WELCOME
Thank you for considering Oakham School for your son or daughter. This brochure will provide you with answers to many questions you may have about how to join Oakham School. However, there is no substitute for visiting us in person with your family to catch the vibrancy, friendliness and energy of the School.
In addition to individual visits, we hold two Open Events each year and our friendly Admissions team is always happy to help answer your questions. For the latest information and news about the School, visit our website www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk or follow us on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and LinkedIn.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family to Oakham School.
Anna Steiger Director of AdmissionsTo arrange an individual visit or join us for one of our Open Events:
T: +44 (0)1572 758758
E: admissions@oakham.rutland.sch.uk
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE
There are lots of different ways for you and your family to experience the fantastic learning opportunities and experiences available at Oakham School.
As a large boarding and day school with a community of over 1,000 boys and girls aged 10–18, we offer many different options for you to join us that fit in with modern family life.
Whether you are considering joining Oakham aged 10, 11, 13 or 16 – or anywhere in between – we can tailor your educational journey to suit you and your family. Oakhamians lead busy and active lives, so our day, weekly boarding and full boarding places enable us to provide an exceptional learning environment and wraparound care that offers peace of mind and flexibility to busy working families.
Pupils are self-aware, confident young people, fully prepared to be involved and supportive of one another as they live their daily lives together in boarding and as day pupils.”
ISI Inspection Report
OUR BOARDING AND DAY COMMUNITIES
The beauty of being such a large School with equal numbers of girls and boys, boarders and day pupils, is that both our boarding and our day communities are thriving, lively environments where you can make new friends and meet kindred spirits.
FULL BOARDING
• 9 vibrant Boarding House communities – 4 for girls, 4 for boys & 1 co-ed Junior Boarding House.
• Facilities on your doorstep.
• Busy weekends full of sport, activities and trips after Saturday morning lessons.
WEEKLY BOARDING
• Stay up to six nights with flexible options to suit your family.
• Flexi-boarding (2-5 nights) in the Lower School.
• Go home on Saturday after games and come back on Sunday evening or Monday morning. Or stay in at the weekend and go home during the week.
• No long tiring daily commutes.
• Enjoy quality time at home and at School.
DAY
• Enjoy all the opportunities provided by our boarding environment.
• Join the boarders for breakfast and stay for supper.
• 4 Lower School (10–12 years) Day Houses – 2 for girls and 2 for boys.
• 6 Middle/Upper School (13+ years) Day Houses – 3 for girls and 3 for boys.
WAYS TO EXPLORE THE SCHOOL
We highly recommend that you visit the School in person to get a feel for our wonderful, friendly atmosphere, and there are many ways that you can explore the School either physically or virtually.
OPEN EVENTS
We run two Open Events each year, to give families an opportunity to experience Oakham. These fun and friendly events allow visitors to tour Oakham School’s fantastic facilities, meet teaching and support staff and hear from current pupils about School life. Visitors will also hear from our Headmaster, have the opportunity to speak to our Admissions team and be able to take part in interactive demonstrations and activities around the School campus.
INDIVIDUAL VISITS
You and your family can also book a personal visit to the School. This will usually take place on a regular school day, allowing you to see first-hand what life at Oakham is like. In addition, visitors will be able to visit one of our Houses.
To book an Open Event or individual visit, please call +44 (0)1572 758758 or register your interest via our website on oakham.rutland.sch.uk/visiting-oakham
VIRTUAL TOUR
If you are unable to visit us in person, take a look at our website where you can take a virtual tour using our interactive campus map. There are also 360� photos of our campus and a wealth of videos showcasing our fantastic facilities.
For a daily taste of life at Oakham, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and check our news pages.
The original school building dating from 1584 is still in use today for drama performances
150 classrooms, studios and laboratories
A genuinely co-ed, forward-thinking, well run school Good Schools Guide
OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Our community of equal numbers of girls and boys, boarders and day pupils, living and working side by side, gives us our uniquely balanced and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Over 1,000 pupils
50% girls 50% boys
Lower School 10–13 years with around 180 pupils in total spread across Lower 1 (Year 6), Form 1 (Year 7), Form 2 (Year 8)
Middle School 13–16 years with around 450 pupils in total spread across Form 3 (Year 9), Form 4 (Year 10), Form 5 (Year 11)
Upper School 16+ years with around
400 pupils in total in Form 6 (Year 12) and Form 7 (Year 13)
50% day 50% boarding
360 members of teaching staff
Children travel locally, as well as from across the UK and around the world to join us as day pupils and boarders
19% of our community are international students and 38 different nationalities are represented by pupils in the School
280 members of support staff
BUS ROUTES
We operate eight bus routes to Oakham School, from Rothley, Long Bennington, Stamford, Easton on the Hill, Brampton Ash, Foxton, Hallaton, and Leicester, offeringconvenient collection points to and from School from Monday to Saturday.
For more information about fares and travel times please go to: oakham.rutland.sch.uk/admissions/ bus-routes
Dedicated School transport is available from Peterborough Train Station on a Sunday evening.
GADDESBY SOMERBY TWYFORD BURROUGH ON THE HILL LEICESTER ROTHLEY EMPINGHAM EASTON ON THE HILL TINWELL KETTON LONG BENNINGTON COLSTERWORTH GRANTHAM STAMFORDJOINING THE LOWER SCHOOL 10+/11+
BOARDING PUPILS
Boarders in the Lower School stay in the comfortable and homely surroundings of Hodges on the Jerwoods campus. Here they are cared for by the Head of Lower School Boarding, Tom Banham, and resident staff. This includes two Houseparents and two Resident Tutors. Jerwoods is also home to the Head of Lower School, James Cure, and his family. Together this resident team provides a strong and supportive network for our youngest boarders.
In addition to the separate boarding areas for the boys and the girls, Hodges provides a wide variety of communal areas where the children can relax together: the Kitchen for toast and hot chocolate and other snacks; the Snug for curling up in front of the TV and generally chilling out; the Studio for dancing and karaoke singing; and the Joint Common Room with its pool table and other games.
HOUSE LIFE
All pupils entering Oakham aged 10+/11+ join one of our four Lower School Houses:
Children can choose to board full time, or weekly, or stay from just two to five nights a week as flexible boarders with fees graded accordingly. Flexible boarders can also stay on nonboarding nights for prep, supper and activities until school bedtime.
Each House contains a mix of day pupils and boarders – around 50 in total – which helps children to integrate quickly into the School and socialise with one another.
All four Houses are situated on the separate Jerwoods campus and provide a homely haven in which our youngest pupils can live, work and play, within easy reach of the facilities and opportunities provided by the wider school campus.
Our boys’ and girls’ Houses are their home base throughout each day and there is a team of staff on hand to help care for them at all times. Each House is led by a Housemaster/Housemistress and his/her team of tutors. The Lower School Houses are also supported by four Gap students who join us from Australia and New Zealand each year and who act as an older brother or sister to the pupils and also a Day Matron who can deal with medical issues.
Each House is filled with spaces where pupils can do their work or relax with friends and home comforts such as sofas, a widescreen TV, board games, table football, table tennis, pool tables, and more. Each pupil has two lockers – one in which to store books and one for games kit in the changing rooms.
‘Out Back’ is a communal outside space where pupils in all four Houses can socialise together.
Whether a flexible, weekly, or a full boarder, your child will have the same facilities and routines while they are in School.
DAY PUPILS
Day pupils at Oakham are very much part of our 24/7 boarding environment and benefit from the same extensive programme of activities and opportunities as our boarders.
Pupils can opt to arrive for breakfast at 7.30am and stay on for supper and prep between 6.00 and 7.30pm if they need to be in School for evening and weekend events at no extra charge. This free service provides invaluable flexibility at the beginning and end of the school day to many families of day pupils.
Each house has its own spirit and sense of community, new boarders are welcomed and new friendships made”
ISI Inspection ReportAncaster (Girls) Lincoln (Girls) Peterborough (Boys) Sargants (Boys)
JOINING THE MIDDLE/UPPER SCHOOL
13+, 14+ AND 16+
HOUSE LIFE
All pupils entering Oakham aged 13+, 14+ and 16+ join one of our 10 Boarding and Day Houses situated in the heart of the School campus:
Buchanans (Girls boarding)
Chapmans (Boys boarding)
Rushebrookes (Girls boarding)
Haywoods (Boys boarding)
Stevens (Girls boarding)
Wharflands (Boys boarding)
Most study bedrooms are twins and for the oldest pupils single rooms are available.
After Saturday morning lessons there is a busy and varied weekend programme for boarders, including sport, social events, activities and visits to local attractions. Chapel on Sundays is also a cornerstone of life for full boarders.
Generally full boarders are expected to be in for weekends although, with the Housemaster or Housemistress’s permission, they are welcome to go out with their parents for Sunday lunch or for tea following a match on Saturdays. Each term there are regular times at home: Leave Out Weekends and the half-term Exeat.
Middle and Upper School Weekly Boarding
Our weekly boarding provision is an increasingly popular choice for families living near or further afield looking to strike the perfect school/home balance.
Pupils can choose to board up to six nights per week, going home after games on Saturday afternoon and returning on Sunday evening or Monday morning. Or they can choose to stay in at the weekend and go home one night during the week.
Gunthorpe (Girls day) Hambleton (Girls day) Barrow (Boys day) Clipsham (Boys day)
In Form 7 (Year 13) pupils move to their Final Year House – Round House for girls and School House for boys – where the whole year group enjoys the chance to spend their final year at School together in the oldest part of the campus, close to Oakham’s town centre.
No matter what year they are in or whether they are a boarder or day pupil, our boys’ and girls’ Houses are home to our pupils whilst they are at School and there is a team of staff on hand to help care for them at all times. Each House is led by a Housemaster/Housemistress and his/her team of Tutors. There is also a Matron who can deal with medical issues, as well as the Medical and Pastoral Centre which offers a dedicated space to promote well-being, as well as providing medical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
BOARDING PUPILS
Each of our Boarding Houses is also home to the Housemaster or Housemistress and their families, so the pupils are very much part of their extended family. The Housemaster or Housemistress is supported by two Resident Tutors, a Matron, and Tutors who do evening duties in House, in addition to their work with their tutor group.
Additionally, weekly boarders can stay for supper and prep any evening, not just when they are boarding. As with full boarders, we will take care of their laundry.
With valuable time not being taken out of a student’s week for travelling to and from School, this is invested back into their work, rest and play, meaning they are able to spend more time doing what they love.
DAY PUPILS
Day pupils at Oakham are very much part of our 24/7 boarding environment and benefit from the same extensive programme of activities and opportunities as our boarders.
Our Day Houses are open every day from 7.30am to 7.30pm, with staff on hand to help the pupils with their day-to-day needs. Pupils can opt to arrive for breakfast at 7.30am and stay on for supper if they need to be in School for evening and weekend events at no extra charge. This free service provides invaluable flexibility at the beginning and end of the school day to many families of day pupils.
The library is open until 9.15pm each evening, so pupils have the option to stay on at School after their Day House has closed if they wish to complete their prep at School.
TIMELINE FOR 2024 ENTRY
24 November 2023Registration deadline
December 2023
1 December 2023
9, 10, 11, 12 January 2024
Candidate’s school contacted for Head’s reference and most recent school report
Closing date for 11+ Music Scholarship, Performing Arts Award, and Sporting Talent Award entries
10+ and 11+ Assessment days (candidates only attend one day). We can arrange for candidates from overseas to sit the assessments abroad in their current school and have an online interview
24 November 2023Registration deadline
1 December 2023Closing date for 13+ Scholarship applications
18 and 19 January 2024 Assessment days (candidates only attend one day)
29 January 202413+ Sport Scholarship assessments
30 January 202413+ All-Rounder Scholarship assessments
31 January and 1 February 2024 13+ Music Scholarship Auditions* (candidates only attend one day)
1 February 202413+ Art Scholarship assessments*
Week commencing
22 January 2024 11+ Music Scholarship, Performing Arts Award and Sporting Talent Award assessments
3 February 2024 11+ Academic Scholarship assessments/interviews (for shortlisted candidates only)
February 2024Offers are made
March 2024Deadline for acceptance of offers
June 2024 Familiarisation Day
September 2024Induction Day
1 February 2024 13+ Design and Technology Scholarship assessments*
2 February 202413+ Drama Scholarship assessments*
3 February 2024 13+ Academic Scholarship assessments/interviews (for shortlisted candidates only)
February 2024Offers are made
March 2024Deadline for acceptance of offers
June 2024 Common Entrance
June 2024 Familiarisation Day
September 2024Induction Day
13 October 2023
17 November 2023
Through Winter Term until 17 November 2023
Registration deadline for 16+ Scholarship candidates and closing date for 16+ Scholarship entries
Registration deadline for non-scholarship applicants
16+ entrance interviews (in person during a visit or by Teams). Candidate’s school contacted for character reference and academic report indicating likely GCSE/IGCSE grades
2 November 202316+ Academic Scholarship assessments
31 October, 2, 7, 9 November 2023 16+ Sport Scholarship assessments (candidates attend one day only)
2 November 2023 16+ Design and Technology Scholarship assessments*
2 November 202316+ Art Scholarship assessments*
3 November 202316+ Drama Scholarship assessments*
3 November 202316+ Music Scholarship Auditions*
4, 11, 25 November 2023 16+ entrance assessments (candidates only sit assessment on one day. Scholarship candidates on two earlier dates.)
December 2023Offers are made
December 2023Deadline for acceptance of offers
September 2024 Induction Day
TERM DATES 2024 (PROVISIONAL)
Winter Term 2024
Term begins
Monday 9 Sept
Long Leave-out weekend Friday 27 SeptSunday 29 Sept
Half-Term Exeat Saturday 19 OctSunday 3 Nov
Long Leave-Out weekend Friday 22 NovSunday 24 Nov
Term ends Wednesday 18 Dec
Spring Term 2025
Term begins Monday 13 Jan
Long Leave-out weekend Friday 1 FebSunday 3 Feb
Half-Term Exeat Friday 15 FebSunday 23 Feb
Short Leave-out weekend Saturday 8 MarSunday 9 Mar
Term ends Friday 28 Mar
Summer Term 2025
Term begins Wednesday 23 Apr
Half-Term Exeat Saturday 24 May –Sunday 1 Jun
Term ends Saturday 5 Jul
Please note:
Applicants who live overseas can have an initial interview via Teams on the understanding that a visit will take place later. We require those whose first language is not English to take the School’s English language test. Please inform the Admissions team of any learning difficulties your child may have so that we can best cater for their needs.
Dates may change. Please speak to our Admissions team for the latest information.
* Early application is advised to allow time for preparation.
FINANCE AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
REGISTRATION
Registering your son or daughter indicates your firm interest in Oakham School. This does not imply any commitment on either side, but it does ensure we keep in touch with you, send you details of any special events, and let you know when you need to take further action. The registration fee is £150.
DEPOSIT
A deposit (£1,000 for applicants based in the UK, £4,000 for those in the EU and one term’s fees in advance for the rest of the world) confirms that Oakham is your first choice of school. At this time you can also indicate a preference for a House, if you have one. Whilst your child will usually join his or her preferred House, we cannot absolutely guarantee this. The deposit is refunded either at the end of the pupil’s final term, or if we are unable to offer a place (for example if admission standards are not reached). The deposit is forfeited if a place is offered but not accepted or in the event of non-payment of School fees.
FEES
Fees include such items as boarding and laundry charges, tuition, breakfast, lunch, and supper for all students, textbooks and the majority of options in the activities programme. A few variable expenses are charged as ‘extras’ on the School Account as necessary, such as trips and expeditions, clothing, external examination fees, individual Learning Support and additional books, together with certain optional extras such as individual music lessons.
FEES FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-24
Fees are updated annually in April for the next academic year.
PAYING THE FEES
Fees may be paid by bank transfer, cheque, or direct debit (four monthly payments per term).
We charge tuition and boarding fees termly in advance. Accounts are payable either on or before the first day of term, or by means of our direct debit scheme which splits the core fees for each term into four monthly instalments.
FEES IN ADVANCE
The School operates a scheme whereby a lump sum payment may be made to cover future day or boarding fees. The scheme is particularly attractive to higher rate taxpayers as, provided the proceeds are used to pay School fees, the discount gained on the capital sum is completely free of tax.
You can download full information and an application form, or email the Finance Bursar: financebursar@oakham.rutland.sch.uk for a personalised quotation. In all cases extras are charged termly.
DISCOUNTS
For siblings:
We offer a 10% discount against the day fee for the second and subsequent siblings to attend the School at the same time.
NEW Forces Bursary for children of HM Armed Forces and Government Service personnel:
If your family is entitled to receive the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) from the Ministry of Defence, the Oakham School Forces Bursary will reduce the fees for boarding to the full CEA rate + 10% of the allowance.
For more information about the Oakham School Forces Bursary, please visit oakham.rutland.sch.uk/admissions/forces-families
FCDO staff and Civil Service members eligible for UK government support for their children’s education may be eligible for special bursary support.
For more information, please contact Anna Steiger, Director of Admissions, admissions@oakham.rutland.sch.uk
VISAS
Any pupil who does not hold a British passport who wishes to study in the UK must have a visa to do so. Further information about Child Student Visas can be found at www.gov.uk/childstudy-visa.
All prospective international students, including those from Europe, will need to apply through the Child Student Visa route before coming to study in the UK. For help with visa applications, please contact the Admissions team.
PARENT CONTRACT
The Parent Contract, which we send to new parents when making the offer of a place, contains Oakham School’s full Terms and Conditions.
For more information, contact our Bursary by emailing: financebursar@oakham.rutland.sch.uk
SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES
We welcome applications from candidates at 11+, 13+ and 16+ for a range of scholarships that recognise academic, all-round, creative, or sporting potential and excellence.
There are two types of scholarship available: those that carry a small fee reduction and honorary awards. Additional financial support is available through means-tested bursaries and UK-based candidates can apply for both a scholarship and a bursary.
In awarding scholarships, we seek boys and girls who wish to be Scholars in the broadest sense; extending themselves and enriching the community. Oakham has a long tradition of recognising and nurturing pupils with potential and drive in a variety of fields. In addition to developing their particular skills, we hope that an Oakham Scholar will act as a role model and inspiration to those around them. Teamwork and leadership are intrinsic to our expectations, together with an ongoing commitment to improvement.
We see scholarships as a recognition of excellence, not as a means to allay financial need, but the School is determined to allow access wherever possible to the benefits of an Oakham education. Our bursaries are means-tested and aimed at ensuring that we continue not only to stay true to our charitable purposes, but also to allow life-changing opportunities when our funds allow. Our scholarships therefore carry a limited fee remission, with an option to apply for additional bursary funds thereafter.
ARKWRIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SIXTH FORM ENTRANTS
Oakham is affiliated with the Arkwright Scholarships Trust, a national award scheme for pupils wishing to study Design and Technology and/or Maths at an advanced level.
A detailed information booklet on Scholarships and Bursaries is available by visiting oakham.rutland.sch.uk/admissions/ scholarships-and-bursaries
Please contact our Admissions team for further information on:
T: +44 (0)1572 758758
E: admissions@oakham.rutland.sch.uk
Pupils’ success in external academic competitions, in sport and music and in the creative and aesthetic arts is excellent.”
ISI Inspection Report
Major roads and motorways
Major trainlines
HOW TO FIND US
Oakham School is located in the heart of safe rural England, in the historic market town of Oakham, Rutland.
AIR TRAVEL
1.5 hours: Birmingham, Luton and London Stansted airports
2.5 hours: Heathrow
3 hours: Gatwick
BY RAILOakham’s train station is a 5-minute walk from the School campus with direct trains to Birmingham, Leicester, Peterborough and Stansted Airport. There is a direct train from Peterborough train station to Gatwick Airport.
BY ROAD
All the routes below lead you into Oakham to Market Street. From Market Street, bear left onto the cobblestones with the Buttercross on your right. The Oakham School gates leading to the Main School Reception in Chapel Close are straight ahead.
OPEN EVENTS
Visitors should park at Schanschieffs Main School Car Park (Follow postcode: LE15 6QG ).
INDIVIDUAL VISITS
10+/11+ visitors should park at Oakham’s Lower School Reception (Follow postcode: LE15 6DJ ).
13+/14+/16+ visitors should park at Oakham’s Main School Reception at Chapel Close (Follow postcode: LE15 6DT ).