Oakhyrst Grange School joins the Caterham Family of Schools

Thriving and much-loved Surrey prep school, Oakhyrst Grange School, has confirmed it will join the multi award-winning Caterham Family of Schools. The move cements a decades-long relationship between the schools and will see Oakhyrst’s exceptional academic, pastoral and co-curricular offer strengthened even further.

Oakhyrst Grange has recently celebrated national recognition after receiving a 2026 Pearson National Teaching Award Bronze Award for Early Years Team of the Year, reflecting the strength of its nurturing and innovative provision for younger learners. With small class sizes, a strong focus on academic excellence and an outstanding track record of senior school offers and scholarships, Oakhyrst pupils are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their educational journey.

Caterham School is the only UK school to achieve three Key Areas of Strength in an ISI Inspection and was named the Times Educational Supplement’s Best UK Senior School. Caterham has long been recognised for innovation, digital learning and wellbeing alongside an outstanding academic profile.

Oakhyrst Grange School’s Headteacher, Mrs Gemma Mitchell, will continue to lead the school, which will also retain its dedicated governing body. The move comes from a position of strength for both schools: Oakhyrst pupils secured outstanding senior school destinations including 29 scholarships from its Year 6 cohort.

Mrs Gemma Mitchell, Headteacher of Oakhyrst Grange School, said: “This is a partnership between schools that have worked closely together for many decades, with so many pupils and families connected across both communities. Joining the Caterham Family of Schools enables Oakhyrst Grange School to retain its unique character, warmth and strong sense of community, whilst continuing to strengthen and develop our educational offer for the future.  I am particularly pleased that we are aligning with a family of schools that combines educational excellence with a strong commitment to supporting the development, wellbeing and aspirations of every child.

“Joining a family of schools brings operational benefits and, most importantly, exciting opportunities for our pupils and families. Parents can be confident that their children will continue to enjoy the happy, successful and well-rounded education they chose at Oakhyrst, whilst being fully prepared and supported for whichever senior school they go on to beyond us. Pupils applying to Caterham School will also benefit from the opportunity of early offers and a smoother transition process, without the need to sit an 11+ examination, should Caterham be their chosen destination.”

Ceri Jones, Headmaster at Caterham School said, “Both schools have given their wholehearted support to the new partnership, and this relationship will enable us to build on a shared educational vision and purpose, and a culture of excellence underpinned by wellbeing and innovation. I extend a very warm welcome to pupils, families and staff at Oakhyrst Grange School to the Caterham Family.”

The Caterham Family of Schools encompasses Caterham School, led by Headmaster Mr Ceri Jones, and Caterham Prep, led by Executive Headmaster Ben Purkiss. Copthorne Prep School joined the family of schools in 2023 and The Hawthorns School in 2024. Caterham School is also the founding school of the East Surrey Learning Partnership, a group of independent and state-maintained schools working together as equal partners to further educational opportunity for young people across the local area.