Cokethorpe School is an independent day school in Hardwick, West Oxfordshire, about 2.5 miles (4 km) south of Witney. It was founded in 1957 by Francis Brown. It is a member of HMC, IAPS, and The Society of Heads (formerly known as SHMIS). The school has approximately 660 students ranging in age from 4 to 18. The Prep School and the Senior School are on the same site.
At the heart of the school is an early 18th-century Grade II* listed Queen Anne style country house. The school is set in 150 acres (1 km2) of parkland, and there is also a chapel in the grounds. The tower of the chapel was virtually destroyed in a fire in 1994, but it has since been demolished and rebuilt. The grounds have a number of rugby/football pitches along with the recently built astro pitches. An expertly carved 'giant' peacock stands at the central crossroads within the school grounds, a symbol of the school.
The school has an outstanding recent sporting tradition with students playing national age group rugby (England under-16 and under-18) and also England women's hockey. The school also has numerous representatives in both regional and Oxfordshire rugby, football, cricket, hockey, athletics, and tennis. The school has also developed a reputation as a premier kayaking and sailing school, as well as for nurturing equestrian talents.
The school operates a house system, with houses called Harcourt, Gascoigne, Swift, Queen Anne, Vanbrugh, Lower House (Year 7) and Feilden. The houses compete in sports such as house rugby and football for boys; hockey and netball for girls; and in field and track events at the annual school sports day. There are also competitions in the arts, such as house music, drama, photography and art.
On-site is a theatre called The Shed, where drama productions, concerts and lectures are held. These can range from musicals to dance, even hip hop competitions.