History
For more than 75 years, Oakhyrst Grange School has been at the heart of the local community, providing a nurturing and inspiring education for generations of children.
Founded in 1950 as a private day school for boys, Oakhyrst Grange quickly established a reputation for combining academic excellence with a warm, family atmosphere where every child was encouraged to thrive. In 1957, the school moved to its current home on Stanstead Road in Caterham. Set within five acres of beautiful Surrey grounds and woodland, the charming Victorian house has provided an exceptional setting for learning for almost seventy years.
A significant milestone came in 1973 when the school became a charitable trust, securing its future as a not-for-profit educational organisation dedicated to serving children and families. Throughout its history, Oakhyrst Grange has remained true to its founding values while continually evolving to meet the needs of modern education. In 2025 Oakhyrst became a charitable incorporated organisation.
In 2026, Oakhyrst Grange entered an exciting new chapter by joining the Caterham Family of Schools. This partnership brings together schools that share a commitment to educational excellence, innovation and outstanding pastoral care. As part of the Caterham Family, Oakhyrst continues to benefit from its own distinctive identity and close-knit community, while enjoying enhanced opportunities for pupils and staff through collaboration, shared expertise and access to a wider network of educational excellence.
Today, Oakhyrst Grange is a thriving co-educational preparatory school for children aged 3 to 11. Small class sizes, specialist teaching and exceptional pastoral care ensure that every child is known personally, feels heard and valued, and is supported to achieve their very best. Our commitment to academic excellence is matched by our dedication to nurturing confident, kind and resilient young people who develop a lifelong love of learning.
While much has changed since 1950, the school’s ethos remains the same: to provide a caring and inspiring environment where children are encouraged to be curious, embrace challenge and fulfil their potential. Generations of Oakhyrst pupils have gone on to flourish at independent, grammar and maintained senior schools before embarking on successful and fulfilling lives beyond the classroom.
As we celebrate more than 75 years of educational excellence, we look to the future with confidence. Building on our rich heritage and strengthened by our place within the Caterham Family of Schools, Oakhyrst Grange remains committed to providing an exceptional education where every child is inspired to learn, grow and succeed.
