Oakhyrst Grange School Joins the Award-Winning Caterham Family of Schools
Thriving and much-loved Surrey preparatory school, Oakhyrst Grange School, has announced that it will be joining the multi award-winning Caterham Family of Schools, marking an exciting new chapter in the school’s 75-year history.
Set within five and a half acres of beautiful Surrey Hills lawns and woodland, Oakhyrst Grange School is renowned for its nurturing ethos, strong academic foundations and exceptional pastoral care. Combining traditional values with innovative learning opportunities, the school provides an inspiring environment where children are encouraged to grow in confidence, develop a love of learning and achieve their full potential.
The partnership brings together two schools that have enjoyed a close relationship for decades and share a commitment to educational excellence, pupil wellbeing and innovation. Oakhyrst and Caterham already share many families and alumni, and both schools are united by a belief in providing outstanding opportunities for every child.
Oakhyrst Grange is proud of its exceptional facilities, including a heated indoor swimming pool, sports hall, Multi-Use Games Area and dedicated Forest School provision, all of which support a broad and ambitious curriculum. The school was also recently recognised nationally with a Pearson National Teaching Award Bronze Award for Early Years Team of the Year, celebrating the outstanding quality of its Early Years provision.
Gemma Mitchell, Headteacher of Oakhyrst Grange School, said:
“Joining the Caterham Family of Schools is a hugely exciting opportunity for Oakhyrst Grange and comes from a position of strength. This partnership builds upon a long-standing and successful relationship between our schools and reflects our shared commitment to educational excellence, innovation and pupil wellbeing.”
“Oakhyrst will retain its unique identity, values and close-knit community, which are so important to our families. We are incredibly proud of the warm, supportive environment we provide and remain ambitious for every child in our care. This partnership will enable us to build on our many strengths whilst creating even greater opportunities for our pupils, staff and wider school community.”
“Most importantly, families can be confident that their children will continue to enjoy the exceptional education, pastoral care and breadth of opportunity that define an Oakhyrst education. We will continue to prepare and support pupils for a wide range of senior school destinations, whilst also providing a smoother pathway to Caterham School for those families who choose that route.”
Ceri Jones, Headmaster of Caterham School, commented:
“Both schools have given their wholehearted support to this partnership, which reflects a shared educational vision, common values and a commitment to excellence. We are delighted to welcome Oakhyrst Grange into the Caterham Family of Schools and look forward to working together to enhance opportunities for pupils, families and staff alike.”
The Caterham Family of Schools includes Caterham School, Caterham Prep School, Copthorne Prep School and The Hawthorns School. The family is recognised for academic excellence, exceptional pastoral care, innovation and sector-leading approaches to digital learning and wellbeing.
Caterham School was named the Times Educational Supplement’s Independent Senior School of the Year and is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading co-educational schools. It is also the founding school of the East Surrey Learning Partnership, which brings together independent and state schools to enhance educational opportunity for young people across the region.
This partnership marks an exciting future for Oakhyrst Grange School, ensuring that its distinctive ethos, strong sense of community and commitment to educational excellence continue to flourish for generations to come.
U8 & U9 Hockey competition v St David’s School – Tuesday 28th January 2025
On Tuesday 28th January 2025, all of our Year 3 & 4 children took part in a friendly hockey competition involving St David’s School, Purley. It was a chance to compete in an exciting set of matches, showcasing great teamwork, determination, and improvement throughout.
Year 3 competition:
The children in Year 3 were divided into 3 equal teams, along with a team from St David’s. They all started the games with enthusiasm, demonstrating a resilience to work hard and regain possession. As the matches went on, the teams grew in confidence, with improved positioning and communication leading to more attacking opportunities. Lots of goals were scored with all 4 teams losing and beating each other in a very close contest.
1st place – St David’s School (11 points)
2nd place – Oakhyrst Grange School Red (10 points)
= 3rd place – Oakhyrst Grange School Orange team (7 points)
= 3rd place – Oakhyrst Grange School Yellow team (7 points)
Year 3 POTM’s – Max O & Cara M
Year 4 competition:
The children were again divided into 3 equal teams, including a team from St David’s School to make a 4-team round robin competition. The matches were fast-paced from the start, with all teams displaying impressive skills. St David’s too early leads in most of their matches, but our teams responded well by tightening their defence and making strong counter attacks. As the games went on, our teams showed great improvement in teamwork and stick control, leading to some excellent goals.
1st place – St David’s School (15 points)
2nd place – Oakhyrst Grange School Blue (11 points)
3rd place – Oakhyrst Grange School Red (7 points)
4th place – Oakhyrst Grange School Green (3 points)
Year 4 POTM’s – Rhian P, Alice S & Pareesa K
All of our teams should be proud of their efforts, with this being a first competitive experience of hockey for a lot of children. Well done to St David’s on their excellent results and sportsmanship throughout.
Mr Smith & Miss Lomax
Come to Our Next Open Day – see the school in action
Friday 8th and Saturday 9th Of May
10.00 am to 3.00pm Prospective Parent slots will be allocated once interest expressed below.
