Stephen Anidjah is the proud parent of three children who went to The Oratory School. His family’s first impressions were that this was a smaller school with a big facilities sort of feel about it. Now as he looks back at the years, he is filled with “a great sense of achievement and pride.” All three children are growing up into fine young adults.
Founded in 1859 by Saint John Henry Newman, The Oratory School is an independent Catholic boarding and day school for girls and boys aged 11 to 18. While its values are long established, its outlook remains open and relevant. Academic progress and personal growth are treated as equally important, shaping an education that feels balanced and purposeful.
That philosophy is reflected most clearly in the boarding experience, described as one with “gold standard pastoral care” by The Good Schools Guide.
From the moment they arrive, The Oratory School offers a multi-layer, comprehensive support system to each student. Source: The Oratory School
Across seven days and 24 hours in a day, there is wrap-around care. Supervised by outstanding Housemasters and Housemothers, each house works like a family, with many staff living on-site and sharing meals, activities, and informal moments outside the classroom.
“What I love most about The Oratory is the family feel that it has as a school,” says Anidjah. “That’s aligned very well with all of my children, and they’re all the better for it.”
Achievement is recognised, but so are kindness, responsibility, and self-awareness. The school has a resident Chaplain and a qualified School Counsellor, and staff are trained to support teenagers with the range of challenges they face today. Housemasters also meet weekly with the Deputy Head to discuss individual needs, ensuring ongoing monitoring of not just academic progress, but emotional well-being and general happiness as well.
This approach was what led another parent Nikki Derbyshire to choose The Oratory for her three children. “The vibe, the ethos we get from this school, is that it is a lovely all-rounder school,” she says. “They turn out young, kind gentlemen and ladies — and they influence people, but in a quiet, rather jolly, lovely way.”
An Oratory education helps students discover their talents while inspiring joy and a passion for learning. Source: The Oratory School
Why students love The Oratory School
Set within 100 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, this nurturing home-like environment offers space to think, move, and connect. Students come together through shared routines and activities. Trips to laser parks, theme parks, and aqua parks, turn housemates into friends for life.
And from the moment they arrive, whether as boarders or day students, they are seen, known, and supported. Despite being several thousand kilometres from home, Uti, originally from South Africa, quickly felt like he belonged. “Moving all the way from home was quite stressful, but I think I settled in quite quickly,” he says. “I don’t think there’s anything to be scared of, especially at a school like this, where the community is so closely knit.”
Both day and boarding students have houses, giving them yet another and almost immediate way to bond. Older students become older siblings who guide more junior members and look out for them. Each student has a personal tutor who supports both academic and personal well-being as well.
Weekends and evenings are filled with even more opportunities that help students relax, bond, and recharge. As the school recognises the potential effects of constant connection to technology, it encourages students to find stillness. Staff and teachers promote meditation, reflection and feeling gratitude as important life skills.
It’s a great balance to all the rigorous learning and fun activities that take place here. “The school arranges activities every Sunday,” Uti says. “In two weeks’ time, after half-term, we’re going to a water park, and other times we might do paintballing. There is always something on at the weekends, and on Saturdays they organise quiz nights, bingo, or arcade games.”
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