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Our Lady's Abingdon

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Coordinates: 51°40′34″N 1°16′35″W / 51.67599°N 1.27626°W / 51.67599; -1.27626
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Our Lady's Abingdon
Location
Map
Radley Road

Abingdon-on-Thames
,
Oxfordshire
,
OX14 3PS

England
Coordinates51°40′34″N 1°16′35″W / 51.67599°N 1.27626°W / 51.67599; -1.27626
Information
TypePrivate day school
MottoLatin: Age Quod Agis[1]
(Whatever you do, do it well)
Religious affiliationRoman Catholic
Established1860
FoundersSisters of Mercy
Closed11 August 2025
Local authorityOxfordshire
Department for Education URN123298 Tables
Head teacherSonia Machen[2]
GenderCo-educational
Age7 to 18
Enrolment400~
Websiteola.org.uk

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".[3]

History

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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 was 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.[citation needed]

The school was reconstituted independently of the Sisters of Mercy in 2004[citation needed] as a registered charity and in private company limited by guarantee, formally titled Our Lady's Abingdon Trustees Limited.[4][5] The Sisters left Abingdon in 2011 but maintained a representative on the board of governors.[6]

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. From the 2013–14 academic year, it was fully co-educational.[citation needed]

Daniel Gibbons was head from September 2021 to 2024.[2][7] The head at the point of closure was Sonia Machen.[2]

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".[8]

Academics

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A-Level

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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.[9]

GCSE

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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.[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Boys welcomed to senior school". Oxford Mail. 17 September 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Evans, Madeleine (27 August 2025). "Parent speaks on 'lack of leadership' after private school closure". This is Oxfordshire. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  3. ^ "School's sudden closure leaves families shocked". Oxford Mail. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  4. ^ "Our Lady's Abingdon Trustees Limited, registered charity no. 1120372". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
  5. ^ "Our Lady's Abingdon Trustees Limited overview - Find and update company information - Gov.uk". Companies House. 5 June 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Milestones in the History of our Parish". stedmundabingdon.org.uk.
  7. ^ Attain. "Daniel Gibbons appointed next Head of Our Lady's Abingdon". Attain. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  8. ^ Dimitrova, Galya (11 August 2025). "Abingdon private school cites VAT change as reason for closure". BBC News. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Exam Results". Our Lady's Abingdon. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
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