JOINING THE LOWER SCHOOL
WELCOME
This booklet will answer some of the questions you may have about what you can expect when you join Oakham’s Lower School.
Based on the most popular questions pupils ask, we have included information about where you will live and work, who is there to support you, what daily life is like and what kind of opportunities are on offer. We’ve also asked some of our current pupils for their advice and top tips.
Whether you are joining us as a day pupil or a boarder, it’s important to remember that everyone is starting out together on an exciting new journey and there are lots of people around you who are keen to help you make the most of your time in Oakham’s Lower School and be the best you can be.
I am looking forward to welcoming you.
David Williams Head of Lower School
To find out more about what life is like in Oakham’s Lower School, follow us online.
@oakhamschool
@oakhamlowerschool
@OakhamSchool
@Oakham School
oakham.rutland.sch.uk
WHAT MAKES OAKHAM’S LOWER
SCHOOL SPECIAL?
With over 125 years of experience guiding Year 7 and 8 pupils as they embark on their secondary education, there are many things that make our Lower School special.
Dedicated Lower School campus offering a safe home base in which to socialise and play.
Specialist Lower School pastoral staff provide individual care and support.
Our Year 7 and 8 curriculum provides an exciting range of subjects taught by subject specialists.
Adventure camps in Years 7 and 8 help pupils develop their leadership and teamwork skills.
Senior Pastoral Assistant Caroline Harmes
Our rich sporting programme and expert coaching offer children of all sporting levels the chance to compete and shine.
Small class sizes, tutor support and homework clubs ensure academic progress.
A wealth of activities to pursue existing passions and discover new talents.
Our dedicated Lower School art exhibitions, music ensembles, dance showcases, and annual full-scale drama production give pupils opportunities to unleash their creativity and perform in front of an audience.
Flexible support from our Day Houses and boarding facilities, seamlessly integrating with family life.
Opportunities for leadership through charity fundraising and leading your House as a Prefect.
WHERE WILL I BE BASED?
Our Lower School campus is filled with spaces to work or relax with your friends.
Our Lower School Houses have comfortable sofas, a widescreen TV, board games, table football, pool table, plus study areas and lockers for your games kit and books.
Out Back provides a large outdoor space in which to relax and play.
Your House is your home base throughout each day.
You come here in the morning and leave from here at the end of the school day, either to go home (if you are a day pupil) or to go to your evening home in Hodges, our Lower School Boarding House (if you are boarding).
Hodges boarding
Main School Campus1 min walk
THE MAIN SCHOOL CAMPUS
Sports hall, swimming pool and fitness centre
Design Technology
Science
Music
Barraclough Dining Hall
Drama
Computer Science
Smallbone Library
Sports pitches
Art
Year 7 classrooms in the heart of the School
HOW WILL I FIND MY WAY AROUND?
In your House there are lots of people to help you settle in. Your Housemaster or Housemistress can help you with any problem, large or small.
You will have a Tutor, who will help you get organised each day and make sure you keep on track with your work. We are lucky enough to have four Gap students who join us each year from Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, who help out around the Lower School. Plus the Year 8 Prefects can help answer any questions and if you feel unwell, the Senior Pastoral Assistant is always on hand.
There are two Induction Days before term starts, where you will have a tour of the School and your House and you can find all the main facilities.
We also organise lots of different events and social activities to
Your Tutor Year 8 Prefects The Senior Pastoral Assistant, Mrs Harmes
There are lots of people you can talk to if you need help.
The DecemUpper School Prefects The Gap Students The Teaching Staff Head of Lower School Mr Williams Your Housemaster or Housemistress Hodges Staff The Housekeeping Team Medical Centre Staff The Lower School Office Staff
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?
As Oakham is a busy boarding and day school, each day is packed with lessons and activities. Every day is slightly different, but you will soon get into the swing of things. Your Pupil Organiser will be your go-to guide for what happens when, but don’t be afraid to ask for help eitherno one expects you to know everything straight away!
WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE?
Pupils and staff alike love the food and there is a choice of healthy dishes at each lunchtime, including vegetarian options. There is always a variety of desserts on offeranything from fresh fruit to chocolate sponge and custard. Plus, there is a daily salad bar, sandwich bar, and pasta bar. Day pupils can also enjoy breakfast at School and stay for supper with us as well. We cater for all dietary requirements and the regular, themed supper nights and our weekly boarders' Sunday brunch are particular favourites.
“I was a bit nervous at first, but after the first week I got used to the school routine.”
FREDDIE
A TYPICAL WEEK IN THE LOWER SCHOOL
MONDAY TO SATURDAY MORNING
DAY PUPILS BOARDERS
7:30am
Extended Day pupils and Boarders go to the Barraclough Dining Hall for breakfast
8.35am
Tutorial/Chapel/Assembly
From 12.35pm Lunch and Roll Call
8.15am Roll Call and House meeting
9.15am-12.35pm Morning lessons
12.30pm Saturday morning lessons finish.
From 1.25pm Afternoon lessons
End of School day
This will vary depending on the day of the week, with pupils taking part in sporting fixtures and optional after school activities
From 4.15pm Day pupils go home
6.00pm Houses close Extended Day pupils and Boarders go to the Barraclough for supper
6.45 - 7.30pm
Extended Day pupils and Boarders do supervised prep in Hodges
7.30pm
Extended Day pupils go home
7.30 - 8.15pm
Boarders - Freetime, toast and hot chocolate. Time to phone home
8.15 - 9.15pm
Boarders - Time for shower, get changed and bedtime
HOW DOES BOARDING WORK?
Hodges is our Lower School Boarding House, based on our Jerwoods campus. You can choose to stay with us from 2 nights to 7 nights a week, to fit in around your family life. There are lots of spaces in Hodges for you to do your work, relax with your friends and, of course, sleep over!
Hodges offers a comfortable family atmosphere and there are regular boarder taster weekends and boarding events if you think that you would like to give boarding a try.
In addition to the separate boarding areas for boys and girls, there is a wide variety of communal areas where you can relax together with your friends: 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 games; and the Joint Common Room with its pool table and other games. There’s also Out Back for letting off steam.
A TYPICAL WEEKEND
• Saturday afternoon Lunch, followed by afternoon activity programme (swimming, music, art) and free time
• Saturday evening Supper and film/activities in Hodges
• Sunday morning Breakfast, supervised quiet time to do prep or read, free time
• Sunday afternoon Lunch, followed by an organised activity or trip, such as going to the cinema, bowling, or trampolining
• Sunday evening Supper, followed by tidy up, evening prayer and free time before bedtime
"The best bit about boarding is living with my friends. It's a bit like a sleepover every night."
"I really like the routine of boarding - how everything is organised and slots together."
FAITH
"I love movie night."
GEORGE
PRINCE
WHAT LESSONS WILL I HAVE?
In Form 1 (Year 7) you will have many of your lessons in our dedicated Year 7 classrooms in the heart of the campus. You will then use our specialist facilities for Science, Computer Science, Library lessons, Sport, Music, Drama, Art and Design Technology. You will also get to try out Latin, as well as enjoy taster lessons in German and Spanish.
In Form 2 (Year 8) you will have all your lessons in different parts of the wider School campus, as you get ready to move to the Middle School. You choose to study two languages from French, German and Spanish.
HOW MUCH PREP WILL I HAVE?
The amount of prep you get set will vary depending on your year group. Your Tutor will help you manage your prep timetable and help you keep on top of your work. You can also do your prep during the school day, as well as during after school prep sessions for Boarders and Extended Day pupils.
No prep is set on a Wednesday night, weekends (for Form 1 pupils), or over holidays, although you may be given a book to read over the holidays.
"The best thing about Oakham is that there is so much to do. There are so many opportunities, to help you find your passion."
FREDDIE
Weekly dance classes
Lower School charity bike ride and walk around
Sports Day is one of many hotly contested interhouse competitions
You can explore different types of Art in weekly activities sessions, as well as in your lessons
There are many opportunities to perform in concerts
Rutland Water
Form 1 Bushcraft Camp
House socials include pizza nights, sleepovers in House, and trips out to a restaurant or bowling
WHAT SPORTS, TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES ARE THERE?
As a large boarding and day school, there is always something exciting going on for our pupils, with a broad range of activities specifically aimed at our Year 7 and 8 pupils.
SPORT
With Games sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, plus sports sessions available as part of Thursday Activities, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stay active. Alongside core sports like rugby, hockey, netball, and cricket, you can try sailing, shooting, fives, and more. Plus after lessons finish, join our football and swimming clubs.
MUSIC, DRAMA AND DANCE
Outside of curriculum lessons, explore your creative side, with weekly 1:1 music lessons, LAMDA, and dance classes. Plus weekly Choir and Lower School ensemble rehearsals for regular informal and formal concerts, and take part in rehearsals for our full-scale Lower School drama production.
ACTIVITIES
On Thursday afternoons, choose from a range of activities like Art, jewellery design, cooking, chess, Science Club, selfdefence – there’s something for everyone!
TRIPS
Build lasting friendships and boost your learning beyond the classroom with our fun-filled events and trips! Year 7 kicks off with a Bushcraft Camp, followed by an Adventurous Learning Camp on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset towards the end of Year 8. Plus, enjoy House trips, socials, charity events and interhouse competitions each term – from bake sales to barbecues and bowling.
Hockey, rugby, netball and cricket are just a few of the sports on offer
Lower School ski trip to Italy
The annual Lower School Drama Production
“I am really looking forward to doing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award with my friends in the Middle School.”
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE LOWER SCHOOL?
At the end of Form 2 (Year 8) you will transition from the Lower School to the Middle School. Together with pupils who are completely new to the School, and the friends you've already made, you will join a Middle School House with older pupils aged 13-17.
This is the start of an exciting new chapter in your Oakham story and by then you will be ready to spread your wings even further and experience all that life in the Middle School has to offer.
JAMES
"I love Oakham School, because the lessons are really varied and interesting. Work hard in each subject and you get out of it what you put into it.”
ELODIE