Head’s Welcome

Welcome to Cokethorpe, a school that prides itself on providing a
research
-informed education to boys and girls from the age of four to eighteen.
 

A school with community at its heart

Dr Sarah Squire

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Cokethorpe School. From the very first steps in the Prep School through to the responsibilities and opportunities of the Sixth Form, pupils are supported and stretched to grow into confident, curious, and compassionate young people who are ready to contribute to the world beyond school. 

Cokethorpe is, above all, a place where people matter. Each pupil is known and valued, and our pastoral system ensures that they are guided and cared for throughout their time with us. The relationships between pupils and staff are built on trust and respect, fostering an environment in which young people feel confident to take risks, learn from setbacks, and celebrate one another’s achievements. Our House system, co-curricular programme, and shared experiences all strengthen our spirit of belonging, ensuring that pupils learn the importance of collaboration, empathy, and responsibility towards others. 

At the heart of a Cokethorpe education is our research-informed academic approach. We draw on evidence-based practice to ensure our teaching is both rigorous and responsive, combining the richness of tradition with the best of contemporary educational thinking. We believe that true learning comes not simply from the acquisition of knowledge, but from the ability to question, to connect ideas, and to apply understanding with creativity and independence. Our pupils are encouraged to develop intellectual ambition, and the resilience and adaptability to make the most of every opportunity life offers. 

We are fortunate to enjoy a stunning 150-acre parkland estate on the edge of the Cotswolds, just a short distance from Oxford. 

This setting provides a beautiful backdrop for learning, but more importantly, it gives space for imagination, reflection, and adventure. With more than 100 clubs, societies, and activities on offer each week, pupils are encouraged to explore widely, discover new passions, and pursue existing interests to a high level. Whether on the stage, in the art studio, on the sports pitches, or through the wider pursuits of outdoor education, these experiences enrich our pupils’ education, build character, and develop leadership. They also bring balance, pleasure, and perspective to school life, helping pupils to grow as rounded individuals. 

Cokethorpe is a school with ambition, where children discover the confidence that comes from achieving more than they thought possible among a community grounded in kindness, respect, and a genuine commitment to one another’s success. I warmly invite you to visit us and experience for yourself the energy, warmth, and sense of purpose that characterise our school. 

With warm wishes,

Damian Ettinger - Headmaster Signature

Dr Sarah Squire
Head

‘A spectacular learning environment’

The Good Schools Guide

Our Aims and Ethos

Our Cokethorpe community is built upon trust, belonging, and mutual respect.
Through our deep-rooted co-educational principles, we foster the empathy to connect, the responsibility to reflect, the courage to embrace challenge and the confidence to lead with integrity.
 

We are driven by a shared commitment: to inspire and guide young people to discover their passions, to pursue excellence, and to learn from mistakes. Learning and teaching
at Cokethorpe is rigorous, dynamic, and research-informed, yet always personal. We recognise that progress is individual, and every journey matters.
 

We value our beautiful landscape; it is a living part of our ethos. In these green spaces, pupils can both find calm and a breadth of opportunities for creativity, exploration,
and personal growth.
 

We believe in nurturing each pupil, such that they flourish into grounded young adults, equipped with self-belief, good judgement, and a strong sense of purpose.
Not just for themselves – but for the world that they will help shape.
 

Monthly Update

In this update, Dr Squire discusses recent topics among pupils and staff at the Community Council sessions and the importance of a collaborative process, the upcoming school productions, the magnificent Spring Concert, and looks ahead to the Summer Term.

Cokethorpe feather

Where next?

Approaches to Learning
Approaches to Learning

Whether at the earliest stages of learning or in the final preparations for A Levels, expert consideration is given to the approaches to learning at each stage of a pupil’s academic development at Cokethorpe.

Climbing tower at Cokethorpe
The Co-Curricular Programme

Our Co-Curricular Programme covers the performing and creative arts, sport and outdoor education, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and our extensive range of clubs and societies.

Discover Cokethorpe
Discover Cokethorpe

What you will discover when you visit Cokethorpe is more than a stunning vista. Pupils have an exceptional breadth of opportunity and are supported with a truly individual focus.

Book your tour today

Come and visit Cokethorpe, whether for an Open Morning, one of our monthly Meet the Head events, or a personal Tour, and Discover Your Cokethorpe.

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