Independent Schools March 2019

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Newbury Weekly News

The Oratory School

THE Oratory has announced that from September 2020, it will become a coeducational school, welcoming girls and boys from the age of 11 to 18. The Oratory is an HMC Catholic day and boarding school set in the beautiful Chiltern countryside. Headmaster Joe Smith said: “We are delighted to be making this announcement and excited to be able to offer families of girls and boys alike our unique Oratory education.” Teaching is second to none at The Oratory and the value added results at A-level place it in the top three per cent of schools nationally. They are proud of their broad and rich curriculum and strong exam results, however an Oratory education is about developing young people in a much deeper sense than exam results alone can demonstrate. “There is ‘something deeper’ in an Oratory education – hard to define but undeniable – by virtue of its unique ethos and history as the only school founded by arguably the greatest educational thinker of the Victorian age, Blessed John Henry Newman,” said Joe Smith. An Oratory education gives young people every opportunity to draw out and find their individual innate talents and qualities and instils in them a sense of joy and a genuine love of learning. At The Oratory everyone will find their place to shine. Strong pastoral care is at the heart of what they do. As a Catholic school which welcomes pupils of

The Oratory Preparatory School

self-discovery of the children. This includes Forest School from the age of two, science experiments in the Woodlands, art classes in the gardens and outdoor musical productions. majority of children achieving distinctions. This tells the story of further personal growth and character building among pupils. The school’s outstanding facilities, including the 25-metre swimming pool and two astro- turf pitches, allow for sporting fixtures such as girls’ cricket, hockey, rugby and even mini triathlons. The smaller pool allows for weekly lessons for children from kindergarten upwards. Pupils have many opportunities to discover themselves and their talents through the extra- Performing arts flourish through LAMDA, with the

curricular opportunities. The extensive after school activities modules include fencing, science and decoding, and the popular Saturday Enrichment Programme focuses on the broader development of each individual and their horizons. There are a wealth of modules on offer, from interview practice and presentation skills, to outdoor living skills, upcycling and bee keeping. specifically for Y8 extends the range of physical and mental challenges on offer to pupils. To learn more and to arrange a personalised visit to the school, where you will meet the headmaster and see the excellent facilities, call (0118) 984 4511, visit oratoryprep.co.uk, or email Cordelia Atkinson, registrar@ oratoryprep.co.uk The newly introduced Leadership Programme

THE Oratory Preparatory School is a thriving independent day and boarding school, providing an enriched education for boys and girls aged 2 to 13. Set in 65 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, it consistently nurtures happy, confident and inquisitive children. A commitment to the pastoral care of each child and an ethos of inclusive learning lie at the heart of the school, reflected in the creation of a Deputy Head Pastoral and school counsellor. The school strives to strike a balance between encouraging children to step out of their comfort zone, seek adventure and develop resilience, while ensuring that they feel fulfilled, secure and supported. A focus on outdoor learning and expression through sport, music, art and drama are central to the

all faiths or none, visitors often comment on the inclusive family atmosphere and it is this supportive environment that nurtures the confidence, self- expression and resilience that are vital for success and happiness in the world today. When pupils leave the school as confident young adults they are equipped not only with a well-

rounded education, but also a thirst for further learning, a strong moral compass and life- long friends. You are welcome to come and have a look around the school, so email: registrar@oratory.co.uk. Open Morning, October 12, 2019. Book your place online at www.oratory.co.uk

COEDUCATIONAL FROM 2020 Top 3% of schools for value added at A Level Strong academic results @ Nurturing family ethos HMC CATHOLIC DAY & BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOYS AGED 11 TO 18 Near Reading @ 01491 683522 @ registrar@oratory.co.uk @ oratory.co.uk

A place with a palpable buzz and vibrancy that gets the balance between giving children the freedom to be themselves, whilst maintaining a focus on traditional values The Good Schools Guide Review 2018 CONTACT US TO ARRANGE AVISIT Goring Heath, nr Reading @ 0118 976 6924 registrar@oratoryprep.co.uk @ oratoryprep.co.uk