Our Lady's Abingdon
| Our Lady's Abingdon | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
Radley Road Abingdon-on-Thames , Oxfordshire , OX14 3PS England | |
| Coordinates | 51°40′34″N 1°16′35″W / 51.67599°N 1.27626°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private day school |
| Motto | Latin: Age Quod Agis[1] (Whatever you do, do it well) |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1860 |
| Founders | Sisters of Mercy |
| Closed | 11 August 2025 |
| Local authority | Oxfordshire |
| Department for Education URN | 123298 Tables |
| Head teacher | Daniel Gibbons |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 7 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 400~ |
| Website | ola |
Our Lady's Abingdon (OLA) was a Catholic, co-educational, private day school in Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, for pupils aged 7–18. The school shut down in August 2025, citing "economic pressures".[2]
History
Our Lady's Convent was founded in 1860 by Sister Clare Moore of the Sisters of Mercy, who worked closely with Florence Nightingale. The school's main auditorium is named after her, the Clare Moore Auditorium, known as the CMA. The school began educating boys and girls from the local area, with a boarding school created in 1866.
The school was reconstituted independently of the Sisters of Mercy in 2004 as a registered charity and in private company limited by guarantee, formally titled Our Lady's Abingdon Trustees Limited.[3][4] The Sisters have since left Abingdon in 2011 but they maintain a representative on the Board of Governors.[5]
In September 2009, the school began admitting boys into the senior school.[1] The school name was changed to Our Lady's Abingdon to reflect the change. Since the 2013–14 academic year, it has been fully co-educational.
Daniel Gibbons, formerly Deputy Head of Downside School, took over as Head from September 2021.[6]
On 11 August 2025, it was announced that the school was to close with immediate effect, citing "a range of economic pressures", including "the introduction of VAT on school fees, higher National Insurance contributions, the ending of business rates relief for independent schools, and rising operational costs", as well as the fact that "affordability has become a growing concern for an increasing number of families", which "has led to a sharp decline in pupil numbers in recent months".[7]
Academics
A-Level
In 2024, 96% of students at OLA achieved at least a passing grade (grade E) in their A-Levels. Five students achieved straight A*/A grades, up from two in 2023. 2⁄3 of students gained at least one grade A*, grade A, or grade B.[8]
GCSE
In 2024, 93% received at least a passing grade (grade 4) in their GCSEs. Seven pupils achieving straight 9/8/7 grades, up from two in 2023, and over half of the students gained at least one grade 8 or grade 9.[8]
Pastoral Care
As a Catholic school,[3] mass and feast days are regularly celebrated and open to parents and visitors. The school is located within the Parish of Our Lady and St Edmund and is regularly visited by the parish priest, who is also a member of the Board of Governors.[9]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Boys welcomed to senior school". Oxford Mail. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "School's sudden closure leaves families shocked". Oxford Mail. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Our Lady's Abingdon Trustees Limited, registered charity no. 1120372". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
- ^ "Our Lady's Abingdon Trustees Limited overview - Find and update company information - Gov.uk". Companies House. 5 June 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "Milestones in the History of our Parish". stedmundabingdon.org.uk.
- ^ "Daniel Gibbons appointed next Head of Our Lady's Abingdon". Attain. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ Dimitrova, Galya (11 August 2025). "Abingdon private school cites VAT change as reason for closure". BBC News. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Exam Results". Our Lady's Abingdon. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "Spiritual Life".
External links
- Official website
- Our Lady's Abingdon Trustees Limited at the Charity Commission for England and Wales
- Profile on the Independent Schools Council website
