1584 founded

Co-ed

IB, A-Level, GCSE, 1 Year GCSE / Pre-IB

1040 students

50% boarders

17% international students

£ 17688 per term (circa)

Town

"Like runners, they pass on the torch of life"

Oakham School has a national reputation throughout the UK having been founded in 1584. The school is particularly admired for the excellence and commitment of its teaching staff and forward-looking Senior Management. A Level results are good and IB qualifications are among the best in the country. There is an exciting atmosphere within the school with pupils being tolerant, dynamic and cosmopolitan, the International students enhance this culture. Oakham School is known for its diversity having exceptionally good programmes in music, art, design and sport.

Top preparation for the IB qualification

Oakham School has a national reputation throughout the UK having been founded in 1584. The school is particularly admired for the excellence and commitment of its teaching staff and forward-looking Senior Management. A Level results are good and IB qualifications are among the best in the country. There is an exciting atmosphere within the school with pupils being tolerant, dynamic and cosmopolitan, the International students enhance this culture. Oakham School is known for its diversity having exceptionally good programmes in music, art, design and sport.

Oakham School is a leading fully co-educational boarding and day school for 10–18 year olds, at the heart of England, offering the IB.

Studying in the idyllic English countryside

The beautiful school campus is located in the idyllic town of Oakham. The town is over a 1000 years old, medieval alleyways, centuries-old buildings and a friendly neighbourhood characterise the life of the pupils outside the school campus. Oakham School is located close to Rutland Water Nature Park, a huge lake with walking and cycling paths. Sailing, birdwatching and climbing can all be enjoyed here, the nature park is well worth a visit from the school especially at weekends.

Oakham-School-boarding school-england-students

A flagship for a welcoming atmosphere

Everyone quickly feels at home at Oakham, the school has a welcoming and supportive atmosphere; pupils are open-minded, down-to-earth and quickly make friends with International pupils. Boarders are closely supervised by house parents, tutors and matrons supported by a superb new medical and wellbeing centre. There are 8 boarding houses, 4 boys and 4 girls for those aged 13-18, half of the school are boarders. Younger pupils share in rooms of two or three students whilst the majority of the older pupils are in single rooms. As expected, there is a rolling programme of investment in the boarding and teaching facilities with upgrades every year. Some boarders go home after sport on Saturdays, however Oakham has a large number of boarders over the weekend with an abundance of trips, dinners and socials on offer, it is an exciting place to be. Oakham is one of the very few boarding schools to have designated houses (boys and girls) for the final year pupils. This enables for more suitable expectations and responsibilities for those turning 18 whilst they work hard for their very final school exams. There is a genuine sense of camaraderie throughout the year as the whole house is applying and aiming to move on to various Univerisities throughout the world.

Oakham School is located at the heart of England, offering the IB.

Top-class sports

Oakham offers a wide range of top-class sporting coaching programmes. The range of sports is very impressive, pupils can choose from over 30 options. In addition to the sport for all philosophy Oakham continues to produce teams playing at the highest standard; many alumni have represented various national teams. In particular the school has had national success in rugby and hockey. Golf is also popular and the pupils play on one of the best courses in the country. The Sailing team, based on Rutland Water, has produced national and international winners.

Drama and Choirs

The School has its own theatre, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II. Several major productions are staged throughout the year, the Drama department has a high profile within the school. There are numerous choirs, orchestras and bands. The school’s Chamber Choir is highly decorated, it has been MACC Youth Choir Champions, a finalist in the Bernardo’s School Choir Competition in addition to being on the podium on several occasions in the BBC Songs of Praise Choir of the Year Competition.

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IB - Insights to the international qualification, including a 2024-23 and 2022-23 ranking of British IB boarding schools from our IB-expert Nigel Paddock

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Boarding schools in England offer more than top-tier education: They nurture talents in all areas. Olympians like Adam Peaty and Charlotte Stappenhorst are proof of what's achievable.

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