Goring Heath, Reading, Berkshire RG8 7SF
10 reasons to choose The Oratory Preparatory School
Top line
The Oratory Preparatory School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 89. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Reading and one of the 3 best primary schools for 3 miles.
School fundamentals
The Oratory Preparatory School is an independent prep day and boarding school for boys and girls (60%/40%) between the ages of 2 and 13 years. Boarding from Year 3 for the 10% of pupils who board. 35% are full boarders and 65% are weekly or flexi boarders. It is a Roman Catholic school, open to all faiths and none. The school has a non-selective admissions policy. It is a standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school, and is a member of the Bellevue Education group. The Oratory Preparatory School fees range from £4,270 (Rec) to £7,691 per term (2025/26). Full boarding fees are £12,647 per term. Fees include VAT but exclude lunches.
Average class size
The Oratory Preparatory School has two classes per year and an average class size of 14 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Destinations for Oratory Prep leavers are one of 20 mainly day, and mainly local, independent schools. About half the girls and 10% of boys leave after Year 6. 30% of boys move onto to the Oratory School (which is now co-ed). Other popular destinations are Abingdon School, Bradfield College, Pangbourne College and Radley College. 20%-30% win awards and scholarships.
The Oratory Preparatory School curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and the ISEB Common Entrance curriculum with some additions and variations. It also includes PSHE, French, Latin. The school offers each pupil between 5 and 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers, Forest School for pre-prep and Years 4 and 7 and residential trips from Year 3. Saturday Morning Enrichment Programme for Years 5 to 8 is a mix of outside speakers and activities.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport, music and languages throughout, for most subjects from Year 3, and for English and maths from Year 5.
Sport at The Oratory Preparatory School
School offers over 15 different sports through the year, through both the curriculum and extra-curriculum. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in football, hockey, rugby 7s.
The Arts at The Oratory Preparatory School
Art, music and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. All pupils learn an instrument in class and 80% take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Three choirs, orchestra and several instrument ensembles. The school offers each pupil over 5 different extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 7.30am to 6.00pm.
Find another school near The Oratory Preparatory School
Cranford Junior School (5.5 miles); Moulsford Preparatory School (5.9 miles); St Andrew’s School, Pangbourne (6 miles); Elstree School (11.2 miles).
Whitchurch Primary School, Reading (2.2 miles); Checkendon Church of England Primary School (2.9 miles); Goring Church of England Primary School (3 miles).
The Oratory School (2.2 miles); Pangbourne College (3.7 miles); Cranford House School (5.5 miles); Bradfield College (6.8 miles).
Langtree School (1.8 miles); Wallingford School (7.9 miles); Kendrick School (8.5 miles).