Subjects

Within the six Art and Design studios in the Richard Bull Centre, our pupils have the freedom to develop and express ideas creatively through a range of materials and approaches.

Guided by our experienced team of specialist teachers, who are practising artists in their own right, all pupils from Form 1 (Year 7) to Form 3 (Year 9) take part in a programme of practical arts following our bespoke curriculum.

Large numbers of pupils take one Creative Arts subject to GCSE level. There is a wealth of choice available, including printmaking, textiles, painting or three-dimensional design, exploring architectural design, interior design and sculpture.

In the Upper School, students follow one or more of our A-level or IB Diploma Visual Art courses as part of a broad programme of study, whilst some specialise in the creative subjects in preparation for an arts-related career. History of Art is taught through the A-level Art: Critical and Contextual Studies (CSS) course, where the emphasis is on learning about and writing about art, building a confidence to find your own voice when talking about visual imagery, with a focus on curation, the art market, galleries and museums, which is a key aspect of Art as a whole.

The Biology Department is a well-resourced and vibrant learning environment, within which our experienced and enthusiastic biologists combine exciting teaching methods and academic rigour to inspire a fascination with the natural world in all our pupils.

In the Lower School (Years 7–8), pupils follow Oakham’s own Junior Science Programme, which includes all three pure Sciences weaved into one coherent course, delivered by a team of dedicated teaching staff and technicians.

In Forms 3–5 (Years 9–11), pupils study all three Sciences with subject specialists, following GCSE courses tailored to their needs.

In the Upper School (Sixth Form), students can choose to study Biology at A-level or at Higher or Standard Level in the IB Diploma, with Environmental Systems and Societies a popular subject in a related field that is available at IB Standard Level.

Fieldwork is an important part of our Biology courses and Upper School students participate in an annual residential field course as part of their studies. They also participate in our vibrant Biology Society (BioSoc), which runs an extensive programme of guest nights and lecture visits.

For those students wishing to pursue Biology and related courses beyond Oakham, we run Further Biology classes, and Doc Soc for those interested in applying for Clinical Courses.

Anyone with an interest in working for a company or setting up their own business should study Business.

At Oakham Business is taught post-16 at A-level, BTEC and in the IB Diploma. Our courses aim to develop a critical understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value. We look at how organisations are structured and managed and, in particular, how decisions are made in a dynamic global environment.

Our Department comprises a team of six skilled teachers with a range of expertise and industrial experience that we are keen to share with our students. We draw on many different real world examples in our teaching, using a variety of resources, to enliven and demonstrate the subject.

Business-related degrees are the fastest growing university courses in the world due to their usefulness in employment and this trend is borne out by the high numbers of our students who leave Oakham to pursue business-related subjects in Higher Education.

To further our students’ knowledge of different business models and to reinforce what has been covered in lessons, we offer trips to a diverse range of UK businesses and invite outside speakers to present on exciting and relevant topics. The Freddie Groome Enterprise Challenge is an activity that allows students to create and run their own business.

Our aim at Oakham is to show our pupils how Chemistry forms the basis of everything we need to survive and inspire in them a sense of wonder and delight in this vibrant and exciting subject.

Chemistry at Oakham is very popular, thanks to our team of specialist teachers and science technicians. Practical work is integral to everything we do and pupils benefit greatly from the magnificent facilities we enjoy in the Mehra Faculty of Science.

In the Lower School (Years 7–8), pupils follow Oakham’s own Junior Science Programme, which includes all three pure Sciences weaved into one coherent course, delivered by a team of dedicated teaching staff and technicians.

In Forms 3–5 (Years 9–11), pupils study all three Sciences with subject specialists, following GCSE courses tailored to their needs.

In the Upper School (Sixth Form), students can choose to study Biology at A-level or at Higher or Standard Level in the IB Diploma, with Environmental Systems and Societies a popular subject in a related field that is available at IB Standard Level.

In the Upper School, students can study Chemistry at A-level or in the IB Diploma with Chemical Engineering, Natural Sciences and Medicine popular options for pupils to take their study of Chemistry beyond School.

Citizenship is the study of British society; how it functions legally, politically and economically. It looks at what pupils need to know to play a full part in society as active and responsible citizens and the moral dilemmas this can pose.

The Citizenship Studies GCSE course is an excellent introduction to current affairs, the UK legal system and UK Government institutions with a local, national and global perspective.

After GCSE, the Politics, Economics and Business A-level and IB Diploma courses offer ideal extensions of the subject post-16.

Read Developing Citizenship in an Independent School – Oakham School Case Study  for more information about how Oakham School has been pioneering in its approach to teaching Citizenship.

Latin and Greek have been taught at Oakham School continuously for over four hundred years, and in the 21^st century Classics remains intensely relevant to the modern world. The study of Latin and Greek brings many benefits for pupils’ everyday lives and educational development. It enables pupils to develop their vocabulary, both in English and other languages which derive words from Latin; to learn how to express themselves lucidly and effectively; to respond critically to information; to learn analytical skills through studying a logical grammar; and to engage with some of the finest literature ever written, which still holds the power to move us so many centuries later.

Latin is studied by all pupils in Forms 1 and 2, and may be chosen for study in Form 3, then subsequently at GCSE, A-level or in the IB Diploma.

Greek may be chosen for study in Form 4 at GCSE, and continued for A-level or in the IB Diploma.

Whether it is reading how Odysseus escaped the murderous Cyclops or how 300 soldiers held off an ancient superpower, Classical Civilisation offers pupils the opportunity to interact with some of the most fascinating and intriguing aspects of the ancient world. Myths, art, drama, archaeology and history all play a part in this wide-ranging subject.

Classical Civilisation may be chosen at GCSE without any prior study, and no Latin or Greek is involved. It may also be taken up as a new subject at A-level without prior study.

We are living through a new industrial revolution – an automation revolution – where fewer tasks are being completed by humans. This decrease has, conversely, created millions of jobs in Computer Science industries.

The teaching of Computer Science at Oakham has also undergone a revolution and we have moved away from teaching pupils merely how to use ICT, to helping them to truly understand how computers and other digital devices work and to master computational thinking, a useful thought process that is valued in every industry or discipline.

In Forms Lower 1 to 3 (Years 7–9) pupils have dedicated Computer Science lessons in which theory and core skills are taught in a fun and engaging way with the help of Raspberry Pis, robots, wearable computers and by using a variety of programming languages to achieve exciting results.

In Forms 4 and 5 (Years 10 and 11) GCSE pupils are able to continue to express their creativity computationally by opting to study either Computer Science or iMedia at GCSE. In Forms 6 and 7 (Years 12 and 13) students can extend their computational thinking skills through the study of Computer Science at A-level and in the IB Diploma.

All the world’s a stage.

William Shakespeare

Through our exciting and challenging Drama and Dance curriculum, we aim to nurture artistic and creative talent in all our pupils and instil in them a lifelong love of theatre. All pupils from Form 1 (Year 7) to Form 3 (Year 9) study Dance as part of a programme of Drama and Dance lessons, encouraging them to develop their movement, performance skills and creativity.

In Form 4 (Year 10) students can choose to study GCSE Dance, where they learn about performance, choreography and dance appreciation in a more formal setting.

Post-16 (Sixth Form) students have the option of studying either Drama and Theatre at A-level or Theatre in the IB Diploma without having studied Drama at GCSE.

Our purpose-built dance studio, The Courtyard, provides a fantastic venue for our in-house dance specialists to teach all types of movement and dance styles, including ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz and tap. All Lower School pupils perform in a Dance and Drama Showcase to demonstrate and celebrate their achievements.

In addition to our dance curriculum lessons for pupils from Form 1 (Year 7) to Form 3 (Year 9), we offer extremely popular free weekly classes held on Wednesday evenings, which are open to all ages. In addition to the Lower School Drama and Dance Showcases, pupils of all ages have the opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate their achievements with two annual dance showcases – the first held at the end of the Winter Term and the second held at the end of the academic year.

The design studios and workshops in the Jerwood School of Design provide a large and particularly well-resourced space for pupils to develop their design and engineering skills.

All pupils in Form, from Form 1 (Year 7) to Form 3 (Year 9) are given the opportunity to explore a wide range of design and make activities, to encourage them to use all of the equipment and facilities on offer. The resulting designs include rapid prototype 3D-printed multi-adaptor charging cables, wooden desk tidies, Bluetooth speakers and electronic games. This grounding gives pupils a really enjoyable introduction to designing and making products before choosing to take it further at GCSE level.

Pupils who then go on to study GCSE DT develop their creativity and imagination further to design and make prototypes that consider their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

Post-16 students can choose between A-level and IB Diploma Design Technology courses, which offer students the chance to develop a broad view of Design and Technology, and to really appreciate the relationship between design, materials, manufacture and marketing.

Pupils are able to participate in the many educational trips and visits that we organise to destinations that include museums, factories, and the biennial trip to Bologna.

Through our exciting and challenging Drama and Dance curriculum, we aim to nurture artistic and creative talent in all our pupils and instil in them a lifelong love of theatre. All pupils from  Form 1 (Year 7) to Form 3 (Year 9) study a programme of Drama and Dance, encouraging them to develop their movement, performance skills and creativity.

In Form 4 (Year 10) students can choose to study GCSE Drama, which provides them with an introduction to skills required for creating theatre. There is an option to do technical elements, such as lighting, make-up, and set design, as well as performance.

Post-16 (Sixth Form) students have the option of studying either Drama and Theatre at A-level or Theatre in the IB Diploma. In both courses, there is a strong emphasis on studying texts and practitioners, as well as students creating and performing devised and scripted pieces of theatre.

We strive to give our students as many opportunities as possible to watch live theatre and regularly take them on theatre trips, both as part of the curriculum and as optional excursions. We also invite professional companies to visit the School and work with students of all ages.

Many of our students go on to pursue professional training in the theatre, achieving destinations such as RADA, LAMDA, Guildhall, Mountview and École internationale de théâtre Jacques Lecoq.

Whether you are a consumer, worker, homeowner or the government, the work of economists influences our lives. In recent years the UK has experienced its most turbulent times since the 1930s and issues such as interest rates, unemployment, and inflation have regularly been making the headlines.

At Oakham we aim to teach our students how to understand the theory behind the news stories. Through a variety of exciting and innovative approaches to teaching, underpinned by academic rigour, our team of experienced teachers deliver our A-level and IB Diploma courses to pupils in Forms 6 and 7 (Sixth Form). The quality of our teaching and the excellent results that we enjoy have contributed to our status as one of the most popular subjects in the Upper School.

As well as helping our students to cultivate an understanding of how economies operate, our Economics courses also develop skills that will prepare them for life beyond Oakham: library research skills, citing and referencing, logical thinking to name but a few. We also encourage students to read as widely as possible around the subject to deepen their knowledge of economic concepts.

Beyond the classroom, in order to broaden our students’ learning experience, we regularly host visiting speakers and trips to external lectures.

The careful acquisition of language and the ability to write freely, inventively and accurately are central to our teaching of English. Our aim is to ensure that each pupil achieves their full potential in their time at Oakham, and to instil a joy in the subject.

The English Department comprises a close-knit group of subject specialists, who are committed to sharing their own enthusiasm for the subject, to students of all ages.

In the Lower School (Years 7–8), we focus on consolidating spelling, punctuation and grammar, as well as promoting good habits, such as alert and intelligent reading. The weekly library lessons are central to reinforcing our pupils’ love of reading through the reading schemes that have been established in conjunction with library staff.

In Form 3 (Year 9), unfettered by public exams, we focus on providing a transition to GCSE by exploring texts and styles of writing and enhancing pupils’ skills.

At GCSE pupils follow courses in English Language and English Literature.

Post 16 students can study English Literature at A-level or in the IB Diploma and ensure those seeking to pursue English beyond School are very well prepared for making their university applications, through Oxbridge classes, extension sessions, and, where possible, theatre trips.

Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) is the study of environmental issues and their impact on today’s society. We study topical subjects, such as: global warming, energy security, conservation of biodiversity, pollution management, agricultural systems, sustainability and carrying capacity.

At Oakham ESS is taught at Standard Level in the IB Diploma and is a good choice for students who also have an interest in Biology, Geography, Politics and Economics. The course is designed to promote holistic thinking about environmental issues through exploration of cultural, economic, ethical, political, and social interactions of societies with the environment. Throughout the course we aim to develop in students a sound understanding of the interrelationships between environmental systems and societies and to help them see the significance of choices and decisions that they make in their own lives.

The subject is taught with enthusiasm and through a variety of activities. Course highlights include: fieldwork that students carry out both locally and at an annual residential field course; external speakers and former pupils, who give talks about their experiences; and visits to Twycross Zoo, Rutland Water and other conservation areas.

The first language of 129 million people worldwide and spoken by 220 million across five continents, French has a broad appeal. It possesses a strong diplomatic, literary and cinematic heritage and is closely associated with the worlds of fine dining, hospitality and fashion.

At Oakham, French is a core subject studied by nearly all students to GCSE and by many beyond. It is one of the most popular subjects in the Upper School (Sixth Form) with students studying French at A-level or in the IB Diploma.

The Department comprises specialist teachers and language assistants whose aim is to foster a love of French language and culture among our pupils. We deliver all our courses using a variety of exciting, interactive resources and constantly aspire to teach ‘beyond the coursebook’ by exposing our students to authentic materials and literary texts.

We offer many opportunities to inspire in our pupils a love of French, including language-themed days, visiting theatre companies, competitions, and cross-curricular projects. In the Upper School students have the chance to do work experience in a French city and we offer many extra-curricular activities through Le Cercle Français (French Society).

To study Geography is to learn about the issues that affect us and the world on a daily basis.

At Oakham the Geography Department is busy, innovative and full of enthusiastic geographers, both students and staff. The Department offers a practical, enquiry-based approach to learning, with the aim of encouraging students to become geographers by making use of our excellent resources, fieldwork and study visits. A wide range of field trips to interesting locations ensure that students of all ages are able to apply and enhance their classroom knowledge.

Our team has a wide range of interests within the broader subject and the Department is active in local and national geographical organisations.

Geography is studied by nearly all pupils to GCSE, with high numbers opting for the subject post-16. All students make frequent use of our wide-ranging interactive resources.

Our results are excellent and it is a popular choice for study at university.

The second most widely spoken language in Europe, and a useful language in the world of business technology and engineering, German is also the medium through which some of the greatest works of music, literature and science have been created.

German is taught in a dynamic and engaging way throughout the School from Form 2 (Year 8) through to the Upper School (Sixth Form) at A-level and in the IB Diploma.

While pair work, group work, and teacher-led activities are the mainstay of languages classes, lesson styles and resources are diverse. Students immerse themselves not only in the German language but also in the culture of the country. Alongside the subject-specific skills such as an appreciation of grammar and of cultural norms, students gain broader abilities, such as confidence in public speaking. They also develop the ability to see things with a global perspective, understanding what it is to be German through, by example, exploring the differences between English and German customs.

To enhance our pupils’ cultural and linguistic knowledge beyond the classroom, we run language-themed days, an exchange programme with the Werner Heisenberg Gymnasium in Weinheim, Germany for pupils in Forms 3 and 4 (Years 9 and 10), competitions, and trips to German cities.

History is perhaps more popular than ever before as people discover not only the joys of a good historical story but also its importance in understanding the world and its people today.

All pupils at Oakham study History until the end of Form 3 (Year 9). It is a popular choice at GCSE and at A-level and in the IB Diploma.

The History Department delivers a broad and exciting curriculum that stimulates pupils’ enthusiasm. The talented and eclectic staff members take real pleasure in the study and sharing of their subject; lively and intelligent teaching is complemented by a wide range of trips, visits, workshops and lectures that help bring history to life.

Pupils studying History not only learn the subject but also gain invaluable transferrable skills, such as research, assimilation, comprehension and analysis of material; the formulation of reasoned interpretation, and the development of an ability to communicate clear and coherent judgements.

Many Oakhamians choose to study History at university level and we provide thorough preparation for this through extension classes, including Oxbridge preparation.

Derived from the language of the Ancient Romans, Italian is the language of art, food, and music.

Italian is taught ab initio (from scratch) in Forms 6 and 7 (Years 12 and 13) as part of the IB Diploma.

We firmly believe in enabling our students to use Italian as quickly as possible and employ a wide variety of teaching methods and techniques to accomplish this. There is great emphasis on getting our students to speak and write in Italian from day one, with students enjoying conversation classes with an Italian Language Assistant.

Inspired by their experience and success in the language at School, a number of our students regularly go on to study Italian at university.

Mathematics has been studied for millennia, for reasons both practical and poetic, and fluency with mathematical ideas is central to a diverse range of fields.

Taught to all pupils from Form 1 (Year 7) to GCSE, our large department of subject specialists provide a strong foundation of mathematical skills for all our students to help them achieve their potential.

At post-16 level, many students choose to study Mathematics at A-level, where they study a mixture of Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Statistics. We also offer the full Further Mathematics course, which provides a very thorough grounding for university-level study in Mathematics or related subjects, and leads to two A-levels.

Mathematics is a core component of the IB Diploma. We are proud to offer Higher Level Analysis & Approaches (AA), Standard Level Analysis & Approaches (AA), and Standard Level Applications & Interpretations (AI).

Beyond the curriculum, we regularly enter the UKMT Mathematical Challenges, both individually and in the team competitions, and regularly have competitors reach the Olympiad and European Kangaroo follow-up stages.

Our large and thriving Music Department aims to nurture in all our pupils a love of music and performance.

Class music lessons form part of the academic timetable for every pupil in Form Form 1 to Form 3 (Years7 to 9). Pupils explore a wide range of units developing skills in listening, performing and composing, with units devised to enthuse pupils and stretch the most able. As well as class singing, pupils have the opportunity to use musical instruments from different musical cultures around the world. There are opportunities for all pupils to showcase their work with performances in the School’s Chapel in Forms 1 and 2 (Years 7 and 8) and at a professional concert venue in Form 3 (Year 9).

A good number of pupils opt to take GCSE Music, with pupils achieving excellent results, particularly in the composition and performance components of the course.

In the Upper School (Sixth Form), pupils study Music at A-level, where they study set works in detail, develop listening skills and contextual understanding. Students continue their musical studies beyond Oakham every year at universities and music colleges. We regularly seek to enrich the curriculum with concert visits, particularly for those studying public examination courses.

Physics is the subject that attempts to understand the rules that make our universe work the way it does – the so-called ‘Laws of Physics’.

The Oakham Physics Department is a stimulating environment in which to work and study. It has superb resources and its teachers are experienced physicists with a range of specialisms and research backgrounds, who are all committed to inspiring in our pupils a love of Physics.

In the Lower School (Years 7–8), pupils follow Oakham’s own Junior Science Programme, which includes all three pure Sciences weaved into one coherent course, delivered by a team of dedicated teaching staff and technicians.

In Forms 3–5 (Years 9–11), pupils study all three Sciences with subject specialists, following GCSE courses tailored to their needs.

In the Upper School (Sixth Form), students can study Physics at A-level or the IB Diploma, both of which require a deep level of understanding and a willingness from students to undertake their own research and analysis. Further Physics sessions are offered to all whose ambitions are set higher than the standard A-level diet.

Each year, students are offered the opportunity to enter the British Physics Olympiad and the Senior Physics Challenge. Beyond these theoretical exams, we also make use of our extensive industrial links to open up engineering initiatives such as CREST and Industrial Cadets Gold.

Politics is the study of power: how power is used and abused by our leaders, how power is distributed, and how decisions by those in power affect our lives.

As the 21st century continues to unfold, political knowledge is fast becoming one of the most recognised subject areas that could be instrumental in addressing some of the major challenges facing the country. At Oakham our teaching encourages dialogue and debate, nurturing students’ capacity to interpret competing and contestable claims, to help them achieve maximum enjoyment and success from the subject.

Politics is a popular subject, which is offered to students in the Upper School (Sixth form) at A-level and in the IB Diploma. Many Politics students leave Oakham to study a diverse range of university subjects such as Politics, Law, Journalism, History, English, Economics and, of course, International Relations.

Our Model United Nations (MUN) activity is a must for pupils who are interested in studying Politics beyond School.

Psychology aims to investigate human behaviour from a scientific point of view. It is a popular subject choice at post-16 level and is available to study at A-level and in the IB Diploma.

Through discussion and immersive learning, students studying Psychology explore the intricate relationship between internal factors, such as memory, emotion and thought, and external influences, such as culture, parents and the media. Enrichment opportunities include a range of trips and university lectures to enable students to see the application of Psychology around them and possible career prospects available to them.

There has never been a more exciting or important time to study Religion: our increasingly globalised world, the threat of religious terrorism and the rapid rise of multi-faith societies mean that understanding and critically analysing religious beliefs is essential in contemporary society. We do not study religious beliefs and practices with the aim of becoming religious, but for the purpose of understanding and engaging with them, so that we might be able to respond more effectively to modern issues and conflict.

Philosophy, whilst a separate subject in its own right, is a natural companion subject to Religion and the two have been studied alongside each other for thousands of years. Philosophy provides the tools to help us study religion; the critical evaluation of ideas, the questioning mind and the relentless pursuit of the truth. It also forces us to confront the central questions of our being: what does it mean to be human? What is my purpose? How should I live? Who should I become?

Taught by passionate subject specialists at every stage, Oakhamians study Religion and Philosophy until the end of Form 3 (Year 9) and can then choose to continue their studies at GCSE. In the Upper School (Sixth Form), the Department offers separate A-level Philosophy and Religion and Philosophy courses, and Philosophy in the IB Diploma.

We offer pupils the opportunity to begin what we hope will be a life-long love affair with all things Spanish from Form 2 (Year 8). A popular choice of language at GCSE, many students continue their study of Spanish post-16 choosing between A-level or IB Spanish, the latter being an increasingly popular option for students not only to continue their Spanish at Higher and Standard Levels but starting from scratch with the ab initio course.

Our vibrant and dynamic subject specialists, aided by Spanish conversation class teachers, deliver our exciting courses to all year groups using the latest interactive resources, as well as a wealth of materials gathered over the years.

Beyond the classroom, to broaden our students’ linguistic and cultural knowledge, we run a two-night ‘lightning visit’ to Spain for Form 6 (Year 12) pupils and an annual Study Trip for Form 7 (Year 13) students for a full week of immersion.

In addition we offer a rich and varied programme of extra-curricular activities, including visits from outside speakers, film nights and participation in national competitions.

Sports Science explores the many aspects underpinning the science of our body while exercising. Our innovative courses, experienced teachers and fantastic facilities have led to the increasing popularity of this subject – the Sports Science Laboratory, located in the Mehra Faculty of Science, is one of the top school laboratories in the UK and is home to the latest specialist equipment and resources to aid learning.

At Oakham, pupils can study Sports Science GCSE in Forms 4 and 5, and post-16 as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma (SEHS), A-level or BTEC courses. All of these programmes of study provide a demanding and scientific approach to the subject, with opportunities to explore both the practical and theoretical aspects of Sports Science. This includes visits to leading universities for lab-based physiology testing, and the possibility of experiencing background work conducted at elite, professional sports clubs such as the Leicester Tigers.