The Oratory School

The Oratory School
Location
, ,
RG8 0PJ

England
Coordinates51°31′57″N 1°03′30″W / 51.532562°N 1.058421°W / 51.532562; -1.058421
Information
TypePublic School
Private day and boarding
MottoLatin: Cor ad cor loquitur
(Heart speaks to heart)
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic Oratorian
Established1859
FounderSaint John Henry Newman
Local authorityOxfordshire
Department for Education URN123282 Tables
PresidentNicholas Purnell
Chairman of the GovernorsFrank Gargent
Head masterMatthew Fogg
GenderBoys and Girls
Age11 to 18
Enrolment373
Houses5
Colour(s)Oratory gold & black    
PublicationThe Oratorian
The Buzz
Former pupilsOld Oratorians
Websitewww.oratory.co.uk

The Oratory School (/ˈɒrətɒri/) is an HMC co-educational private Catholic boarding and day school for pupils aged 11–18 located in Woodcote, 6 miles (9.7 km) north-west of Reading, England. Founded in 1859 by John Henry Newman, The Oratory has historical ties to the Birmingham Oratory and the London Oratory School.

Although a separate entity from the nearby Oratory Preparatory School, it shares a common history. Newman founded the school with the intention of providing boys with a Catholic alternative to Eton College. Until 2020, when it first admitted girls, it was the only boys’ Catholic public school left in the United Kingdom. According to the Good Schools Guide (last review: Oct 2021), the school is “an active choice for families looking for a small, nurturing environment."

The Oratory has received the highest grade of 'Excellent' for both Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI Report: Nov 2021) categories: pupils’ academic & other achievements and pupils’ personal development.