Oratory school woodcote?

[wackydacky]

I have a son, young for year who is very able academically. Currently doing so well at a grammar school for academics but has found no kindred spirits. Due to age most schools we would have originally considered are now full. I hadn’t considered the oratory in woodcote before as it isn’t on our doorstep and I dismissed it as a) catholic which isn’t a deal breaker, but not especially appealing and b) not academic enough as my son really enjoys the stretch . I can oversee both if there are people who think it’s a happy, kind place that does well for sensitive children. Any views?

Hi there,

My two sons started in September in first form and third form as day boys. Both very happy too!
I didn’t consider it to start with as it’s not on our doorstep either. I went to see it and found it very welcoming and down to earth compared to some other schools!
One son is academically average (and lazy 🙄), and the other is showing potential. I think there is enough for the brighter children and a friends son is super bright and seems to be happy.
Co-Ed for the last two years and going really well. I think the girls have been a great addition.
It is a small school and the teachers know the kids well. Termly reports so you know how they are getting on.
I would say though that there is a big emphasis on sport. My 2 really enjoy the sporting provision so it’s great for them. There are also lots of academic, art, music clubs too.
The art and DT departments are very highly thought of.
My kids LOVE the food (v important). Parents match teas are probably the best I’ve experienced!
It is a catholic school, and although I went to Catholic schools, I don’t go to church. They have admissions from all faiths. The ethos is respecting others and being kind. Also charity is important too as is giving back to the local community.
The latest ISI report is excellent.
I have a daughter at a local grammar school too. She is happy there so have never thought about moving her.
I suppose it depends on how unhappy your son is. Is it worth the upheaval? Where are you roughly based?
Unfair for me to compare grammar and private-many more opportunities in terms of clubs and developing an interest at private and small class sizes. My daughters school is huge and they do really well with extracurricular provision despite low funding etc but clearly can’t compete.
If your son is academic there may be other schools near you to consider too?
I would visit lots of school and you will get a feel for what’s right. You may even realise that your current school is the right place!

Also to add, each child (even day pupils) is assigned to a boarding house. So the day pupils (of which there are many), are integrated in to school life just as the boarders are. Most other schools we went to see had separate day houses. You have a house mum and house master who are easily contactable if there are any issues. There are pupils from all years yr9-13 in each boarding house so they get to know the older children. Years 7-8 have their own separate house and house dog Toffee!

Thank you so much for this really comprehensive response! It sounds like a lovely school. I totally agree regarding the grammars and it's so good with what it can do. It is purely that he really feels 'alone' there due to the demographic of where that school is and how enormous it is. He's also someone who stands back and observes before getting stuck in and he feels he hasn't found friends (which isn't usually an issue with him). He is doing a lot of sport, and as you imply, impressive with the resources they have. We live on the Oxfordshire/Bucks border. Most of the original schools we considered are now full but we are also looking at d'overbeoecks, mcs (a few spaces if passes the test). I'm not sure about mcs as he's a very motivated boy anyway so feel he'll do well academically wherever and I went to a very pressured school. Not all bad but don't necessarily think it's needed sometimes... basically confusion here !

I feel your pain! For my daughter it was easy-passed 11+ and had 2 schools to choose from which were both great.
For the boys it was such a difficult decision!
I’m on Bucks/oxon borders too fairly close to Thame. Journey is about 40 minutes which is pretty tiring. I haven’t yet enquired about a bus so not sure even if there is one or a possibility for one from where I am).
Also to consider is that there is Saturday school. Lessons in the morning and usually matches in the afternoon. Can finish at 1230 if they don’t have a match or stay and do sport until 3.
I know someone with a son at MCS in year 10. He is happy and enjoying the performing arts there(which I hear is great).
My middle son is happy to stand back and let the bigger personalities take over (which happened at his previous school and wasn’t really noticed/addressed), so it’s a breath of fresh air that he feels more able to do so now and it’s been noted that he holds back, so his teachers are encouraging him to be more forthcoming (in a nice way!).

Thank you. Yes we couldn't manage without a bus as my daughter is at a prep further into bucks and I work full time. Website says there is a mini bus from risborough but not sure if that's true so will call once their admissions are open! I'm sure it will all work out it's just a bit confusing right now!

Have just asked a friend and currently one goes from lewknor. She seems to think that they are v flexible and would add in stops as needed.
We may switch to bus at some point and youngest keen to board a few nights so we are just seeing how it goes but the drive there and back twice a day is a lot!
Good luck with your decision x
Happy to chat if you think of anything else x

Thank you! Yes little bit of boarding sounds good too as well as lewknor

I spoke to the lovely lady in admissions today- lewknor is definitely on their list and if more come from a particular direction they'll sometimes extend the bus. I didn't ask if it runs on Saturdays but that isn't a deal breaker for us either way!

I have 2 children at The Oratory who joined in sept 2020 - one girl who joined in the first year of girls intake and a son. I can't speak highly enough of it. It's a very inclusive school and as it's smaller than many schools in the area, they k or each child individually. In my view they punch well above their weight in a number of areas - academically they cater for the very bright, but focus on each pupils improvement and progress, there's a lot of music, drama and art, but sport is very prevalent and taken seriously (and they often best much bigger schools). We are also on the ox/bucks border and the bus from lewknor is good. Feel free to dm if you have questions! From what I understand, the school has changed a huge amount in the past 5ish years - personally I have nothing but good things to say about it and both my (very different) children are extremely happy there