The Oratory Prep School
Goring Heath, Reading, Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, South East · RG8 7SF
Set in Goring Heath near Reading, The Oratory Prep School is a small Roman Catholic independent school for boys and girls aged two to thirteen. Founded in 1969, it offers both day and boarding places to a roll of around 312 pupils, giving it an intimate scale where children are likely to be well known to staff. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education quality and personal development, and found it fully compliant with regulatory standards. Around one in six pupils receives some form of SEN support, suggesting a school accustomed to looking after a range of learning needs.
312
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£23,073
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 2-13
- Pupils
- 312
- Location
- Goring Heath, Reading, Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, South East
- Website
- https://www.oratoryprep.co.uk/
- Telephone
- 0118 9844511
Headteacher
Headmaster Andrew De Silva
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Teaching & academics
The school's ISI judgement of excellent for the quality of pupils' academic and other achievements points to consistently strong standards across the prep years. As a school running from age two to thirteen, it prepares children through the full primary phase towards senior school entry at the end of Year 8. The relatively high proportion of pupils receiving SEN support indicates that learning is tailored where it is needed.
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 16.44%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Beyond the classroom
Boarding adds a further dimension to school life, with boarders given access to their devices on set evenings before they are locked away securely. The wider day population keeps phones out of school altogether, encouraging a focus on activities and community during the school day.
Ethos & heritage
- Founded
- 1969
- Religious character
- RC
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
Children are not permitted to bring mobile phones into the school. Boarders have access to their devices on set nights of the week. The devices are then locked away securely.
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £12,810 - £23,073
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £32,094 - £37,941
Means-tested bursaries available
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 25 February 2025
The last word
A small Catholic prep school in the Oxfordshire countryside with top ISI marks and a flexible day-and-boarding model. Means-tested bursaries help widen access beyond the published fees.
The Passmate verdict
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The Oratory Prep School 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is The Oratory Prep School located?
The Oratory Prep School is located at Goring Heath, Reading, Goring Heath, Reading, Oxfordshire, RG8 7SF.
What type of school is The Oratory Prep School?
The Oratory Prep School is an independent (fee-paying) school in South East.
How many pupils attend The Oratory Prep School?
The Oratory Prep School has approximately 312 pupils on roll.
What is The Oratory Prep School's inspection rating?
The Oratory Prep School is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 25 February 2025.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.