telephone 01865 554559

Second-hand uniform sales take place regularly at the Prep School and in the Summer Term at the Senior School. Parents also use Classlist’s marketplace to buy and sell items.

As our girls get older and reach the Sixth Form, we encourage them to express their individuality and discover who they are, which often means experimenting with their appearance. To that end, our Sixth Formers do not wear uniform – but we do ask them to think carefully about what they wear and be mindful that how they dress will affect how others respond to them. All Sixth Formers are expected to have a black, grey or navy suit for formal occasions and to wear smart, practical clothing in a good state of repair at all other times.

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Headington School is proud to champion the Halo Hair Code. For more information click on the logo below.