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Abingdon Preparatory School

Abingdon Preparatory School
Address
Map
Kingston Road

Frilford
,
Oxfordshire
,
OX13 5NX

England
Coordinates51°40′18″N 1°21′54″W / 51.6718°N 1.365°W / 51.6718; -1.365
Information
TypePreparatory School
Religious affiliation(s)Christian, Church of England
Established1956
FounderEvelyn Farrell
HeadmasterCraig Williams
Staff41[1]
GenderMixed
Age4 to 13
Enrolmentc. 250
Houses4
Colour(s)   Navy blue/turquoise
Websitehttps://www.abingdon.org.uk/prep/

Abingdon Preparatory School (known as Josca's until 2007,[2][3] and informally known as Abingdon Prep) is an independent preparatory school in the rural setting of Frilford, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England.[4] It is part of the Abingdon Foundation – a collective name for both it, and Abingdon School following a merger.

The school is a preparatory school receiving the highest rating of 'Excellent'; as well as meeting all eight areas of the compliance in the inspection undertaken by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) branch of the Independent Schools Council. Inspectors commented that "Pupils make excellent progress in the development of their knowledge, skills and understanding across the range of subjects".[5]

History

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Abingdon Preparatory School main building

The school was founded by Evelyn Farrell in 1956 with 5 pupils;[6] it now has around 250 pupils.[7] From 1963 to 1999 the school was run by Tony and Gillian Savin.

In 1998, it merged with Abingdon School, with both schools becoming part of the Abingdon Foundation. In 2007, development costing £3 million – bringing a new sports hall, changing rooms, class rooms, and an art room – was completed.[8] The school has a large sports field – especially large considering the size of the school. The area is known as Cox's Field West and Cox's Field East following a donation from Richard Cox, an Old Abingdonian.[9] In recent years, a bridge over the busy[10][11] A415 road has been built connecting the school on one side of the road to its sports fields on the other.

Craig Williams, took up the position of Headmaster in September 2017.[12] In 2020, the school constructed a new building housing a science laboratory, music school, design and technology area and classrooms.[13]

In 2024, the school announced that it would admit girls for the first time,[14] consisting of Pre-prep from September 2024 and to Years 3 to 6 from September 2025.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Abingdon Preparatory School – Staff Directory". Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  2. ^ "Oxford Mail – Prep school changes its name". 2 July 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "The Oxford Times – Prep School Changes Its name". 3 July 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2008.
  4. ^ "Abingdon Preparatory School". The Oxford Magazine. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  5. ^ "ISI Inspection". INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE. May 2023.
  6. ^ "Abingdon Preparatory School – Our History". Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 16 April 2008.
  7. ^ "The Independent Schools Directory – Abingdon Prep". 18 June 2007. Archived from the original on 29 May 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2008.
  8. ^ "SFS Group – School changes name as part of £3 development". 3 July 2007. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
  9. ^ "Cox's Fields" (PDF). The Abingdonian.
  10. ^ "Oxford Villages – Frilford, Garford and Lyford". Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 19 April 2008.
  11. ^ "Oxford Mail – We don't want new bridge". 1 June 2006. Retrieved 19 April 2008.[dead link‍]
  12. ^ "Abingdon Preparatory School announces new Headmaster". Abingdon School.
  13. ^ "Abingdon Prep School set to open new block". The Oxford Mail. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Abingdon School announces that it will now admit girls". The Oxford Mail. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  15. ^ "Abingdon School to welcome girls for the first time". BBC. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
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