Oakham School

Founded in 1584, Oakham School is a boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 10–18, located in the heart of rural England. The first independent school to go co-educational in 1971, it continues this tradition today with an even split of girls and boys (551 boys, 507 girls) and a 50:50 ratio of boarders to day pupils. Situated within the historic market town of Oakham, the School’s rural setting is balanced by being only 30 minutes by road from Peterborough, and from there under an hour by train to London.

Friendly and unpretentious, Oakham achieves impressive academic results at A-level and GCSE and we are one of the UK's Top IB schools. Our strength lies in challenging every individual to exceed his or her expectations through encouragement, pastoral support and a diversity of opportunity. Our Learning Habits at Oakham initiative develops lifelong learning skills and underpins all our teaching. Every pupil is valued and motivated to work hard.

This academic excellence is achieved thanks to the School’s exceptional pastoral care – it received the ‘Great Pastoral Care’ award in The Week’s Independent Schools Guide in 2016. Our House system is central to daily life: all pupils belong to one of the 10 Boarding Houses or 6 Day Houses, so each individual has a place to call ‘home’.

Each House has a caring and experienced team of adults, who are always on hand to deal with the day-to-day issues that arise for the pupils in their care. A personal tutor supports each student and small tutorial groups meet regularly. Boarding Housemasters and Housemistresses live in the Boarding Houses with their own families, supported by two Resident Tutors and a Matron. House life is vibrant with lots of activities and interhouse competitions and provides a place of security, support and friendship for all pupils.

Academic facilities include a new Social Sciences Faculty, new Science and Design Technology centres, an art and design centre, an art gallery, one of the finest school libraries in the country, a theatre and a music school.

We have national reputations in Sport and Music. Drama and the Arts flourish. Our extensive activities programme includes Voluntary Action both locally and overseas. Oakhamians are warm and approachable but confident and determined young people.

One of only a few schools in the UK that offers the choice between the International Baccalaureate Diploma and A-levels in the Sixth Form, students achieve consistently outstanding results whichever pathway they choose. The School received the Career Mark Award in 2015 for its exceptional careers advice and guidance with university applications. The majority of students go on to top universities in the UK, Europe and the USA.

A spirit of energy and innovation shapes life at Oakham. Exposed to a wealth of opportunities and challenged to excel, students leave the School independent of mind and well equipped to face the future with confidence, enthusiasm and a lifelong appetite for learning.