A-Z of Oakham School, from the Archives!

P is for Pavilion! What are your memories of the old Pavilion, Stumps and BAFS?

We have teamed up with Aurore, the School Archivist, for our A-Z series. Delving into the School's history, sharing some of the stories behind the day and boarding houses, buildings, sports, activities, and people. Read through the A-Z feature via the link in our bio.

A Family Affair - The 2022-23 U18 National Schools Cup winning Rugby team boasted a huge number of OO connections, with 6 of the squad sons of OOs, including 5 who played in the final.

Click the link in our bio to read the full news story

1. Proud OO parents at Twickenham
2. Rachel Williams ('89), (right, playing the flute) from the Oakhamian Magazine 1989
3. 1st XI Cricket Team 1987, ft. Charlie Wood (vice-captain)
4. First XV Rugby Team 1982, ft. Andrew Lawson-Dick and Giles Houston
5. First XI Girls Hockey 1987, ft Kate Lawson-Dick
6. First XI Boys Hockey 1987, ft. Charlie Wood
7. First XV Rugby Team 1989, ft. James Dickens (vice-captain)

@oakhamschool

A huge congratulations to our 1st XV rugby team who have been crowned U18 Schools Cup National Champions 2023 at Twickenham! 🥇🎉

Well done also to @trinitycroydon for such a fantastic match.

Thank you to all those that came to support at Twickenham and those that watched online! The atmosphere was amazing in the ground, and the boys made Oakham School proud.

On Friday 9 December, we held our annual Christmas Drinks at Bankside Gallery in London.

It was a lovely evening, with canapes, mince pies, and even some festive shirts!

Thank you to everyone that joined us; we hope you had a wonderful time and look forward to seeing all of you next year.

Today we mark 438 years since Oakham School was founded on 16 November 1584.

Coincidently, outgoing OO Chairman Jono Wills ('73) officially passed on the torch to his successor Jonathan Stevens ('79) this morning.

On the same day in 1984, HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip visited Oakham School to celebrate our Quatercentenary and the opening of the QET.

#onthisday

Some OO News from the first half of term, including an Emmy for Matthew Macfadyen, promotion success for Stuart Broad and Lyndon James, International Rugby selections for Jack van Poortvliet, Sam Costelow and Hamish Watson, a BBC mini-series for Louise Doughty and more!

Last week we were delighted to welcome back Charlotte Wilson ('20) to talk to our Upper School Linguists. 'Languages beyond School' was a fascinating talk that ranged across many matters; notably the skills and employability provided by studying a Language to a high level.

Thank you to Charlotte for coming back and sharing your experiences with current Oakhamians!

To read more about the talk, click the link in our bio and follow OO News. #europeandayoflanguages

Form 3 have just returned from a successful Battlefields trip, accompanied by our very own Miss Woodward.

They visited a number of sites and memorials where OOs are commemorated (photos in the following order):

1. Vimy Ridge Memorial, where Major Malcolm Neilson (1912) is commemorated;
2. Loos Memorial, where five Oakhamians are remembered: E.C Franks (1910), W.I Johnson (1899), E.G. Langdale (Housemaster 1912-14), B.F.W Mogridge (1914) and G. Sanderson (1903);
3&4. A wreath was laid at Jack Dewar’s (1915) grave to honour him and the 70 other Oakhamians that gave their lives for their country;
5. The ‘Ring of Memory’;
6. Thiepval Memorial, where six OOs are among the 73,357 names listed:  G.H.E Vidler (1914), J.N Pickering-Clarke (1911), B.V. Wood (1905), A.C. English (1900), W.H.L Dewhirst (1890) and J.P. Bromhead (1912);
7. Neuville-St-Vaast German Military Cemetery;
8. Newfoundland Park to look at preserved British and Canadian trenches;
9. The Loos Memorial;
10. The preserved trenches at Vimy Ridge.

The groups also visited the Devonshire Cemetery, Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, Lochnager Crater and the Somme.

It has been a wonderful and insightful trip with all the pupils engaging, learning about the sacrifices, while also remembering those that fell. It was an incredibly enjoyable trip – even with the heat.

Congrats to Matthew Macfadyen on his BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor! Swipe to see some photos of Matthew as a pupil in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, and as our Oakhamian cover star back in 2005!

We are celebrating our 50th anniversary of co-education this year! To begin the celebrations we invited Old Oakamians from the first decade of co-education for a reunion. They enjoyed a special chapel service, an afternoon tea and a tour of the school.

It was lovely to welcome them back, hearing all of their stories and memories of Oakham was wonderful. Look out for future co-education and OO events!

#50yearsofcoeducation #oakhamschool #oakhamschool50coed

A beautiful Oakham sunset.

The summer holidays are underway and the sun is now shining on the Oakham School campus. The Round house lawns are looking beautiful!

I’m Olivia and I am taking over the OO Club Instagram for a week as a 6th former soon to be 7th former. This is part of my work experience in the Alumni and Marketing department (2nd picture)

I have just spent my last year in Gunthorpe. What are your favourite memories about being a day pupil?

Last week the Biennial Inspection of CCF took place around the grounds.

The weather was perfect, with the cadets performing a guard of honour, an RAF drill demonstration, command tasks, target shooting, rock climbing, as well as a section attack.

The day ended with a regimental dinner!

What are your memories of CCF Inspection Day?

@oakhamccf

Ahead of our upcoming Middle School production of ‘Great Expectations’, we thought we would look back to 1998 when the Market Place was used as a filming location for the BBC mini series released in 1999!

The Market Place and school buildings were transformed, with pupils being able to watch and take photos with the cast.

From Monday 1 May our Middle School pupils will be performing in the QET, to get tickets please email theatretickets@oakham.rutland.sch.uk, the drama department would love to see you again.

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.

To read more about the Oakham School Foundation and the work we do, click the Support Us tab in our Linktree

Some exciting OO News from the weekend! Alex Stadler ('15) was part of the German Team that won against Belgium in the Hockey Men's World Cup Final.

The game went to penalty flicks, with the final score being: Germany vs. Belgium 3-3 (SO: 5-4)

@oakhamsport @oakham_hockey @oakhamschool

New Year, New Oakhamian, get to know the new OO Club Chairman!

Click the link in our bio to read through, our latest edition of The Old Oakhamian Magazine. Where we welcome Jonathan Stevens ('79) as the OO Chairman. Jonathan introduces himself, shares his memories of Oakham School, and plans for the OO Club.

To start the new year, we wanted to share some Old Oakhamians who have been doing extraordinary things for Charity over the past year.

Our last slide is a round-up of School charity news. Pupils have been busy raising money for various charities throughout 2022, raising £26,000 overall.

We love hearing all about OOs and their achievements; please carry on sending your news to the OO Club.

We are delighted to announce the latest versions of the Old Oakhamian and Oakhamian Magazine!

Need something to read over the Christmas break? Click the link in our bio (OO News Stories) to read about what Old Oakhamians have been up to while also learning what current Oakhamians have been up to the past academic year.

Oakham School recently welcomed back former pupil Olivia Stables (’13) to give a talk to Form 7 BTEC Business students about implementing a marketing campaign.

Thank you for coming back Olivia!

To read more click the link in our bio, news stories. We love welcoming back OOs, please email us if you would like to give a talk.

On Tuesday, all pupils participated in Steeplechase, an Oakham tradition, running across campus in wet and windy weather!

Take a look through photos of Steeplechase throughout the years, from the first Girls taking part, running through snow and the participants this year.

What are your memories of Steeplechase?

On Friday 14 October, we welcomed 18 OOs back to the School for the Upper School Networking Evening. They were joined by 60 pupils for a lovely evening of good food, drink and conversation in the Barraclough.

The Headmaster thanked the OOs for coming back and sharing their advice and wisdom, and congratulated the pupils on taking a leap, imploring them to see every conversation as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Between the main course and dessert, the current pupils were asked to switch tables to ensure that they had multiple conversations with people of different backgrounds, careers and interests.

The OO Club and the School wish to express our deepest gratitude to those OOs who came back, as well as the many OOs who sent their apologies and well-wishes for the event. It is our intention to make this an annual event, so keep an eye on the OO Events page for next year’s iteration.

Having taken the difficult to decision to postpone this Saturday’s event, we are delighted to announce a rescheduled Late Summer Drinks to be held in the BAF Smith Pavilion on Friday 23 September, where we will thank Jon Wills for his many years of dedicated service to the OO Club.
We are also excited to announce our Christmas Drinks, to be held at the Bankside Gallery in London on Friday 9 December.
Please RSVP to either event using the link in our bio!

A round-up of OO Sports News from the last month or so - lots going on in the rugby and hockey world! Please do continue to share your news with us here at School - we love to hear from you!

Rugby - Hamish Watson wins Calcutta Cup, Jed Gelderbloom and Jacob Cusick play in the U20 Six Nations, Fred Davies breaks the BUCS try scoring record and signs with the Bristol Bears, Matt Smith profiled in the Sunday Times.

Hockey - Matthew Ramshaw selected for Team GB, Ben Collinson joins GB Development Squad and Maddie Pearce wins 100 Caps for Loughborough Students.

American Football - Tyrese Johnson-Fisher signs a pro contract with the Istanbul Rams.

OO News Round-Up: OOs Retain Ed Farmer Trophy; Ally Ambrose stars in Max Kingdom's musical in London; Sam Wolstenholme beats Jack van Poortvliet in OO scrum-half match up; Wendy Greaves Exhibition opens; Jacob Cusick in England U20 Rugby team; Katie Hall stars as Fantine in Les Mis.

Today we remember all of those that gave their lives and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The names of the OOs who fell during the World Wars were read today during our Armistice Day services.

We will remember them.

We’ve reached the first Leave Out weekend of the year, and a good time to share some highlights of the first few weeks back.

Rugby and Hockey fixtures are back for the first time in nearly two years, and it’s been great to have the campus come alive on Saturdays as the pupils fill their boots.

Singing is back in the Chapel, following a rather quiet 18 months.

Last weekend saw the Tom Grant (’05) Festival return after a two year hiatus; Buchanans ran out the overall winners, collecting the Champions League trophy.

A huge thank-you to Sam Wolstenholme (’17) who ran a training session with the First XV and shared some wisdom with the boys.

The 1584 & Legacy Societies held their annual luncheon in BAFS Pavilion, watching the 1st XV Rugby and 1st XI Hockey fixtures afterwards.

And the Lincoln girls sure are happy to be back, as are we all!

What are some of your favourite memories of the first few weeks of term?

On The King's Coronation Parade tomorrow look out for Old Oakhamian Lt Harry McEuen ('19) who will be carrying the King's Colour as the Ensign for the 1st Battalion Scots Guards.

@oakhamschool @oakhamccf

On Sunday, in memory of Tom Grant ('05), the whole school participated in the annual Tom Grant House Football Festival.

The pupils brought their house spirit; it was a lovely day to remember Tom.

The winners were:
U15 Boys: @barrowhouseoakham
U15 Girls: Stevens
Senior Boys: School House
Senior Girls: Round House
Overall Winners (overall points): Haywoods

@oakhamschool @oakhamsport @wharflandshouse @rushebrookes @buchanans.oakham @gunthorpehouse @hambleton_house_oakham

Last term our Drama Scholars put on Oakham School's latest drama production, 'The Sweet Science of Bruising'.

The production follows the lives of four very different young women as they are drawn into the underground world of female boxing.

Read more about the production via the link in our bio.

@oakhamdrama @oakhamschool

A-Z of Oakham School, from the Archives!

M is for Music

What are your memories of the Music department?

The annual Gala Concert took place in Nottingham on Sunday 19 March, with performance from the Symphony Orchestra, Chapel Choir and Form 3 Singers.

We have teamed up with Aurore, the School Archivist, for our A-Z series. Delving into the School's history, sharing some of the stories behind the day and boarding houses, buildings, sports, activities, and people. Read through the A-Z feature via the link in our bio.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we would like to share past female staff members who have shown tremendous support and dedication to Oakham and its pupils over many years.

There are many female members of staff that have left a lasting legacy at Oakham. Is there a female member of staff who had a profound effect on your time at Oakham School?

@oakhamschool
#internationalwomensday

Last week, Form 3 went on the annual Battlefields trip, led by the History Department. They visited preserved trenches at Beaumont-Hamel, the extraordinary memorials at Thiepval and Vimy Ridge, and held a service of remembrance for OO Jack Dewar, who is buried in one of the area’s many beautiful war cemeteries.

To read the blog from the trip, use the link in our bio.

A-Z of Oakham School, from the Archives!

I is for Inspection of the Cadets

Can you remember the annual inspections taking place?

We also have an A-Z feature in the Old Oakhamian Magazine featuring other notable Oakham Sites, people, subjects, and more!

Oakham School actors were treated to an exciting workshop from critically acclaimed actor and Old Oakhamian Richard Hope ('71).

To read the full story, please click the link in our bio.

Thank you to Richard for coming back, if any OOs are interested in giving workshops or talks to current pupils, please email OOclub@oakham.rutland.sch.uk.

Today, we remember all who gave their lives during both World Wars. The School held its Armistice Day services at the Memorial Chapel, as well at All Saints and St. Joseph's. The names of the Oakhamians who fell in both wars were read out before the Last Post was played and a minute's silence observed.

Earlier this year, Form 3 pupils laid wreaths at the grave of Jack Dewar (1915) and the Loos Memorial, where five Oakhamians are remembered: E.C Franks (1910), W.I Johnson (1899), E.G. Langdale (Housemaster 1912-14), B.F.W Mogridge (1914) and G. Sanderson (1903), and visited the Thiepval Memorial where six OOs are among the 73,357 names listed: G.H.E Vidler (1914), J.N Pickering-Clarke (1911), B.V. Wood (1905), A.C. English (1900), W.H.L Dewhirst (1890) and J.P. Bromhead (1912).

The School will be hosting a Remembrance Sunday Service for boarders at 10.45 on Sunday 13 November - all OOs are welcome to join.

Today is Teachers Day!

To celebrate we are looking back at all those that have taught at Oakham for over 30 years.

Thank you to our amazing teachers!

#teachersday #oakhamschool

The OO Club hosted the Late Summer Drinks last Friday (23 September) in honour of Jon Wills, the retiring Chairman, to thank him for his decades of service to the OO Club.
It was a chance for OOs and Honorary OOs of all ages to show their gratitude to a man who has touched thousands of lives as Chairman of the OO Club, teacher, coach, housemaster, colleague, and friend.
Jono is succeeded by Jonathan Stevens (’79), who thanked him in a moving speech, where he shared his gratitude on behalf of the OO Club, as well as their own shared history and friendship as stalwarts of the Oakham School community. Jono himself spoke, sharing some of his many stories of his time as Chairman and officially passing on the torch to Jonathan.
The OO Club will undoubtedly miss Jono's presence as its fearless leader and champion, and we in College House will miss his regular visits, which always came accompanied by an Oakham story and a cheeky joke.
There was a message book at the drinks for attendees to sign with messages to Jono — if you were unable to attend but would like a message transcribed into the book, please email ooclub@oakham.rutland.sch.uk.

As the School mourns the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022, we reflect on her life with respect and gratitude and have fond memories of her two visits to Oakham School. Chapel services are being held for pupils across the School today, inviting them to pray and light a candle in her memory.

Headmaster Henry Price expressed his respect and gratitude for the life of The Queen. He said: “At this time of mourning our hearts are open to the many emotions that we will feel as we unite in loss and celebration of the inspirational life of our late Queen.”

In this sad and historic period, may Her Majesty The Queen rest in peace and forever be honoured and remembered for her dedication to our country.

During this national period of mourning, only essential information will be posted on our social media channels.

A couple of major sporting milestones for OOs over the weekend!

To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, here are some photos & memories of HM The Queen’s visits to Oakham. We hope you’re all enjoying the weekend’s festivities!

The Faculty of Social Sciences, The Smallbone Library and The BAF Smith Sports Pavilion.

As I am working with the Oakham School Foundation today, I thought I’d share some of the buildings that our generous Oakham School community have fundraised for.

The faculty of Social Sciences is one of Oakham School’s newest buildings and was officially opened in 2017. The Smallbone Library was planned in 1993; at that time, Oakham’s first chartered librarian was hired. The BAF Smith Sports Pavilion was opened for use in 2014 and replaced the former pavilion named ‘Stumps’. This pavilion is where many OO Club events take place.

With the Speech Day bunting hanging high once again, and an office filled with Leavers bags, it must nearly be the end of term!

We are looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2021 to the OO Club, following their departure tomorrow.

What do you remember most about your Speech Day at Oakham School?