Academic and sporting success

IT has been a great start to 2024 for The Oratory as it celebrates the launch of Ex Umbris, a new learning culture designed by the head, Dr Julian Murphy (DPhil Oxon).

The aim is to help every student develop good study skills, achieve great grades and be the best version of themselves that they can be, in line with the school’s motto “I am known; I am more”.

Last month, Matthew Fogg, deputy head pastoral, welcomed senior leaders from a wide range of prep schools for a discussion of how we can work collaboratively to raise young people. He went into detail on Ex Umbris, the success the school has had with the “girls on board” initiative to empower girls, and ways in which we can support the “working with boys” programme that aims to create cultures of mutual respect in school.

This term, the school has been busy hosting an array of academic and sporting events for local prep and primary schools from maths challenges to a debating day. Forthcoming events include girls’ and boys’ football tournaments in celebration of this month’s schools football week, the annual cross country and a British science week interactive lecture on renewable fuels.

Oratory science will also be hosting an international day of women and girls in science breakfast talk with formula woman 2022 champion Eliza Seville, racing driver and motorsport mechanic, as well as Anya Parry, Oratory School captain and A-level psychologist.

In drama, students have enjoyed enrichment trips to the Harry Potter play in London and Kafka’s Metamorphosis this month. Last term, they had the exciting opportunity to attend Dear England with Olivier award-winning sound designer and Old Oratorian, Tom Gibbon (OS 1997 to 2002).

Students are also busy rehearsing for their own production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! in March, which will be followed by The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in summer term. The school’s LAMDA results for 2023 saw all Oratory pupils awarded distinctions (12 in total) and where appropriate, UCAS points, with the majority taking their silver medal (grade seven exams) while preparing for their GCSEs. In sport, the Oratory hockey 1st XI team have become Berkshire schools’ league winners 2023 for the third consecutive year. Oratory football currently hold the top spot in four out of five of the central independent schools leagues after fixtures against Radley College and Wellington College.

Last weekend, Oratory rugby won Gordon School’s U16 invitational rugby sevens in a dramatic final against Brighton College, while Oratory racquets won the real tennis U16 National Schools doubles title.

The Oratory’s whole school open morning will take place on Saturday, March 2, where you can learn more about the school’s academic plans and meet the head, staff and pupils in person. Private show rounds are also available every day during term time.

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