Headington sportswomen hit the national headlines last week when two Headington School rowers, Georgia Howard-Merrill and Fiona Gammond claimed a gold medal for Great Britain at the Youth Olympics in Singapore.

Their Olympic gold in the women’s pair event is the latest in a string of spectacular successes for the school’s boat club, HSOBC, and its rowers.

Earlier this summer, the two girls plus a Headington cox — who is also ranked number one in the country in her category — were part of the Junior Women’s Eight crew that took on stiff competition to win gold at the Junior World Championships in Racice, Czech Republic.

With the school’s boat club providing the winning boat and blades, as well as three crew members and the coach, Headington director of rowing Ryan Demaine, the GB victory was particularly sweet for HSOBC!

These international successes follow victories for Headington rowers at the National Schools’ Regatta, the National Schools’ head and the National Scullers’ head, in what has been another triumphant year for the boat club.

For Headington’s equestrian team, too, it’s been a landmark year, culminating in a glorious victory at Hickstead for the junior team. Headington riders have soared from strength to strength, with individual riders winning places at the Horse of the Year Show and the recent 1* CCI event at Glanusk in recent months.

The equestrian team was named Junior Cross Country Champions at Gawcott in the summer term, qualifying for the National Cross Country finals, and both individual and team riders gave highly creditable performances at the school’s second annual showjumping competition, held at Addington Manor (above, right) in conjunction with the Heythrop Hunt branch of the Pony Club.

The spectrum of sporting activity at Headington is broad, with a choice of 15 curricular and 20 extra-curricular sports on offer. From cheerleading to cross-country running, there is something to suit every interest.

Variety is the watchword at Headington, and in sport — as in all areas of school life — contribution is valued as highly as achievement.

The glamorous annual Sportswoman of the Year awards ceremony recognises excellence in both areas across the school, giving girls and teachers the chance to vote for their most-admired sportswomen and teams from Years 10–12.

This year’s individual prize was shared between the two Olympic medal winners, while the team trophy went to the fencing team, named the Best Girls’ School in this year’s Bromsgrove Schools Challenge. Last week’s superb A-Level results were testimony to plenty of hard work and commitment from Headington girls and their teachers — with 30 per cent of all passes at the new grade A*, A* grades for nearly two-thirds of the year group and a 100 per cent overall pass rates, these were results to be proud of.

At the time of writing, the school’s GCSE candidates are still counting down to their results day.

But life at Headington is about more than getting the right GCSE and A-Level grades.

To find out more about Headington School, the school’s admissions process and how to apply for means-tested bursaries of up to 100 per cent of fees, visit the website www.headington.org or go along to an open morning. The next event is on Thursday, October 7, from 10am to 12.30pm. Book your place online or call 01865 759861.