School News
Sports Awards
Headington Rye’s most talented young sportswomen gathered to celebrate their achievements at our glittering Sports Awards ceremony, highlighting standout moments from key sports, exceptional individuals, and team successes. We celebrated pupils for their dedication, progress, all-round contributions and outstanding athletic accomplishments.
We also welcomed David Ames, the Team GB Men’s Hockey Captain. David’s international hockey career spans over 16 years, during which he has been a central figure in the GB squad and competed at the very highest levels, including multiple Olympic Games and European Championships. David mingled with students and parents, before sharing how his school community and parents’ support made him the athlete he is today. He concluded by expressing his excitement for the girls' achievements and celebrated Headington Rye’s young athletes.
Year 8 Enterprise
Year 8 pupils tackled an entrepreneurial challenge to raise money for Oxford Children’s Hospital. After a week of brainstorming ideas such as baking, bracelet sales and dog walking, each pupil received £8 seed money (funded by last year's profits) to invest in their business. Veva emerged as the top performer, raising over £1,400 by creating an excellent animation for her GoFundMe page about Oxford Children’s Hospital. Collectively, the year group raised over £8,300, beating the previous fundraising record of £7,000.
Model UN
Seven students from Years 9 to 12 travelled to Marlborough College to take part in the Model United Nations conference, representing the Syrian delegation across various committees including Crisis, Modern Slavery and Women’s Rights. Pupils tackled policies on human trafficking, universal healthcare, and women’s political and legal rights.
Head of Economics and Business Studies, Cy Webber said: “All our pupils delivered speeches, challenged other delegates and ensured resolutions from a Syrian perspective. They clearly demonstrated confidence in negotiating from a position outside of their own, displaying the ability to see the world through a different lens. They are a credit to themselves and to Headington Rye.”
Annual Reunion
Last June, Headington Rye Oxford welcomed back over 160 alumni and former staff for the School’s Annual Alumni Reunion. Laughter and nostalgia filled the day as Headingtonians and Ryetonians reconnected with old friends and teachers to share stories of their school days. Guests enjoyed a reception and a sit down lunch with their graduating year, before exploring their old school grounds. The 2025 Head Girl Trio joined the day, giving alumni a firsthand look at life at Headington Rye today.
OxClean
Year 9 pupils headed into the local community to clear litter from the streets. While some groups discovered more unusual items, including abandoned car seats, all worked hard to make a visible difference. Local residents praised the students, saying “It’s delightful to see these children doing such good for our local community. On behalf of my street, thank you.”
School of Rock
In July, 67 Lower School pupils delivered a show-stopping performance of ‘School of Rock’ to four sell-out audiences. Pupils took on a range of backstage roles, including hair, make-up, costume, props and sound. The cast and crew had been rehearsing the show since mid-February, culminating in one of Headington Rye's finest productions. From an electrifying set, smoke cannons and all, to the feat of controlling 40 mic packs all at once, the show perfectly captured the musical's “stick-it-to-the-man” energy.
Staff v Student Hockey
In blazing hot sunshine, a staff team with wildly-varied hockey experience faced off against a team of the Sixth Form’s finest players. Pupils lined the pitch to cheer on their favourites, waving giant foam hands and handmade signs. Head of Geography, David Cunningham and Head of History of Art, David Morrish provided lively pitchside commentary and interviews. Towards the end of the match, the staff turned to increasingly questionable tactics, earning a flurry of yellow and green cards. However, when the final whistle blew, it was the staff who came out victorious, winning 5 goals to 3.
Game Changing Women
The Summer Term concluded with Year 7's Game Changing Women’s final: a cross-curricular project with English, History, Drama and the Library. After receiving an assigned woman who shaped society, pupils researched in the library with help from the History Department, crafted speeches with the English Department and learnt how to deliver them with poise and confidence in Drama. They then produced a creative piece inspired by their game-changing woman.
Scholars’ Exhibition at Ronald McDonald House
Art Scholars, teachers, parents and friends gathered at Ronald McDonald House to celebrate the opening of this year’s Art Scholars’ Exhibition. Ronald McDonald House provides vital accommodation for families with children at the John Radcliffe Hospital and Headington Rye Oxford has provided artwork for several years. This year, scholars produced pieces surrounding the theme ‘Happy Memories’. To prepare, the scholars worked tirelessly, formulating proposals, sketching ideas and applying brush to canvas to transform fond memories into artistic expression.
Headington Rye marks Remembrance
The School gathered to commemorate Remembrance Day and welcomed Army Chaplin Revd Captain Tom Murray. In his homily, the Revd Murray spoke about the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s motto, “To Lead Is to Serve”, reflecting on how this principle shaped the life of Jesus Christ and all those who have sacrificed their lives for our daily freedoms. The commemoration featured Headington Rye’s Poet Laureate, Octavia and a beautiful rendition of the hymn 'It Is Well' by the Chamber Choir. Elayna and Rebecca provided moving performances of ‘The Last Post’ before the entire School community observed a two-minute silence in shared reflection.
Careers Fair
Headington Rye Oxford buzzed with activity as alumni, parents and delegates from the Oxfordshire Women’s Leadership Network gathered for the biennial Careers Fair. Students from Year 9 – 13 spoke with professionals from a vast array of industries. Nearly 40 stalls featured a wide range of sectors, including STEM, medicine, finance, law, manufacturing, government, and education.
Assistant Head (Pupil Development), Hannah Leigh said: “It was wonderful to see our pupils making the most of this networking opportunity, with many securing work-experience placements for their summer holidays. This important event supported our pupils’ individual understanding of various career paths and what they can do to pursue them."
Pride and Prejudice
This year’s Winter Production was a true first: a brand-new musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Pride & Prejudice’. The show featured 16 original songs, five of which students Seraya and Georgie (Year 13), Domino (Year 12), and Eloise (Year 11) composed themselves. Over four sell-out performances, an outstanding cast of 45 pupils brought the show to life, alongside a live band of 13 musicians.
Tangerine Party
In December, the Prep School celebrated the joyful tradition of the Tangerine Party. Each child from Nursery to Year 6 received a festive tangerine to mark the occasion, spreading sweetness throughout the hall. Against a backdrop of colourful Christmas jumpers, the children staged a talent show filled with singing, music and fun. The school choir performed beautifully, while soloists wowed the audience. The tradition was a joyful start to the festive season.
Carol Service
Headington Rye Oxford hosted three carol services for over 1,500 attendees. In the morning, Years 7 and 8 gathered at the Roman Catholic parish church, St Anthony of Padua. Lay Chaplain, Fran Walsh led the service, which featured over 50 pupils; Years 9 – 13 walked to Christ Church Cathedral for a morning service, where the Chamber Choir led the singing. The day concluded with an evening service at the Cathedral, welcoming a large audience of parents and alumni.
House Dance
The term ended with an eruption of colour, music and unstoppable energy with Headington Rye’s House Dance Competition. This year, houses reimagined iconic hits from the 2010-2019 decade. Backstage teams transformed the Main Hall while costumes, makeup and special effects pushed boundaries. Jones stole the spotlight early on by unveiling a dramatic air-fan effect; while Fender and Tucker earned praise for involving the entire house. The judges were blown away by the sheer standard of the performances: dynamic choreography, energised movement, tight formations and the kind of flips, jumps and tricks that had the whole audience roaring with approval. After a morning of unforgettable performances, Sumpter claimed the winning title, with King in second and Porcher and Fender sharing third.
ISI Report
Following a three-day visit from a team of ten inspectors from the Independent Schools Inspectorate in January, the recent ISI inspection report showed that Headington Rye Oxford's co-curricular provision was identified as a ‘significant strength’. Only around one in ten schools inspected is awarded an area of significant strength. The School, which was fully compliant with all regulatory standards, was praised across the board, from its “nurturing and encouraging” early years provision and boarding offering to its “wide-ranging, intellectually stimulating” curriculum. Inspectors praised leadership, management and pastoral care, saying: “Leaders, with the support of governors, have established a school culture that has pupils’ wellbeing at its heart.”
International Evening
In January, Headington Rye’s boarding community celebrated culture and diversity through an incredible display of song and dance. International Evening reinforced its reputation as an exceptional display of our community’s varied cultures, as pupils from Davenport through to the Sixth Form shared their musical talents with friends and staff. Highlights included a beautiful Southeast Asian dance set to music from Myanmar, Malaysia and Thailand, a heartwarming performance from Napier’s ‘Trouble Trio’ and a startling ballet in bird costumes that sent the audience into a spiral of laughter. After weeks of rehearsals, each group delivered another spectacular celebration of Headington Rye’s international culture.
Ballet
In February, Headington Rye dancers staged two full-length ballets. Senior dancers, joined by hardworking Year 6s, performed an atmospheric and highly technical production of 'Giselle', the romantic tale of innocent love and betrayal. Year 6s also teamed up with dancers from across the Prep School to perform their own rendition of ‘Peter and the Wolf’.
Lunar New Year
Headington Rye Oxford welcomed the Year of the Fire Horse in style, as nearly 200 pupils, parents and staff gathered to celebrate Lunar New Year. Headmistress, Caroline Jordan reflected on the significance of the Fire Horse: how its intense energy, rapid transformation and bold independent action are like every day at Headington Rye. Members of the Prep School’s Chinese community performed a stunning traditional dance, accompanied by music from fellow pupils.
Mind, Body & Soul
Headington Rye dancers showcased their hard work in March during the spectacular ‘Mind, Body & Soul’ production. 167 pupils from across the Senior School performed two sell-out shows, performing outstanding routines in a range of styles. The program featured Headington Dance Academy, Street Dance, Ballet, Contemporary Dance Club, Rambert Grades, games groups and A Level dancers.
Alumni Networking Evening
In March, over 40 Headington Rye alumni met for a networking evening in London. The event brought together professionals from business, economics, finance and marketing for an informal opportunity to connect. In a relaxed pub setting, alumni caught up with friends and made new connections within the community. Many attendees graduated within the past decade, and reminisced on their career journeys since leaving school and university.
Assistant Head, George Vlachonikolis said: “I thought the event was brilliant. It was particularly great to hear about so many interesting journeys after Headington Rye. It was certainly a proud teacher moment!”
