Study Skills Development
The Oratory School runs dedicated workshops where students sharpen essential academic techniques, helping them work more efficiently while building confidence under pressure. These sessions cover memory enhancement and retention strategies, proper note-taking methods that avoid plagiarism, exam preparation planning, and self-organization skills—all becoming particularly valuable as workloads intensify in upper years.
Spiritual Education
Catholic faith lies at the heart of life here, rooted in the legacy of St. John Henry Newman, whose motto “Heart speaks to heart” shapes an approach that nurtures mind, body, and soul. Daily masses are held in the two chapels for those who wish to attend, with the entire community gathering on Sundays and feast days. The chaplain offers pastoral support and prepares students for sacraments, though pupils of any faith—or none—are welcomed.
Individual Learning Support
Students with special educational needs receive comprehensive assistance at Oratory School, aimed at developing their independence and confidence. Specialists work with those facing various challenges: communication difficulties and autism, social-emotional issues like ADHD and anxiety disorders, sensory impairments, as well as cognitive differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia.
Identification begins during admission through analysis of previous records and assessments like Lucid and CAT. Each child receives a personalized plan that guides teachers in adapting their approach, while two in-house specialists and four visiting tutors provide individual sessions in English, mathematics, and sciences for an additional fee.
Exam Support at The Oratory School
Students with special needs can access exam accommodations approved by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), ensuring they compete on level ground rather than gaining unfair advantages. Common provisions include up to 25% extra time, rest breaks, and permission to type instead of handwriting. Assessment procedures begin no earlier than Third Form for GCSE exams and are conducted by specialists with whom the institution maintains ongoing partnerships, though this comes at separate cost.
