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Scholarships & Bursaries
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Oakham School
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Oakham School
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Description: Oakham School
Chapel Close, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6DT
Telephone: 01572 758500
01572 758758 (Admissions)
Instagram: @oakhamschool
Motto: Quasi Cursores Vitai Lampada Tradunt
Open events: Saturday 8 March 2025, Saturday 17 May 2025, Saturday 27 September 2025
Key dates: Autumn term: Monday 2 September 2024 to Wednesday 11 December 2024
Half term: Saturday 19 October 2024 to Sunday 3 November 2024

Spring term: Monday 6 January 2025 to Friday 28 March 2025
Half term: Friday 14 February 2025 to Sunday 23 February 2025

Summer term: Tuesday 22 April 2025 to Saturday 28 June 2024
Half term: Saturday 24 May 2025 to Sunday 1 June 2025
Age Range: Senior to 18
Day or Boarding: Day, Weekly Boarding, Full Boarding
Gender: Co-ed
Exams offered: A Level, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, BTEC, GCSE, IGCSE
Scholarships Tick: Academic, All-Rounder, Art, Drama, DT, Music, Sport
Scholarships Other Types: Arkwright Engineering, Ogden Trust Science
Bursaries and discounts: New entrant bursary
Scholarships and bursaries – further details
The following scholarships/awards are available: Academic and Music (11+, 13+, 14+ and 16+), All-Rounder (13+, 14+), Art, Design and Technology, Drama and Sport (13+, 14+ and 16+).
Scholarship examination dates
11+ Music and Academic – 22 January – 3 February 2024
13+ Academic - 3 February 2024
13+ Music, Art & Design, Design & Technology, Drama, Sport, All-Rounder – 29 January to 2 February 2024
16+ Academic – 1 November 2023, Sport – 31 October – 9 November 2023, Design & Technology – 6 November 2023, Music, Art, Drama – 3 November 2023
For full information please ask our Director of Admissions, Mrs Anna Steiger, for the Oakham Scholarships & Bursaries booklet – Oakham School, Chapel Close, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6DT. Tel: 01572 758758 Email: admissions@oakham.rutland.sch.uk
 
The possibilities for learning really are limitless at Oakham School. As a large co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 11–18 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.
While 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’ wellbeing 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. While 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 200-seat theatre, a music school, and a new Medical and Pastoral Centre. 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.
Organisation and curriculum. Whether they are a day pupil or a boarder, pupils belong to a House and receive the same individual care from their Housemaster/Housemistress, Matron and Tutor. The enables them to thrive excel. 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.
Through Oakham's unique Connected Curriculum pupils develop their co-curricular and pastoral learning, alongside their academic studies, with a focus on learning transferable skills that will help prepare them for lifelong learning. The Lower School offers an exciting programme combining the full range of traditional subjects with the development of thinking, research, self-management, communication and social skills. In the Middle School, pupils can choose their GCSEs and IGCSEs from a comprehensive range of subjects. In the Upper School Oakham offers different pathways of study tailored to individual learning styles with 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, Dance, 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, 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 standalone 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, Sports 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 and Dance play an important part in the life of the School with four major theatre productions and four dance showcases each 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 and Adventurous Learning programme (over 125 on offer) and each week pupils follow an activity (or hobby) to pursue an existing passion or uncover a hidden talent. From Year 9 upwards, pupils take on a Service Option that includes DofE, the Combined Cadet Force, and an extensive volunteering programme.
Entry. Normal entry points are 11+, 13+/14+ 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+, 14+ and 16+), All-Rounder (13+, 14+), Art, Design and Technology, Drama and Sport (13+, 14+ 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 (from January 2025). Lower School (age 11–13): £13,878 (full boarding), £10,872–£13,290 (weekly boarding: 2 to 6 nights), £9,072 (day).
Middle and Upper Schools (age 13+): £17,688 (full boarding), £16,536 (weekly boarding: up to 6 nights), £10,512 (day).
Honours 2024. Overall 43% of all exams taken at A level, Pre-U, BTEC or in the IB Diploma were awarded A* or A or equivalent. 34 students achieved straight A* or A grades. At A level 70% gained A*–B grades or equivalent. In the IB Diploma, our average point score was 34.7, compared with the worldwide average of 30.3. Four students achieved 40 or more points (equivalent to 4 A*s at A level) and one pupil achieved a 44, out of a maximum of 45 points, putting them in the top 1% of students worldwide. At GCSE, 50% of pupils gained A*/A/9–7 grades. 88% of leavers are at the university of their choice. 12% have chosen a gap year of travel, volunteering, work experience and apprenticeships. The most popular university destinations were: Newcastle, Durham, Manchester, Northumbria, Exeter, Bristol, Nottingham, Oxford Brookes, Nottingham Trent, Edinburgh and Warwick. 14 students received offers for clinical courses, including Medicine and Vetinary Science. Nine pupils are now at overseas universities including IE Madrid, McGill and UBC (Canada), Fordham and Ohio (USA), Maastricht and Trinity College, Dublin.
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
The Rt Rev'd Bishop Debbie Sellin, Bishop of Peterborough
 
Co-optative:
David Allsop, BA Dipl Arch., RIBA
Peter Boddy, MBA, BA Hons
Dr Gareth Chidlow, MB, BS, MRCGP, DRCOG, PGDipENT
David F Crean, BSc
Mark Dorsett, FCIPD
Professor Neil T Gorman, DL, BVSc, PhD, DVSc, DVMS, DVM, DACVIM, Dip-ECVIM, FRCVS, FRSA
Dr Simon Hyde, MA, DPhil
Mrs Obi Jegede, LLB, LLM, GDip
Stephen Jones, MSc, MLitt
Natasha F Marshall, BA
Margaret Miles, BSc
Dr Joanne Palmer Philips, PhD
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: Qin Wiseman, BA
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Carly Latham, BEd
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: D Williams, BA
Senior Housemaster: T Dixon-Dale, BA
Director of Admissions and Marketing: Mrs H Pierce-McNeill
Director of Development and Engagement: Mrs S Rowntree
 
Heads of Department:
Activities: M J Powell, HND BSA
Biology: Dr P J Ingles, PhD
Business: Mrs L Urban, 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
French: Mrs J Dook, BA
Geography: H A Collison, BSc, MPhil
German: J Jordan, BA
History: J N J Roberts, MA
Learning Support: Dr E Stanley Isaac, BSc, PhD, NASENCo, PGCertv SpLD, AMBDA
Mathematics: K McDonald, BSc
Music: J Mountford, MA
Politics & International Relations: L Ward, BA
Physics: P Rola, MEng
Psychology: Miss C Findlay, BA, MEd
Religion and Philosophy: Mrs L Murdoch, BA
Spanish: C Pauls, MA
Sport: S May, MEd
Sports Science: S Woodward
 
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: M Sutterby, MEd
 
Middle School:
Barrow: A S Denman, BA
Buchanans: Miss L Aherne, MA
Chapmans: O Hughes, BA, MA
Clipsham: Mrs W Pound, MA
Gunthorpe: Mrs Lydia Dunbavand, BSc
Hambleton: Miss S Angove, MA
Haywoods: G Gelderbloom, HDE Dip RSA
Rushebrookes: Mrs K M Robinson, MA
Stevens: Mrs S Madden, BSc
Wharflands: T Dixon-Dale, BA
 
Upper School:
Round House: Mrs H J Cannie, BA
School House: A Ross, BSc, MA
Location

Oakham School
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