Oakham School blends strong academic standards with a rich offering in sport, the arts and extracurricular activities. Situated near Leicester, it’s a versatile boarding school that offers students a little bit of everything – and does it all well.
Oakham is a selective school, which means not every applicant is guaranteed a place. That makes it all the more gratifying that every student we have supported in recent years has received an offer.
Nestled on the edge of a nature reserve in the picturesque market town of Oakham, this school radiates both tradition and progress, drawing on its 400 years of history. With more than 1,000 pupils, Oakham is one of the largest boarding schools in the UK. And yet, it’s a place where individual care is paramount and no student is overlooked. Pupils achieve excellent exam results, and the school has a reputation for being warm, lively, and quietly ambitious.
We especially value Oakham’s pastoral strength and its ability to bring out the best in every child. The school’s versatility is a major strength: it’s known for music, drama and the creative arts just as much as for academic rigour or its sport. Its motto – translated from the Latin – is “Like runners, they pass on the torch of life” and that spirit of energy, responsibility and momentum runs through everything the school does.
Akademis makes history – A Triple Award-Winning Consultancy (2023, 2024 & 2025) 🏆
Akademis has been recognised three years in a row by StudyTravel for excellence in the education sector:
2025 & 2024: Winners of the StudyTravel Secondary School Award (Best Western European Agency)
2023: Winner of the StudyTravel Star Award
(Best Western European Agency)
The StudyTravel Awards are among the most prestigious honours in international education, recognising outstanding quality, client focus and trusted partnerships. Being the first consultancy ever to win for three consecutive years is something we are deeply proud of. For us, these awards highlight our commitment to offering the very best guidance, personal service and long-term support for families embarking on this exciting journey.
Quick Overview
Age of students: 10-18
Number of students: 1,045
International students: 15%
Boarding students: 50%
Sixth form students: 384
Boarding fees for sixth form per term: £18,570
Key sports offerings besides traditional team sports: hockey, sailing, golf, tennis, taekwondo, polo, shooting, climbing, canoeing
Nearest airports: Birmingham Airport (1 hr), London (2 hrs)
https://www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk
Key Strengths at a Glance
IB Diploma
Excellent music department
Above-average academic results
Versatile in all areas
Oakham School – Photo Highlights
Oakham School in Detail
Well-rounded education
Oakham is a school that doesn’t put a foot wrong. Whether your child is academically driven or has a passion for the arts, music, drama or sport, they’ll be encouraged to explore and develop their talents. The school’s scale means it can offer something truly impressive in every department. And yet, the atmosphere is far from impersonal – care and guidance are hallmarks of life here. Much of this is thanks to the boarding system: each house is run by a Housemaster or Housemistress who lives on site with their family, creating a genuine feeling of home. Houses compete against each other in sport and academic events, which builds camaraderie and house spirit.
Creative Arts
Creativity is not a side note at Oakham – it’s a pillar of school life. The school is widely recognised for its outstanding choirs, bands and orchestras, many of which win awards at national level. Over 300 students sing in choirs – some parents even cite the music provision as a deciding factor in their school choice. Drama is equally impressive, with six productions staged every year in the purpose-built Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Students are involved in every aspect of theatre – from acting and directing to lighting, costume and make-up. The Jerwood School of Design offers superb facilities and workshops for budding engineers and designers, and the four art studios provide space and inspiration for creative exploration.
Academics
Small class sizes ensure that every child is known and challenged appropriately. A strong tutor and houseparent system ensures that no student slips through the cracks. Parents are kept closely informed through weekly feedback and regular discussions. Pupils are encouraged to think critically and creatively, and to reflect thoughtfully – a skill set that is embedded across the curriculum. The school handled the pandemic commendably, rapidly moving to online learning and continuing to run virtual enrichment activities. In 2022, Oakham’s IB students averaged 35.5 points – significantly above the global average of 30.
Sport and co-curricular
Oakham has produced several national-level hockey players and excels in sailing, thanks to nearby Rutland Water – England’s largest reservoir. Golf is another strength, but with over 30 sports on offer – from karate and rugby to shooting, football and dance – there’s truly something for everyone. Around 60 students regularly compete at national level across a range of disciplines. Importantly, sport is inclusive: pupils of all abilities take part, whether as players or enthusiastic supporters. Beyond sport, there’s a full programme of co-curricular activities – including Model United Nations, robotics, Mandarin, cookery, book club and much more.
Our visit
We were struck by the size and beauty of the Oakham campus – far more expansive than we’d expected, and set in stunning countryside. The school has made major investments in facilities, and it shows. One highlight was the ultra-modern theatre, where we caught a glimpse of pupils rehearsing. But what stayed with us most was the school’s grounded warmth. There’s no hint of arrogance or snobbery here – just a sincere, caring community. Headmaster Henry Price and every member of staff we met gave us a warm, open-hearted welcome.
Photos From Our Visit
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Oakham School Fees
Fees at Oakham School start at £18,570 per term or £55,710 per year.
Conclusion Oakham School
Oakham is a grounded, outward-looking IB school offering an exceptional breadth of opportunity. But of course, it’s one of many outstanding schools in the UK. We warmly encourage families to explore all options and would be delighted to support you in finding the right fit for your child.
With Akademis you benefit from:
- Personal insights from our visit and interview with Headmaster Henry Price
- Insider knowledge of what Oakham is really like
- Expert interview preparation
- A realistic understanding of admissions requirements
Let us help you find the school where your child will thrive.
What Makes Akademis Stand Out?
- We remain your trusted contact throughout your child’s stay, well beyond the placement process.
- We provide support with guardianship, visa applications and recognition of qualifications within the German school system.
- We offer fully tailored advice. Our school recommendations are unique to each child and can run to 40 pages in length.
- Families receive our 30+ page boarding school guide, packed with practical tips and insights.
- We prepare your child thoroughly for entrance exams and interviews to maximise their chances of success.
- We arrange school visits, ensuring you have the opportunity to experience each school first-hand.
Every boarding school has its own character and ethos. Having personally visited more than 100 schools, we understand these nuances. We also work with schools that do not pay commission, ensuring that our advice remains independent and always in the best interest of your child.
Our roots lie in the UK. For years, we have placed 200–300 families annually into British boarding schools. While our portfolio now includes schools beyond Britain, the UK remains at the heart of what we do.
Our tailored approach results in exceptional acceptance rates. For example, in 2022/23, all seven students we placed at the highly selective Malvern College received offers – a 100% success rate.
We arrange for prospective families to speak with our current students to hear first-hand accounts of life at a UK boarding school.
