At this time of year pupils all across the country, having taken their mocks, are planning their revision for the real exams in the summer term. This is the culmination of all their hard work begun when they first started school.

Some pupils, now approaching the end goal of their education at Our Lady’s Abingdon (OLA), will have joined in the nursery where our highly-qualified and experienced Early Years staff offer a supportive and positive environment in which children can develop as happy and flourishing learners.

The Junior School shares many of the Senior School’s facilities, including a 25m indoor swimming pool, seven science laboratories and D & T suite. Since OLA Senior School became co-educational, both boys and girls from the Junior School can continue into the Senior School, making the transition to secondary education much simpler and less unsettling for both pupils and parents.

Throughout the school, sport is inclusive with everyone taking part regardless of ability, and developing interests that will last a lifetime enabling him or her to maintain a healthy body as well as an enquiring mind. We have many pupils who have reached county and national levels in their chosen sports: “Pupils achieve excellent results in a range of extra-curricular activities, especially in sport.” (ISI Inspection Report 2010) From Early Years to Sixth Form, students are also able to find an expression for creative talents through many and varied extracurricular activities.

There is a strong commitment to local community schemes and an impressive record in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme and Young Enterprise (Our Year 10 pupils have just won best business plan at a YE trade tair.) International links have been firmly established through partnership with Maryhill High School in Uganda and OLA holds the DfE International School Award.

After GCSE, pupils continue into the Sixth Form, which also welcomes pupils from other schools who wish to join OLA at this stage.

Anyone wishing to join is encouraged to come for a taster day beforehand, and experience a day in the life of the Sixth Form.

Entry is subject to acceptable GCSE results.

Our pupils achieve excellent academic results: “Pupils make exceptional progress in their academic studies in relation to their ability profile ” (ISI Inspection Report 2010), but also leave us as well-rounded and independent individuals with a sound moral and spiritual basis for the next stage of their lives: “Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is excellent...” (ISI).

“Our Lady’s Abingdon prides itself on being very much a family school, which can cater for your child from nursery through to A-Level. Our move to co-education provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen these family ties.” said Lynne Renwick, Head.

Why not come and see why the ISI Inspectors “found that both young and older pupils were lavish in their praise of the school, using statements such as ‘everything is good’, ‘the school boosts your confidence’ and ’the school provides lots of opportunities’,”

at our open morning on Friday, March 11, between 9.15am and 11.45am.

This is an ideal opportunity to look round the school informally on a normal working day and meet the Head. Please contact us if you would like to attend. We look forward to welcoming you.

Call 01235 524658, e-mail: office@olab.org.uk Our Lady’s Abingdon, Radley Road, Abingdon OX14 3PS.