The Oratory School is the UK’s only all boys’ Catholic boarding and day senior school in the UK. It educates boys aged between11-18 from all backgrounds and faiths.

The school was founded in l859 by Cardinal John Henry Newman, who believed in an education system based on sound moral principles, a scientific and methodical approach to academic study and a personal concern for the welfare of every pupil.

Small classes ensure close monitoring of work, with an academic programme designed to provide something for everyone including for GCSE Spanish, Italian, Latin, Greek, classical civilisation and PE.

The three sciences are taught separately from Year 7 and a second language is taught from Year 9.

Newly extended departments, (art and design, English, maths, and theology), offer impressive learning opportunities for every pupil.

Boys are expected to participate in school life and to achieve the highest standards possible in every area relevant to each individual. The development of leadership skills plays an important part in the school, including adventure training, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, debating, public speaking, Combined Cadet Force and prefect training.

Daily sport promotes team spirit and the bonding of good friendships.

Boys have the opportunity to reach a high level of sporting excellence, some going on to play for international teams.

The school has a great rugby tradition with three unbeaten teams last season and national sevens wins at Stonyhurst (Northern Sevens) and Windsor. Old Oratorians include England players Daniel Cipriani, Ayoola Erinle and Andy Vilk.

Outside the core sports, Real tennis is unique to the school and has an outside member’s club on site.

An impressive shooting team is rated as one of the top teams in the country, holding an array of trophies including the Schools’ Grand Aggregate won at Bisley for the last five years.

The cultural life is strong with an award winning art and design department offering foundation course status and voted by the Good Schools’ Guide as top in the UK for art at A-Level, as well as gaining the best results at GCSE for art and design.

A lively drama department produced three major plays a year some in conjunction with local girls’ schools, while the music department provides all that would be expected from a senior school, with a strong emphasis on choral singing and small instrumental ensemble work.

In the final two years the sixth form provides academic monitoring, interview training, study skills, work experience and individual guidance.

Last year’s A-Level results set a new benchmark at 77 per cent A-Bs, with boys off to Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and other top universities.