WHAT IS DAILY LIFE LIKE FOR A BOARDER?
Each 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 – no one expects you to know everything straight away!
WHERE DO WE EAT OUR MEALS?
Everyone eats together in the Barraclough Dining Hall for breakfast, lunch and supper, which means you can socialise with your friends in other Houses at different points throughout the day.
WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE?
Pupils and staff alike love the food and there is a choice of healthy dishes at each mealtime, including vegetarian options. We cater for all dietary requirements and the regular themed supper nights and our weekly Sunday brunch are particular favourites amongst the boarders.
A BOARDER: A TYPICAL WEEK
MONDAY TO SATURDAY MORNING
From 1.25pm Lunch and Roll Call
TUESDAY AND THURSDAY
7.30am Breakfast 2.20pm Afternoon sport 2.20pm Afternoon lessons
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY
6.00pm Early Prep 6.25pm Supper 6.40pm Supper 7.25pm Evening Roll Call 7.25pm Evening Roll Call
7.30pm-9.00pm Prep
9.30pm onwards
Bedtimes at staggered intervals depending on year groups 4.30pm Free time/Town time/ Supported studies/ Ensemble practice/ Drama rehearsals 4.30pm Wednesday – Lessons continue Monday and Friday – Activities 8.35am Tutorial/Chapel/Assembly 8.15am Roll Call and House meeting 9.15am-1.25pm Morning lessons
7.30pm-9.00pm Prep (homework)
Bedtimes at staggered intervals depending on year groups 9.30pm onwards
SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND SUNDAY These will vary depending on whether you are a full or weekly boarder but typically:
Saturday afternoon Sports matches 6.25pm Supper - Evening activities Sunday Chapel, free time, activities/trips
WHAT IS DAILY LIFE LIKE FOR A DAY PUPIL?
As Oakham is a busy boarding and day school, each day is packed with lessons and activities. Your Pupil Organiser will be your go-to guide for what happens when, but don’t be afraid to ask for help – no one expects you to know everything straight away!
WHAT TIME DOES MY HOUSE OPEN AND CLOSE EACH DAY?
Day Houses are open from 7.30am to 7.30pm, so you can arrive in time for breakfast and stay for supper at no additional charge if you have an evening activity or need to get some prep done. The library is open until 9.15pm most evenings, so you can continue working there if you would like to.
WHAT HAPPENS AT BREAKTIME AND LUNCHTIME?
When not in lessons or activities you can work and relax in your House. Lunch and all other meals are served in the Barraclough Dining Hall. There is a choice of healthy dishes, including vegetarian options.
At lunchtime 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. We cater for all dietary requirements.
DAY PUPIL: A TYPICAL WEEK
MONDAY TO SATURDAY MORNING
7.30am
House opens (early arrivals go to the Barraclough for breakfast)
8.35–8.55am Tutorials/Assemblies/Chapel
From 1.25pm
Lunch and Roll Call
TUESDAY AND THURSDAY
2.20pm Afternoon sport
4.00pm
BUS ROUTES
We operate nine bus routes to Oakham School, from Rothley, Nottingham, Long Bennington, Stamford, Easton on the Hill, Brampton Ash, Foxton, Hallaton, and Leicester, offering convenient 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.
8.15am
Roll call and House meeting
9.15am–1.25pm Morning lessons
4.30pm
Supported studies/ Ensemble practice/ Drama rehearsals
6.00–7.30pm
House open for pupils to do prep; pupils staying for supper go to the Barraclough
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY
2.20pm onwards
Afternoon lessons
4.30pm Monday and Friday – Activities
4.45pm End of school on Wednesday
5.50pm
End of school on Monday and Friday
6.00–7.30pm
House open for pupils to do prep; pupils staying for supper go to the Barraclough
7.30pm
House closes; pupils can go to the library to continue their work until the library closes at 9.15pm
SATURDAY AFTERNOON 12.30pm End of lessons; pupils who are playing in afternoon sporting fixtures go to the Barraclough for lunch
Dance, Textiles, Computer Science, and Greek are some of the amazing 26 GCSE options we offer.
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL I STUDY?
In the Middle School we give you a broad and balanced education to inspire you to try new things, to develop skills and knowledge in a variety of subjects and to achieve great results in your GCSEs.
In Form 3 (Year 9) you will be taught all the subjects you would expect to see – English, Maths, Science, etc – but in addition we offer different languages, including Latin, plus you get to try different aspects of Art, Design Technology, Drama and Dance, and PE. You will also have Pastoral Curriculum lessons as part of the weekly timetable that teach you how to look after your physical and emotional wellbeing and help you learn to be a responsible citizen.
The Form 3 Project gives you a chance to apply your knowledge and skills outside the classroom through a wide variety of experiences, including a visit to the First World War battlefields in France, a musical performance, a library-led independent research project, and a summer activity camp.
WHAT GCSE OPTIONS ARE THERE?
Halfway through Form 3 you will make your GCSE subject choices. Your teachers, Tutor and Housemaster or Housemistress will help and advise you through this process to play to your strengths and academic ambitions.
As well as continuing with some familiar subjects, there are some new options on offer: Textiles, 3D Design, Citizenship, Classical Civilisation, Dance NEW , Greek, and Latin.
Most pupils study nine subjects at GCSE. This gives you a good mix of subjects and keeps your options open for your post-16 studies.
HOW MUCH PREP (HOMEWORK) WILL I HAVE?
The amount of Prep you get set will vary depending on your year group. You will receive a Prep timetable at the start of the year to help you keep on top of your work.
You can also do your Prep during the school day, as well as during Supported Study sessions and Prep times for boarders. The main thing is to be organised with your work and don’t be afraid to ask for help – there are lots of people who can help you manage your workload.
For more details on GCSE courses, see the GCSE Choices Guide on the school website.
“Balancing academic, co-curricular and pastoral learning, the newly launched Connected Curriculum helps prepare students not just for exams, but to rise to the challenges they will encounter later in life.”
TATLER SCHOOLS GUIDE 2025
WHAT SPORTS, ACTIVITIES AND TRIPS ARE THERE?
There are lots of different sports and activities on offer at Oakham School, taking place as part of the daily timetable. We have Games sessions and fixtures on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday afternoons and Activities sessions on Friday afternoons.
In addition to the core sports of rugby, hockey, netball, athletics, tennis and cricket, there are all sorts of different sports you can try, such as sailing, shooting and fives.
As well as pursuing your favourite activities in greater depth, there is a huge variety of new activities to try, such as jewellery design, life-saving, and Warhammer.
Outside of Music and Drama and Dance lessons, there are weekly 1:1 music lessons, music ensemble rehearsals, and regular informal and formal concerts, plus there are regular rehearsals for the many different drama productions and weekly dance classes.
and
Dance Classes
The Form 3 Battlefields trip to northern France
House Social in the House garden
The annual Tom Grant Interhouse Football Competition
As well as weekly music lessons and ensemble rehearsals, there are regular informal and formal concerts
Middle and Upper School Ski Trip
House outings include trips to Rutland Aqua Park, the cinema, bowling, trampolining, paintballing ...
many more!
There are many opportunities to perform on stage, including the Middle School Production
Archery at the annual Form 3 Camp
Sports Day is one of many hotly contested interhouse competitions
“CCF is one of the best environments you could immerse yourself in if you want to become a better leader and more organised person”
WHEN WILL I START D of E, CCF AND VA?
Form 3 pupils enjoy a carousel of activities and experiences relating to our three Service Options - the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme (DofE), the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), and Voluntary Action (VA) - across all three terms. At the end of the year, you also experience an expedition, which can count as your Bronze DofE Expedition.
From Form 4 pupils have the flexibility to choose to do all three Service Options during their weekly Activities sessions. Alternatively you can choose to do one Service option alongside a weekly activity.
D of E
Expeditions, volunteering and skills development
• Bronze - Canoeing, Cycling and Walking
• Silver - Canoeing, Cycling and Walking
• Gold - Sailing, Cycling and Walking
CCF
Army and RAF Sections
• Adventurous training
• Fieldcraft and parades
• Flying VA
Helping all members of our local community
Recent activities include:
• Hosting the Annual Harvest Party for members of our elderly community
• Renovating local gardens and communal areas
• Running an activity day for children with additional needs
CHLOE
DofE Walking
D of E Canoeing
Hosting the annual Harvest Party for members of our elderly community
CCF Flying
