The possibilities for learning really are limitless at Oakham School. As a large co-educational boarding and day school with over 1,000 pupils aged 10–18 and a 50:50 split of boys and girls and boarders and day pupils, we are proud to be able to offer a truly staggering range of experiences, activities and opportunities.
Whilst academic excellence lies at the heart of everything we do, our focus goes far beyond helping our students to achieve outstanding examination results. The Arts flourish and we have an enviable reputation for excellent coaching in a variety of sports. Activities are also an integral part of life beyond the classroom.
Oakham School is an exceptionally caring community. Our unique House structure ensures we nurture all aspects of our pupils’ well-being throughout their Oakham journey; students are surrounded by staff who are expertly trained to both support their needs and to challenge them to become independent, thoughtful, and responsible young adults.
Oakham is well known and loved for being a friendly and unpretentious school. Whilst we are proud of our 400-year heritage, our priority is always to be at the forefront of educational developments. We were one of the first independent schools to move to co-education in 1971 and we were also one of the first schools to introduce the IB Diploma, alongside A Levels. We continue to look to the future and our focus now, in today’s digital world, is on effectively teaching students Information Literacy.
Facilities. Oakham’s facilities include one of the best school libraries in the country, state-of-the-art Science and Design Technology facilities, an art gallery, a new Faculty of Social Sciences, a theatre, and a music school. The sports facilities are extensive with 40 acres of superbly maintained fields, all-weather pitches for hockey and tennis, a recently refurbished sports complex with an indoor swimming pool, squash courts, fives courts and fitness centre, and access to nearby Rutland Water for sailing and Luffenham Heath for golf. A new Medical and Pastoral Centre opened in 2017.
Organisation and Curriculum. Oakham has 16 houses: four in the Lower School (ages 10–13), 10 in the Middle/Upper School (ages 13–17), and two houses for final year girls and boys, where they can concentrate more closely on their studies and enjoy increased freedom in preparation for university. The Housemaster or Housemistress is responsible for pastoral support. Each pupil has a tutor, who is responsible for pupils’ personal and academic development, and for keeping a balance between academic, creative and social activities.
The curriculum is tailored so that an education at Oakham develops the potential of all our pupils, opening up academic and commercial opportunities around the world. The Lower School offers a unique and exciting programme combining the full range of traditional subjects with the development of essential learning habits. In the Middle School, pupils can choose their GCSEs and IGCSEs from a comprehensive range of subjects. In the Upper School Oakham is unusual in offering a choice between A Levels and BTECs or the highly-regarded IB Diploma Programme.
GCSE/IGCSE: All pupils take English Language, English Literature, Dual-Award Science (which comprises Biology, Chemistry and Physics), with the possibility of studying separate Sciences, and Mathematics. They also choose from History, Geography, Religion and Philosophy, French, Spanish, German, Drama or Music and a variety of Creative Arts subjects (Fine Art – Painting and Mixed Media, Textile Design or Sculpture, Design Technology or Electronics). Other options include: Citizenship Studies, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Creative iMedia, Greek, Latin and Physical Education. We expose pupils to a rich cultural environment, providing an exciting programme of projects and visits to enhance learning beyond the classroom and the exam syllabus.
16+: Upper School pupils may opt either for A Levels and equivalent stand-alone qualifications or the International Baccalaureate Diploma. A Level subjects on offer include: Art: Critical and Contextual Studies, Art and Design, Biology, Business (A Level and BTEC), Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Design Technology, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, German, Classical Greek, History, Latin, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Spanish, Sport Science (A Level and BTEC). The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme offers a similar range, but students study six subjects: three subjects are studied at Higher Level and three at Standard Level. Additionally, all students take the three Core Elements of the Diploma: Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and a programme of Creativity, Activity and Service.
Music. Around half of all pupils play in musical ensembles, choirs, bands, orchestras, and musical theatre productions. Over 80 concerts each year present a wide variety of performing opportunities both in and out of School, as well as international tours. Pupils are regularly selected for national youth ensembles and the School Chamber Choir has a national reputation for excellence.
Drama plays an important part in the life of the School with five major productions each year. A majority of pupils at all levels takes part in at least one dramatic production a year.
Art, Design and Technology. The Richard Bull Centre and the state-of-the-art Jerwood School of Design together offer an extensive array of creative and Design Technology opportunities, including painting, pottery, sculpture, textiles, print-making, photography, computer-aided design and electronics, working in wood, metal and plastics. Pupils regularly compete for and win nationally recognised awards and scholarships, such as the Arkwright Scholarship.
Sport and Activities. Our major sports are rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, netball and tennis. Some 30 other sports options are also offered. A typical year will see over 100 pupils progress to the national finals in 10 different sports. Oakham is proud to be a well-recognised training ground for national squads.
We offer a comprehensive activities programme (over 125 on offer) and each week pupils follow an activity (or hobby) and, from the Middle School upwards, a Service Option. They can try something new or pursue an existing passion. Our Service Options develop skills and values for life. Pupils choose from an extensive volunteering programme, the Combined Cadet Force or the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Entry. Normal entry points are 10+, 11+, 13+ and 16+. Pupils are accepted mainly in September at the start of the academic year. Full admissions information is available from the Director of Admissions.
Scholarships and Bursaries. The following scholarships/awards are available: Academic and Music (11+, 13+ and 16+), Performing Arts and Sporting Talent Awards (11+), All-Rounder (13+), Art, Design and Technology, Drama and Sport (13+ and 16+). The basic value of a scholarship/award is up to 10% and top-up means-tested support may be available. For further information, including bursaries, please request an information booklet from the Director of Admissions, Tel: 01572 758758.
Fees per term (2023–2024). Lower School (age 10–13): £10,500–£11,485 (full boarding), £8,225–£11,000 (weekly boarding: 2 to 6 nights), £6,845–£7,510 (day).
Middle and Upper Schools (age 13+): £14,635 (full boarding), £13,685 (weekly boarding: up to 6 nights), £8,700 (day).
Honours 2023. Overall 42% of all exams taken at A Level, Pre-U, BTEC or in the IB Diploma were awarded A* or A or equivalent. At A Level 68% gained A*–B grades or equivalent. Five pupils scored 100% in Art and two got 100% in Critical & Contextual Studies. In the IB Diploma, our average point score was 34.5, compared with the worldwide average of 30. 15% of pupils achieved 40 or more points (equivalent to 4 A*s at A Level) and one pupil achieved a perfect score of 45 points. At GCSE, 49% of pupils gained A*/A/9–7 grades. Eleven pupils left to study at ‘Loxbridge’ universities and 21 pupils are now at overseas universities. Six leavers are now on clinical courses and 12 are following specialist art and design courses.
Charitable status. Oakham School is a Registered Charity, number 1131425, and a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England and Wales, number 06924216. Registered Office: Chapel Close, Market Place, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6DT. It exists for the purpose of education.
Governors & Staff:
Trustees:
Chairman: Professor Neil T Gorman, DL, BVSc, PhD, DVSc, DVM, DACVIM, Dip-ECVIM, FRCVS, FRSA
Ex officio:
The Lord Lieutenant for Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness, PhD
The Very Revd Christopher Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough
Co-optative:
David Allsop, BA Dipl Arch. RIBA
Professor Philip Baker, BMedSci, BM, BS, DM, FRCOG, FRCSC, FRANZCOG, FMedSci
Peter Boddy, MBA, BA Hons
David F Crean, BSc
Mark Dorsett, FCIPD
Professor Neil T Gorman, DL, BVSc, PhD, DVSc, DVMS, DVM, DACVIM, Dip-ECVIM, FRCVS, FRSA
Julia H Grundy
Dr Simon Hyde, MA, DPhil
Mrs Obi Jegede, LLB, LLM, GDip
Stephen Jones, MSc, MLitt
Natasha F Marshall, BA
Margaret Miles, BSc
Josephine Osborne, BA Hons, LLM
Rashmi Patel, BA Hons, Grad IPD
Roger Summerton, FCA
Stephen Woolfe, LLB
Headmaster: Henry Price, MA Oxon
Chief Operating Officer: William Hawkes, BA
Senior Deputy Head: Arthur Mayhew, MSc
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Mrs S J Gomm, BSc
Deputy Head (Academic): Dr Leo Dudin, PhD
Deputy Head (Co-curriculum): James Robinson, BA
Senior Members of Staff:
Head of Upper School: Mrs M Fairley, BA
Head of Middle School: N Favill, BA
Head of Lower School: J Cure, BA
Senior Housemaster: T Dixon-Dale, BA
Director of Admissions: Mrs A Steiger
Director of External Relations: Mrs S Rowntree
Heads of Department:
Activities: M J Powell, HND BSA
Biology: Dr P J Ingles PhD
Business: Mrs S D Donlevy, BA
Careers: Dr R Pearson, RCDP
Chemistry: Mrs J E Griffiths, MChem
Citizenship: Miss V Lamb, BEd
Classics: Dr W G Leveritt, BA, MPhil
Computer Science: Mrs N Deacon, BSc
Creative Arts: Ms E Brass, MA
Drama: Mrs G Norell, BA
Economics: Mr S J Janes, BA
English: Dr E Reddy, MA, PhD
Geography: H A Collison, BSc, MPhil
History: J N J Roberts, MA
Languages: E J Milner, MA
Learning Support: Dr E Stanley Isaac, BSc, PhD, NASENCo, PGCertv SpLD, AMBDA
Mathematics: M J H Coman, BSc (Acting)
Music: P Davis, MA, ARCO
Politics & International Relations: L Ward, BA
Physics: TBC
Psychology: Miss C Findlay, BA, MEd
Religion and Philosophy: Mrs K Brett, BA
Sport: Dr I Simpson, BSc, Med, DProf
Chaplain: The Revd T F Tregunno, MTh
Housemasters/Housemistresses:
Lower School:
Ancaster: Mrs K Gibbons, BSc
Lincoln: Mrs W Singhal, BSc
Peterborough: M M Fairweather, MA
Sargants: D Williams, BA
Middle School:
Barrow: A S Denman, BA
Buchanans: Miss L Aherne, MA
Chapmans: O Hughes, BA, MA
Clipsham: S Dachtler, BA
Gunthorpe: Mrs Lydia Dunbavand, BSc
Hambleton: Miss S Angove, MA
Haywoods: G Gelderbloom, HDE Dip RSA
Rushebrookes: Mrs K M Robinson, MA
Stevens: Mrs E Roe, BEng
Wharflands: T Dixon-Dale, BA
Upper School:
Round House: Mrs H J Cannie, BA
School House: A Ross, BSc, MA