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.
Swimming Gala v Royal Russell – Tuesday 27th February 2024
36 children from years 3, 4, 5 & 6 took part in a gala at Royal Russell School, South Croydon and for several children it was their first gala.
The gala started with the individual freestyle races, followed by backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. There were some outstanding swims from our children which led to many exciting close races.
The relays were next, freestyle and medley. Again, there were some nail biting finishes. For the first time we finished with a squadron relay, 2 girls and boys from each year group.
Also, a big thank you to several boys who had to swim up year groups, Mrs Cox and I are so proud of you all, well done!
Thank you to all the parents, grandparents and siblings who came to cheer the team on, we really appreciate your continued support.
I am very grateful to Mrs Cox and Mrs Gorman for supporting me on poolside, without you both, the galas would be difficult to attend.
Overall win for Royal Russell by 27 points.
Mrs Michelle Evans
Swimming Teacher
Events w/c 26.02.24
Tuesday 27th
Selected Years 3 to 6 Swimming Gala away – leave OGS 3.00pm
Wednesday 28th
U11’s Girls Football – home – KO 2.15pm
Thursday 29th
Bags2School collection at drop off today
Friday 1st
Year 1 and KG Form Assembly – 8.45am parents welcome
ISA London South Cross Country National Qualifiers – Tuesday 20th February 2024
On Tuesday 20th February Miss Lomax, Mr Burke and Mr Marek took 21 students to Radnor House School for the ISA London South Cross Country competition to select the qualifiers for the Nationals. 15 other schools were competing for a space to represent the London South in the Nationals in Sheffield.
We started off walking the long course as a group getting familiar with where we would be running.
Group 1 starting the event off was the U9 Girls leading into the U9 Boys, then U11 girls and finishing with the U11 Boys. They all ran extremely well and came pushing through the finishing line with very tired faces but still smiling.
After all the amazing running we found out who came in the top 10 to qualifier for the National ISA Championship Cross Country event which will be taking place on Saturday 2nd March in Sheffield.
Results
Alec W came 1st in U9 Boys
Vivienne L came 2nd in U11 Girls
Isabelle L came 4th in U9 Girls
Bonnie B came 9th in U9 Girls
Scarlett K Came 10th in U11 Girls
Beau P came 4th in the U11 Boys
Jude M came 10th in the U11 Boys
U9 Boys came 2nd in their team event and the U11 girls came 2nd in their team. This was determined on points based on their finishing positions.
Overall I want to say a huge well done to all students who took part in this event after the weeks of Monday lunch time training and dedication to this event.
Thank you to all parents who came and supported the school it was a great turn out.
Thank you to Mr Burke for all the support leading up to this event and on the day and Mr Marek for safely driving us there and back also being a huge support to the students. Truly appreciate it!.
Bring on the ISA National Championship Finals in a weeks time. Very proud teacher moment and Good luck to all finalists.
Miss Lomax
Games Teacher
Events w/c 19.02.24
Monday 19th
Whole school return for second half of Spring Term 2024
Tuesday 20th
Selected U9 & U11 ISA LS Cross Country Event – away leave OGS 12.00noon
U11s Girls’ Hockey Tournament away at Old Cranleighans Hockey Club – Friday 9th February 2024
On Friday 9th February nine Year 6 girls took part in a tournament at Old Cranliaghans Hockey Club. After a long journey we arrived and the girls got themselves warmed up and ready for a busy day of hockey.
Our first game of the group stage was up against Wandsworth Prep and we played extremely well defending our goal and won with 1-0 to Oakhyrst.
The second game we were up against Staines and after really pushing through and working as a team we did lose the match by 3-0.
For our third match we were up against Farmington and played so well and won the match 2-1.
We sadly lost our fourth match against Weston Green A but we did get into the quarter finals and we really tried defending and passing to our team mates but we unfortunately lost out on the semi finals by one point.
I’m an extremely proud teacher of each and everyone one of the girls who took part in the tournament. It was a very rainy and busy day, but I can say they all had big smiles on their faces.
Well done to Emilie, Connie, Scarlett, Millie, Maggie, Tabitha, Myla. Surina and Clara. Keep up the amazing work in sport.
Miss Lomax
Girls Games Teacher
Epsom College Strings Day – Tuesday 6th February 2024
On Tuesday 6th February 8 children from Oakhyrst Grange went to the Epsom College Strings Day. We entered the humungous building and went into a hall with hundreds of green seats. We practiced Avengers, Harry Potter, The Sword Dance and the Hall of the Mountain King for an hour.
Next is was lunch and everyone was starving and stared open mouthed at the chicken nuggets, chips and doughnuts for pudding. After lunch every school played football, it was very challenging and we also took a picture for school.
Suddenly it was time. The teachers called out ‘last rehearsal’. We played harder than ever listening to every word Mr Wickham, our hilarious conductor said. We were called in for afternoon tea which was a muffin and apple juice.
Finally our hearts were racing and anxiety filled our body as we played as loud as we could. The audience clapped as loud as a hundred drums. Thank you to Mrs Stevens, Mrs Budgen and our conductor for such an amazing day.
By Ayush S and Heath K, Year 5
U11 Boys ISA Hockey – Thursday 1st February 2024
On Thursday the 1st of February some boys from Year 5 and Year 6 went to Lee Valley Hockey Centre.
We played four matches to get into divisions. We tied nil nil in our first match. In our second match we lost two nil, our third match we sadly lost one nil and our forth match we played really well but lost two one. We had lunch finally.
We went outside again and we played three matches we won two but two of us won so it went to shuffles. We were placed silver in the bowl. Well done to the boys who participated! Thank you to Miss Lomax and Mr Burke for taking us.
By Milan P and Daniel H, Year 5
Events w/c 5.2.24
Monday 5th
Mental Health Awareness Week commences
Tuesday 6th
Safer Internet Day
Epsom College Strings Day – selected Years 3 to 6 children attending all day
Wednesday 7th
Children with Cancer UK assembly re charity swimming event
Friday 9th
U11s Girls’ Hockey Tournament – away all day leave OGS 7.30am
Year 4 Form Assembly – 8.45am parents welcome
Prospective Parents Open Morning – 10.00am
U11 Oakhyrst v Chinthurst Mixed Hockey Match – Wednesday 31st January 2024
On Wednesday we had a hockey match against Chinthurst. In total Chinthurst won eleven – eight. When we went down we were all excited because we had never heard of this school and were happy to play them. There were three teams so two teams played at once whilst the other rested. The first game we were all nervous, but we soon realised it’s just a fun game.
Tension filled the air as the first goal was scored by Jacob who was on the A team. Everyone was joyous and jumping up and down. Soon everyone got on with their games and time flew by. As we were walking up our tummies were growling. Luckily the amazing cooks had provided us with a scrumptious meal. After our hotdogs we lined up either side of Chinthurst and cheered as they went through.
We went back to our tables and finished our food. Suddenly we heard the words ‘ home time’. We all left knowing we played a good game.
By Isla H and Myla P, Year 6
Events w/c 29.01.24
Tuesday 30.1.24
U8s (Year 3) Mixed Hockey Match – away leave OGS 1.30pm
U9s (Year 4 ) Mixed Hockey Match – home – 2.30pm play-off
Year 4 Class Concert – Cameron Hall – 5.30pm
Wednesday 31.1.24
U10s (Year 5) Mixed Hockey Match – away leave OGS 1.30pm
U11s (Year 6 ) Mixed Hockey Match – home – 2.30pm play-off
