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From the founding of the School by Archdeacon Robert Johnson in 1584 through to the present day, donor support has played a vital part in our development and growth as a school. Many of our finest facilities have been made possible through generous gifts from our community, helping pupils to have the best experience possible and grow into well rounded citizens.
Scroll down to discover how the Foundation has helped transform the campus.
The Smallbone Library occupies a pivotal space in the intellectual and academic life of Oakham School. Covering 2,400 square metres over two floors, and housing in excess of 30,000 books, complemented by a wide range of periodicals and online resources, the Library provides space for both silent and collaborative work, with or without computers. The Upper Library includes a dedicated room for the teaching of research skills and library-based lessons, while the Lower Library includes a seminar room with a Harkness table around which pupils and staff can discuss ideas in an open-minded and encouraging environment.
Lynn Wilson ('57) was one of the most generous benefactors to the School. His support enabled the School to build its first Astroturf Hockey Pitch, located in the north east corner of Doncaster Close, opened in 1990. One the sale of new land, the New Wilson Astro was built on Fairside, opening in 2002.
Recognising the need for a Pavilion at the new Springfield's Site (just off Ashwell Road) a significant benefaction from Lynn Wilson ('57) led to the opening of the Wilson Pavilion and Playing Fields. It is now home to Cricket, Rugby, Football and Lacrosse teams. Opened in 2005, the Pavilion provides changing rooms and a refreshments area – a perfect place from which to watch sports matches.
The chapel was built in 1925 as a memorial to the former Oakham School boys who lost their lives in WW1. in 2007 it was renovated and repaired thanks to the generosity of Mr Brian Smith ('54), a former pupil of the School. A commemorative plaque was unveiled by Mr Smith. He told the congregation that he was delighted to be the 'living stone' which had enabled the renovation of the Chapel to take place and referred to the Chapel as the centerpiece of an all-round education at Oakham.
This £2 million state-of-the-art facility was designed to inspire students, whilst also allowing the School to further enhance its reputation for producing talented designers and technologists. Students can use Pro-Engineer CAD software and a 3D Rapid Prototype Printer in workshops and studios built to meet the needs of 21st century designers.
After five years of fundraising and many generous gifts, the Mehra Faculty of Science was officially opened by Sanjeev Mehra ('78) in 2013. It provides stimulating teaching spaces to educate and inspire our future scientists. The building also houses the Wilson Auditorium, a lecture theatre seating up to 250, featuring the most up-to-date audio-visual equipment. Made possible by a generous donation from the Wilson Foundation.
Thanks to the generosity of Mr Brian Smith ('54), the BAF Smith Pavilion overlooks Doncaster Close, providing changing facilities for home and visiting teams. It is a wonderful welcoming reception area for match spectators, while also hosting a variation of other events, not forgetting a perfect view of the cricket pitch and Oakham School.
This brand-new three-story building, in use since September 2016, offers leading-edge learning facilities for the School’s Business Studies, Economics, Politics and Citizenship students. The building houses classrooms, presentation rooms, offices and flexible learning spaces, and mirrors the business world in its styling and décor, to help students prepare for the corporate world.
Thanks to the incredible support of the Wilson Foundation, we now have floodlights on both astro pitches. This fantastic gift has significantly improved our hockey, tennis, and netball facilities. It has also made a meaningful difference for our pupils and members of our local community, who can now play sports and games in the evening.
