About Oakham School
Oakham School is a co-educational independent day school in Oakham, Rutland. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Oakham School is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need. Ranked #343 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 54.9%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Oakham School
Oakham School Admissions Criteria
Oakham School is a co-educational independent day school in Oakham, Rutland. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Oakham School to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Oakham School. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — ISEB Common Pre-Test: Your child will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test online — the standardised, adaptive assessment used by Oakham School and over 90 other UK independent senior schools. The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is age-standardised to allow fair comparison across applicants.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about his interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether him child has been offered a place at Oakham School.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Oakham School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Oakham School Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Oakham School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Oakham School 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Oakham School
Step 1 — Visit Oakham School at the Market Place, Rutland
Visit Oakham School at the Market Place, Rutland — arrange a personal tour or attend an Open Event
Step 2 — Contact Admissions
Contact Admissions (admissions@oakham.rutland.sch.uk / +44 (0)1572 758758)
Step 3 — Complete the registration form
Complete the registration form (download from school website)
Step 4 — Pay the £150 non-refundable registration fee
Pay the £150 non-refundable registration fee
Step 5 — The school requests a satisfactory reference from your
The school requests a satisfactory reference from your son/daughter's current school
Step 6 — Your child sits the appropriate Entrance Examination at
Your child sits the appropriate Entrance Examination at Oakham
Step 7 — Performance in entrance examination determines offer
Performance in entrance examination determines offer
Step 8 — Sign the Parent Contract on acceptance and pay the deposit
Sign the Parent Contract on acceptance and pay the deposit
Independent Subjects Tested at Oakham School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Oakham School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Drama, Sport Scholarships, plus the Oakham Foundation Award. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Awards announced alongside offers — Oakham Foundation Award available
Additional notes: Oakham School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school in Oakham, Rutland (founded 1584 by Archdeacon Robert Johnson alongside Uppingham School). 1,082 pupils ages 11-18. Entry points at 11, 13, 14 and 16. Offers International Baccalaureate Diploma, A-level and BTEC. Church of England affiliation. 16 day and boarding houses.
Independent Practice Papers for Oakham School
Oakham School uses ISEB Common Pre-Test format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Oakham School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Oakham School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Oakham achieves consistently strong results and is one of the UK’s top IB schools, offering a choice of the IB Diploma or A-Levels (with Pre-U and BTEC options) in the Sixth Form.
- GCSE: a strong record across a broad curriculum (a choice of 26 GCSE subjects).
- A-Level & IB: strong results whichever pathway pupils choose (around three-quarters of A-Level grades at A*–B, and around a quarter of IB candidates scoring 40+).
- Progression: the majority of leavers progress to top universities in the UK, Europe and the USA, including Oxbridge and Russell Group.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Oakham School
Oakham School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a co-educational boarding and day school with an even 50:50 split of boarders and day pupils, it draws day families from across Rutland and the surrounding counties and boarders from the UK and overseas, with entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
Its green campus is a few minutes’ walk from Oakham’s historic town centre and train station (about 30 minutes from Peterborough); entry points are at 11, 13, 14 and into the Sixth Form.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1584 by Archdeacon Robert Johnson (who also founded nearby Uppingham), Oakham School is a large, friendly and unpretentious co-educational independent boarding and day school (ages 10–18) in the market town of Oakham, Rutland, in the heart of rural England. Notably, under Headmaster John Buchanan in 1971 it became the first boys’ independent secondary school in Britain to admit girls throughout the whole school, and today it keeps an even balance of girls and boys and of boarders and day pupils across sixteen houses, with strong pastoral support woven through its ‘Connected Curriculum’.
It has national reputations in sport and music, with flourishing drama and arts and an extensive activities and community-action programme. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oakham School
How do I get into Oakham School?
To gain entry to Oakham School Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the assessment and any interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
Does Oakham School use the ISEB Common Pre-Test?
Yes. Oakham School uses the ISEB Common Pre-Test as part of its 11+ admissions process. The ISEB Common Pre-Test is an online, adaptive assessment commissioned by ISEB and developed by GL Assessment, used by over 90 leading UK independent senior schools. It covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes to complete. Results are age-standardised and shared with all senior schools the candidate has registered with.
What is the 11+ exam at Oakham School?
Oakham School uses its own 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry. The assessment covers English and Mathematics, designed to identify both current ability and future academic potential. An interview with the Head or Deputy Head may also form part of the selection process.
Are there scholarships at Oakham School?
Yes. Oakham School offers Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport scholarships. Means-tested Bursary Awards are also available to support families requiring financial assistance with school fees. Contact the Admissions Office for current scholarship and bursary information.
When should I apply to Oakham School?
Most independent schools including Oakham School accept applications throughout the year, but Year 7 places are often offered 12-18 months in advance. Register early — ideally by Year 5 (age 9-10) — to secure assessment slots and avoid disappointment.
Are there free Independent 11+ practice papers for Oakham School?
Yes. ExamTutor offers a free Independent 11+ Practice Test Paper and free Tutor Video Explanations. The practice paper matches the format of independent school 11+ entrance exams covering English and Mathematics — the subjects typically tested at Oakham School. No registration required.
When is the Oakham School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Oakham School is Early registration recommended — see school website. The registration fee is £150 non-refundable. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Oakham School 11+ results announced?
At Oakham School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.