Christ Church Cathedral School
11+ Admissions Guide 2026

Christ Church Cathedral School is a school for boys aged two to thirteen in Oxford, with girls also welcome in the Nursery. Founded in 1546 by Henry VIII, its original purpose was to educate the choristers of Christ Church College, and music and choral life remain central to its identity today. The school moved to its current premises, situated opposite Christ Church College, during the nineteenth century, when it also began to welcome non-choristers. It sits on a compact site and has access to playing fields in nearby Christ Church Meadow. The school educates and provides boarding accommodation for the cathedral choristers, as well as the choristers of Worcester College Chapel, who attend as day boys. Governance rests with the Dean and Canons of Christ Church College, supported by a governing committee that includes members of the cathedral chapter alongside advisory governors from relevant professional fields. Although an Anglican foundation, the school warmly welcomes pupils of all faiths and none. It draws its pupils from the surrounding Oxford area and has a diverse community, including many pupils from a variety of minority ethnic backgrounds. The school supports pupils with special educational needs and those for whom English is an additional language, and provides a programme of more challenging activities for pupils identified as more able. At its heart, the school aims to treat every child as an individual, helping each one to thrive and feel ready for the next stage of their education.