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.
U11 Mixed Cricket v Chinthurst – Wednesday 7th May 2025
On Wednesday 7th May, all our Year 6 children enjoyed a competitive afternoon of cricket fixtures against Chinthurst School. Divided into 2 mixed teams, they both produced excellent performances. A brief outline of each tea, is below:
A Team
The A team secured a convincing win by 50 runs, showcasing excellent teamwork and impressive individual skills throughout the match. Their communication and commitment in the field were particularly strong, and they batted with confidence and control, hitting many 4s and 6s along the way. Beyond their performance, the team were also congratulated by the opposition staff for their outstanding sportsmanship – a credit to the school both on and off the pitch.
POTM: Milan P
B Team
The B team, many of whom were playing in their first-ever cricket match, faced a tough challenge against some strong cricketers from Chinthurst. It was a valuable learning experience for the children, who showed great enthusiasm and resilience throughout. There were some brilliant shots on display as well as some good catching, bowling and fielding. Their positive attitude and willingness to learn shined throughout and are raring to go for another opportunity.
POTM: Heath K
Mr David Smith
Head of Sport
Years 3 & 4 Parent and Child Sports Festival – Tuesday 6th May 2025
On Tuesday 6th May, we were delighted to welcome the parents of our Year 3&4 children to our Parent & Child Sports festival. It was a fantastic afternoon of activity, teamwork, fun, and sunshine!
After some energetic warm ups to get everyone moving, the parents and children were divided into seven teams, taking part in 8 athletics and/or cricket challenges. These activities involved a range of skills such as bowling, catching, throwing, batting, javelin throwing, running, and much more. Team Barney emerged as the winning team after scoring the most points across the 8 challenges.
To finish, teams battled it out in a lively and good-natured relay race. Some parents certainly took it very seriously! With glorious weather, a fantastic atmosphere, and enthusiastic participation from everyone involved, it was a special occasion to remember for all.
Mr David Smith
Head of Sport
Judicium School Safety Award – February 2025
We are delighted to be able to proudly display our School Safety Award certificate for attaining high standards of safety management in the workplace and learning environment.
Congratulations to Mr Marek Buchala for all his hard work in helping us to achieve this award.
Mr Alex Gear, Headmaster
Harlequins Rugby Coaching Session – Tuesday 1st April 2025
On Tuesday 1st April, we were very lucky to welcome in Sheree Cooper from the Harlequins Rugby Foundation, for a day of rugby teaching! Sheree Cooper plays for the Harlequins Women’s Rugby team in her ‘prop’ position and was keen to come in to Oakhyrst Grange to deliver some exciting sessions to inspire our children to play rugby. The children were in awe of having a professional rugby player teach them and were inspired by her journey.
Children in Years 2-6 all took part in a session which focused on spatial awareness, ball handling and the most-liked skill by the children… tackling! The older children in particular learnt how to safely tackle an opposing player, as well as learning how to fall safely if tackled themselves. They all fully embraced this challenge and it was great seeing them do something completely new, and even unnatural, to a lot of the children. I even had a go at tackling Sheree, but it came with little success! For the younger children, they learnt how to pass and catch a rugby ball correctly using the terminology ‘pocket to rocket’ and really improved throughout. We definitely have some gifted rugby players within the school.
Hopefully this is a partnership with Harlequins that we can continue with, and we look forward to providing for rugby opportunities to the whole school moving rowards.
Mr David Smith, Head of Sport
The Spring Concert – Thursday 20th March 2025
On Thursday 20th March the school orchestra, choir, ensembles and senior musicians were give the opportunity to perform in the annual Spring Concert.
The evening was opened by the orchestra playing Somewhere over the Rainbow from the Wizard of Oz. This was then followed by 4 soloists. Flute ensemble followed playing All that Jazz.
Some more solos were performed before Cello ensemble who played I see the Light from Tangled. After that, some more brilliant soloists played.
The String ensemble were next performing Theme from Amelie without music! 3 more soloists played followed by Guitar ensemble with Spring.
The last 3 soloists played before Chamber Choir who closed the concert with Beautiful City from Godspell.
A huge thanks to all the Teachers who helped make the concert as wonderful as it was and a big well done to all the performers. The evening was spectacular and packed full of incredible music.
by Amaaya P
Parent and Child PE Lessons – Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th March 2025
On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, we were delighted to host our Parent & Child PE Lessons for our LKG – Year 2 classes. Two beautiful sunny mornings, created the perfect setting for lots of energy and excitement by both the children and their parents. It was wonderful to see so many parents in attendance and they all got themselves fully involved, embracing the challenges, and sharing special sporting moments with their children.
The various PE sessions provided a fantastic opportunity for our children to showcase their skills which they have been learning in PE & Games this term. It included demonstrating some fabulous balancing in gymnastics, to dribbling and scoring in hockey. And we can’t forget the parent v child obstacle races! All of the activities showed the children’s ability to demonstrate responsibility, teamwork, and perform the key fundamental movement skills of agility, balance and coordination. The enthusiasm and support from the parents made the mornings even more special, highlighting the importance of staying active together.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the lessons such a success. We look forward to more opportunities similar to this moving forward.
Mr Smith & Miss Lomax
ESSA Primary Schools Relay Gala at Guildford Specturm – Saturday 15th March 2025
On Saturday 15th March, Amaaya P, Alec W, Caiden H & Daniel H took part in Surrey Schools’ Swimming Association, Primary Schools Relay Gala at Guildford Spectrum.
The team’s first event was the medley relay. OGS were drawn in heat 2.
Alec swam an outstanding backstroke first leg, Amaaya battled hard and kept us in a medal position with her breaststroke, up next came Caiden who had a great front crawl swim and Daniel also swum front crawl with a nail biting finish. OGS finished in bronze medal position with a time of 1.20.15. Only the A teams can medal and progress through to the next round.
After 8 more events, it was time to go again in the freestyle relay. We were drawn in the second heat. The fastest time in heat one was 1.11.42, so something to aim for.
Amaaya was leg one, Caiden two, Daniel Three and Alec brought the team home in a time of 1.11.85. Overall, the team came fourth narrowly missing out on another bronze medal, very well done to you all.
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 on your well deserved bronze medal, you are all amazing and swam so well with the last minute changes.
Thank you to the parents and siblings supporting and cheering on a very hot poolside.
Michelle Evans, Lead Swimming Coach
U10 & U11 Football v Reigate St Mary’s School – Wednesday 12th March 2025
On Wednesday 12th March the U11 girls had a home fixture against Reigate St Mary’s School. They were split into two pitches with U11 And U10 A teams playing on one pitch and U11 & U10 B playing on the other. Both teams had to play both Year 6 and Year 5 teams which meant they were able to get more match play.
All teams played an incredible game working well together making space and following with the ball down the pitch. The goal keepers did a fantastic job defending the ball. All students really worked hard and it was a beautiful afternoon in the sunshine which helped.
We won matches, lost and drew.
Player of the matches
U11 A – Ania S
U11 B – Trinity S
U10 A – Eliza B
U10 B – Sofia C
I would like to thank all parents who came to watch and support the girls. And a huge thank you to Mrs Dance for helping out and being a great support to all teams, it’s very much appreciated!
Well done to all girls who took part in today’s fixture. You should all be extremely proud of yourselves for the hard work you put into these matches.
Miss Lomax
Girls’ Games Teacher
Year 3 – 6 Swimming Gala against Reigate St Mary’s – Thursday 13th March 2025
On Thursday 13th 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 group swimming against each other. They then swam in the freestyle relays. To finish the gala two 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 171 and Oakhyrst Grange School 197 – 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 Mr Smith for helping on poolside.
Mrs M Evans
Lead Swimming Coach
Years 3 & 4 Football matches v Essendene Lodge School – Tuesday 11th March 2025
Many of our children in Years 3 & 4 recently took part in a series of competitive, yet friendly, football matches against our close friends Essendene Lodge School.
It was a fantastic opportunity for all of our boys and some of our girls to gain valuable match experience and develop their skills in a challenging but enjoyable environment.
With separate boys & girls’ competitions, Oakhyrst Grange had 2 x Boys teams and 2 x Girls teams who competed not just against Essendene Lodge, but against each other. They all showed great determination and teamwork, improving their play as each of their 4 games progressed. Nothing could separate our teams from each other, and despite a strong effort, Essendene emerged victorious for both the boys and the girls competition.
Althought the results didn’t go all our way, the matches provided an excellent learning experience, and the teams demonstrated many aspects of our Oakhyrst Grange ‘High-5’ values such as resilience and determination.
Well done to all the children involved and thank you to the parents for their ongoing support.
