Oswestry School

Founded in 1407, it is one of the oldest non-denominational schools in the country and stands on the edge of the attractive market town of Oswestry, in Shropshire, on the border of England and Wales. It is set in 50 acres of its own grounds and boasts some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain on its doorstep.

Historical it may be, with many traditional virtues encouraged, but Oswestry is also a warm, caring and progressive school which constantly evolves with the times.

Oswestry is one of England’s oldest schools and it is within this environment that pupils follow the School’s motto: ‘We learn not for school but for life’.  The Good School Guide comments ‘A small, traditional British school… with a personal approach. Family values and a close-knit community breeds confidence and stability for all the pupils… a home away from home.’

All pupils, supported and encouraged by an excellent team of staff, are expected to make the most of their abilities.  The size of the School helps us achieve our ethos and our pupils are bright, energetic, confident and, above all, happy.  We are large enough to grant our pupils a feeling of independence and to house many superb facilities, but small enough for each pupil to be well known and make a significant contribution to the School. A combination of the School’s size and a high teacher-per-student ratio allows us to give personalised and consistent care and attention, and to monitor and motivate pupils as they make academic and personal progress.  We are extremely proud of the excellent academic results achieved given our non-selective admission process;  A-levels over recent years have had a 97-100% pass rate and around 90% of GCSE grades were A-C.

Subjects offered at GCSE level include English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Business Studies, Computing, French, Spanish, History, Geography, Music, Religious Studies, Art, Design Technology, Textiles, Food Technology and Sports Studies. Students are taught in small groups by highly qualified and experienced staff.

Our one year GCSE programme enables students to join the mainstream school for part of the normal timetable, in order to ensure they experience a typical English boarding school environment. They attend whole-school assemblies, sporting activities, music and drama competitions and boarding trips and weekend pastimes.

Teaching of the highest standard takes places in classrooms benefiting from the latest technology.  Education is not restricted to the classroom; there are a wide variety of sports to suit everyone, overseen and helped by first-class coaching. Extensive playing fields, gymnasium, netball/tennis courts and a heated indoor swimming pool are some of the sporting environments at Oswestry.  The School enjoys a proud tradition of music and drama, and art and design continue to be strong departments within the School, with several exhibitions held each year. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and the Combined Cadet Force offer opportunities to develop leadership skills, self-reliance and responsibility.

With purpose-designed boarding houses and a study centre, the Sixth Form is regarded as an essential preparation and transition between school and university or the world of work.  Subjects offered include English Literature, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Business Studies, French, Spanish, History, Geography, Music, Photography, Art, Design Technology and Sports Science. Sixth Form lessons are delivered in small groups allowing intensive support and pupils enjoy enormous success with their university applications with most going on to their first choice university. Destinations include Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Warwick, London School of Economics, University College London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and other top universities in the UK and elsewhere. Guidance on university applications is provided by the Head of Sixth Form, personal tutors and both Deputy Heads.  Sixth Form pupils leave Oswestry School having learnt how to respect others as well as themselves and with the desire to fulfil their own individual potential.

There are four comfortable boarding houses on the School site, where boarders are cared for by attentive and dedicated house staff. Each boarding house has a resident Houseparent and Assistant Houseparents and every pupil benefits from a high level of pastoral care; Wi-fi throughout the School campus makes it easy for pupils to stay in touch with home.  The spacious, modern dining hall provides three hot meals a day; food is served as a buffet selection and includes fresh vegetables, fruit and desserts and there is plenty of choice, to ensure all diets are catered for. In addition to the academic programme, a wide range of weekend activities is arranged for the boarding pupils by members of the teaching staff.

‘The school’s high quality of pastoral care supports pupils’ personal development. Staff know their pupils very well and the pupils are confident that they will be listened to and will receive any help or guidance they require. The family atmosphere engenders excellent relationships between staff and pupils and among the pupils themselves.’

ISI Inspection Report

Oswestry is ninety minutes by car from Manchester and Birmingham Airports and forty five minutes from Liverpool.  We offer a fully supervised airport service.  The local train station, situated ten minutes’ drive from the School, has excellent links to London.  For a full insight of what we have to offer at Oswestry School we very much recommend you visit us - you will be guaranteed a personal tour and the very warmest of welcomes.