The School was founded in 1860 by the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters resident in Abingdon still have a role in the life of the School, helping to strengthen the ethos of integrity and warmth that are two of its special characteristics. Christian principles and teaching are at the heart of all that we do, although we welcome boys and girls of every faith or none. OLA aims to develop individual talents of each pupil, believing that every human being is created to become a unique person with gifts that need to be recognised and valued.

 

 

OLA Junior School, which takes boys and girls from the age of three, is on the same site and also shares many of the Senior School facilities. Almost all of the Junior School pupils move on to the Senior School at the age of eleven. The rest of the Senior School intake is drawn from a range of State and Preparatory Schools, some a considerable distance away. Many children make use of the comprehensive school bus service on offer.

 

We first welcomed boys into the Senior School In September 2009, when they were admitted to Year 7 and the Lower Sixth. By September 2013 the whole school will be co-educational.

 

The facilities on offer are extensive. Building programmes over recent years have provided excellent teaching facilities for subjects across the curriculum including a spacious Sixth Form Centre and a purpose built Nursery. A major building programme was recently completed. This included a new auditorium, drama studio, science laboratory, exhibition and reception area, teaching space and library/resource centre. We have since extended the Sixth Form Centre, and added a seventh science laboratory in the main building. IT facilities are excellent and interactive whiteboards have been installed in key areas of the School. In the Junior School a second Year 6 classroom was added to the facilities.