The Oratory school, Reading - thoughts and feedback please?

[bobbitybobooboo]

I have a son in yr 7 who is at a feeder prep for one of the big name Oxfordshire boys schools, and a daughter in yr 4 at an academic girls prep which feeds directly in to the senior school in Oxford. I am increasingly concerned that we're on the wrong path - that both environments at the senior school (yr9 for my son and yr7 for my daughter so both schools prepping for transfer or already underway) are too "hothouse" and that we need to consider alternatives. The pressure for my friend's kids (at both schools and similar) seems intense. None of them seem happy. I can't help but think that mine will be happier out of the Oxford schools rat race. have heard good things about The Oratory in the last year or two - good pastoral care, great facilities, great sport, nice and happy kids etc. So I'm looking for insights from people with direct experience please? It would be great to be able to send both kids to the same school now it's co-ed and would make logistics much simpler! Academically both are doing well - not super brains but consistently solid in academically challenging and selective schools. Son v v sporty and rugby/cricket mad. Daughter is sporty too but loves art

i Have 2 sons at the oratory! One started in year 7 in the junior house and the other in year 9. It took my older one ages to settle in (but that’s just him!). My younger one is thriving.

it’s non selective, but they have a wide range of abilities, and the more academic children seem to do well.

it is a small school, and for its size has some great facilities. If you have a rugby /cricket mad son then he’d be very happy! Some bigger schools do have better facilities with all singing and dancing S&C facilities and dedicated coaches but to be honest they are so busy (it’s a long school day 830-6 and Saturdays) that there is only so much sport they can fit in. Other sports on offer are golf (they have a golf course), Padel courts about to be built) real tennis (our coach is the current world champion) lawn tennis, fencing, rowing, netball, football, hockey, badminton, squash and others.
The art department is very good and pupils get very good grades in GCSE.

New head incoming in September so can’t comment about that but seems like a nice chap!

lots of trips. This year there is a rugby tour to Portugal, cricket tour to Barbados.

Best thing to do is come and see. I think it’s quite different to Oxford schools. If your children are academic the may find it too easy OR they may enjoy being the top of the class. From what I see, those who are able get top grades. They do know the children well.

Thank you so much for your reply. Very helpful and great to get insights! I’ve booked an open day and I’m very hopeful that it will suit us all!

i would like to add that if your child as any sen needs this headteacher will not support you.

my child was an able student who has since been diagnosed with autism and adhd. She gained 9s in her GCSES and is now 18. She was under his regime in when she was in year 7.

He has an unethical way of working with pupils with any Sen needs. Needs some educating on this matter. Hopefully in time he will change.

Interesting- are you talking about the new head at the oratory? Started this September.

sounds like your daughter has done really well.

thanks - interesting to get another pov. I have heard the opposite from a current parent of a child with sen/learning difficulties who had high praise for the sen support. If your daughter is now 18, then how was she under the previous head master at y7? They’ve only been taking girls for 3.5 yrs I thought?

Wondering if the child had been at the new heads previous school? Wasn’t clear. Or at OPS under prev head?

from my experience the school seems to cater well for SEN.

St Benedict’s or The Oratory?