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.
Mr Gear’s Apprentice for the Day – Thursday 21st March 2024
On Thursday 21st March I had the pleasure of sharing my day with my apprentice, Miss Honor K, Year 1. The day started with Honor leading the cheers in assembly which was followed by her presenting reward stickers to 5 pupils for their musical contribution at the assembly. Honor then took a phone call from Ms Julie Robinson, who is the Chief Executive of the Independent Schools Council. Ms Robinson shared some delightful information about an afternoon tea that she had shared with the late Queen, even though there no marmalade sandwiches available. The next event of the day was to take a trip to Caterham School with Honor and her parents for morning coffee and a tour with Mr Jones, the Headmaster. Mr Jones laid out the red carpet for us and we shared morning coffee and there was an opportunity for Honor to sit in the Headmaster’s chair in Mr Jones’s study. This was followed by a tour of the school with visits to the Art, Music, Science Departments as well as the Library.
I would like to thank Honor for being an excellent apprentice and for making my day much brighter and for giving me such wonderful company.
Mr Alex Gear
Headmaster
Events w/c 18th March 2024
Wednesday 20th
KG and Year 1 Inter-House Swimming Gala – 9.15am – parents welcome
Year 4 Children with Cancer UK Charity Swimming Event during lesson – 2.00pm
Thursday 21st
Years 4, 5 and 6 Inter-House Swimming Gala – 9.15am – parents welcome
Friday 22nd
Years 5 & 6 Easter Assembly – 8.45am
Years 2 & 3 Inter-House Swimming Gala – 9.15am – parents welcome
Selected Years 4 & 5 Caterham School Junior Globetrotting Quiz – 4.00pm
PFOG Spring Pyjama Disco – 6.00pm to 7.30pm
Bronze Medals for the ESSA Team – Saturday 16th March 2024
On Saturday 16th March, Scarlett K, Amaaya P, Daniel H & Jude M took part in Surrey Schools’ Swimming Association, Primary Schools Relay Gala at Guildford Spectrum.
In both small schools’ races (medley and freestyle relays) we came away with a bronze medal, the races were tight and there were some disqualifications. The first 2 teams automatically progress to the next round, Primary Regionals in May, so we have our fingers crossed that OGS are one of the fastest 2 teams from the ranking system to also qualify.
Well done to the OGS team and your well deserved bronze medals, you are all amazing and swam so well with the last minute changes.
Thank you to the parents supporting and cheering on a very hot poolside.
Mrs Michelle Evans
Lead Swimming Teacher
PFOG Experience Day – Monday 11th March 2024
On Monday 11th March 2024 Oakhyrst Grange had an experience day organised by our PFOG. For our experience it was Chinese New Year.
We got to control a dragon made out of fabric and other materials. The other group had beautiful fans and floral parasols. Then we followed the Pearl, which is a person who leads the dragon around the room. We marched around the room lifting the dragon up and down, waving our fans and parasols. Firstly we did a circle and then a spiral followed by a figure of eight and a rectangle. It looked very realistic and the array of colours were beautiful!
This was a great experience, all thanks to PFOG, and we really enjoyed it and had fun all the way.
By Millie T and Akash S, Year 6
Events w/c 11th March 2024
Monday 11th
PFOG Experience Day – children to come to school in MUFTI (no football shirts allowed, please remember sensible shoes and outdoor coat) in exchange for a bottle for the PFOG Summer Fayre
LKG to Year 6 Parents Evening 10 minute appts in the Cameron Hall – 5.00pm to 9.00pm
Tuesday 12th
ABRSM Examinations all day
LKG Children with Cancer UK Charity swimming challenge during swimming lesson 9.00am
Wednesday 13th
Year 3 Residential Trip commences children to be dropped to school at 8.00am
KG Children with Cancer UK Charity swimming challenge during swimming lesson 9.00am
Year 1 Children with Cancer UK Charity swimming challenge during swimming lesson 11.20am
Thursday 14th
Year 4 Residential Trip commences children to be dropped to school at 8.00am
Year 2 Children with Cancer UK Charity swimming challenge during swimming lesson 9.00am
Year 6 Children with Cancer UK Charity swimming challenge during swimming lesson 11.20am
Year 3 Residential Trip returns 3.30pm
Friday 15th
Year 5 Children with Cancer UK Charity swimming challenge during swimming lesson 9.00am
Year 4 Residential Trip returns 3.30pm
Saturday 16th
Selected Years 5 & 6 ESSA Primary National Teams Swimming Gala – 5.15pm meet
It’s a Fish Out – Saturday 9th March 2024
On Saturday 9th March, two year 6 teams took part in “It’s A Fish Out” a life saving competition for primary schools in Surrey held at Dorking Leisure Centre.
Connie, Millie, Maggie & Elissa were in one team and Scarlett, Katie, Surina & Vincent were in the other.
The activities consisted of rope throwing, straddle entries, a relay with head up swimming, ball throwing to a person in the water, questions on water safety, an under water baton relay, treading water, sculling and lifting a brick out of the water by surface diving.
All of the children thoroughly enjoyed this beneficial experience and they had lots of fun working in their teams together.
24 teams took part from 12 schools – our A team came 5th and B team came 17th.
A very big thank you to Mr Burke and Mrs Cox for accompanying the teams around the pool, as I was asked again to be a judge at the event. And lastly a big thank you to the parents and siblings for supporting the children and coming to watch.
Mrs Michelle Evans, Swimming Teacher
Win for OGS – Thursday 7th March 2024
On Thursday 7th March, 32 children from Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 travelled to Reigate Grammar swimming pool to take part in a gala against Reigate St Mary’s. The gala started with the individual races; backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and frontcrawl, there were some really tight finishes and excellent swims from both schools.
Next, all of the children took part in the medley relays, girls and boys from each year groups swimming against each other. They then swam in the freestyle relays. To finish the gala 2 children from each year group took part in a squadron relay.
The gala came to an end after some amazing swims from all the children.The scores were announced – Reigate St Mary’s score was 192 and Oakhyrst Grange School 189– the lowest number was the winning team.
Very well done to the whole swimming team and thank to the parents who helped with the transportation to the gala and Mrs Cox and Mrs Gorman for helping on poolside.
Mrs Michelle Evans, Swimming Teacher
World Book Day – Thursday 7th March 2024
We had a lovely day on Thursday 7th March at Oakhyrst. We were treated to a fantastic parade of wonderful costumes by LKG and KG in our assembly at the start of the day. Then we all went our separate ways to complete a day full of fun book-related sessions.
The activities included designing a new sweet for Willy Wonka in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl, finding out about Paris landmarks after being introduced to “Rooftoppers” by Katherine Rundell, Olympic training after finding out about Jesse Owens from the Little People, Big Dreams series, making stick men after reading “Stickman” by Julia Donaldson and contributing to a whole school display based on “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle.
Everyone agreed that we had an amazing time, doing lots of fun activities, being creative and maybe being inspired to read a new book or two.
Mrs Leyshon, English Co-ordinator and Year 4 Teacher
Events w/c 4th March 2024
Tuesday 5th
Spring Concert – Cameron Hall – 6.00pm
Wednesday 6th
Well-being Wednesday – no homework
Thursday 7th
Off-curriculum World Book Day – Years 2 to 6 children grouped vertically for the day
Years 3 to 6 Swimming Gala away – leave OGS 3.00pm
Friday 8th
LKG Form Assembly – 8.45am
PFOG Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea Party – 3.00pm to 4.30pm – Access BWA Hall via the swimming pool gate (children to be collected from normal sides before going to the tea party)
Oakhyrst pupils meet Dame Kelly Holmes at Caterham’s new Super Charge Sports Centre – Tuesday 27th February 2024
On Tuesday 27th February Oakhyrst Grange School was invited to Caterham school for the opening of their new super charge Sports Centre. I took 6 students (Hartley B, Jacob S, Milan P, Scarlett K, Millie T and Vivienne L) down to take part in an athletics morning trying out new sports equipment. They were split into teams with 4 other schools and rotated round the sports hall trying out lots of activities. Whilst in the midst of all this we had a special guest arrive to greet the children and it was the fabulous Dame Kelly Holmes the two-time Olympic champion.
She walked around watching and talking to the children about all kinds of sport. After they had rotated and finished they sat down and did a 15-minute Q&A with Dame Kelly and got to hear all the incredible stories she had to tell. It was a fantastic morning of sport and a true honour to be in such a presence of a sporting icon.
