Support Us

Amongst the many distinctive features of the Catholic community is its appetite to give generously of its time, energy, expertise and such monies as it can reasonably spare in order to support and extend the mission of the Church in education.
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Support Us

Amongst the many distinctive features of the Catholic community is its appetite to give generously of its time, energy, expertise and such monies as it can reasonably spare in order to support and extend the mission of the Church in education. Indeed, amongst the earliest fruits of widespread public subscription was the fourteenth century construction of Milan Cathedral - still a work in progress, some 500 years later! With this in mind, the set of links to the right set out just a few of the ways in which you may be able to support the School in its educational mission, whether through the gift of your time, expertise, or through such funds as you feel able to spare - whatever the kind of giving, and whatever the amount, please do be assured of our sincerest gratitude. We very much welcome and encourage involvement at any level and commend it as the best way to really feel a part of the journey!  Don't forget, we'll also be coming to you for support and advice at such events as you may be able to help, such as careers evenings, work placements, sixth form talks, etc, etc . . .

If you feel able to give, in any way, or would simply like to put what you are able to offer on our radar, then please do contact the development office on devoffice@los.ac

Here is a quick guide to what's what when it comes to making a contribution:

  1. FLOS: this is a voluntary monthly parental subsidy that is spent on enabling us to deliver the kind of curriculum we do.
  2. The Foundation: this is a larger scale, targeted fundraising charity that sits outside the formal structure of the School, but has the purpose of raising monies for buildings.
  3. The Faber Society: this is a way in which bequests and legacies to the School can be made and managed.
  4. The London Oratorians: this is essentially an alumni organisation, open to pupils and parents past and present, offering a range of social events.
  5. The Choral Society: this is an integrated choir, comprising of pupils and parents past and present, and engages in rehearsals and performances, and, the odd music inspired social!
  6. Rugby Committee: a group of hugely supportive parents, who assist with the social and, in some cases, training side of rugby.

The Friends of The London Oratory School

The Friends of the London Oratory School (FLOS) is the committee that oversees the voluntary monthly subsidy graciously and generously paid by parents to the School, if they feel able so to do. Such a subsidy is absolutely vital to supporting the School in its mission: without it, much of what goes to make up the distinctive flavour of the School would be under threat. It is spent directly on funding the delivery of the School curriculum (not buildings), and thus goes to fund a variety of initiatives, in addition to ensuring we can recruit and retain high calibre teaching staff.  Without it, we would not be able to offer the rich package of enrichment that is such a distinctive feature of the School.  For further information regarding the Parental Contribution Scheme, you can contact the Friends Office on 020-7381-7648 or email devoffice@los.ac

Foundation

Whereas FLOS raises funds from the monthly parent subsidy to spend on the curriculum, the Foundation raises funds to spend on first class educational facilities: buildings, in short. Recent Foundation projects have facilitated a new ICT learning resource area, the refurbishment of the Science laboratories and a Study Hall for 120 pupils, amongst many others. Current proposed projects include investment in onsite sporting facilities, such as cricket nets and a major gym refurbishment. The Foundation tends to deal in large scale donations intended to future proof the School for the long term. It also exists to encourage and foster the interest and financial support of past pupils, their parents and other friends of the School through a series of signature events, both low key, such as the quiz night and higher register, such as the Annual Gala Ball - to which all parents, whether donors or otherwise, are most welcome!

If you would like to know more about the Foundation, or indeed make a donation then please do contact the Headmaster's PA at execpa@los.ac to arrange a mutually convenient time to advance the conversation.

Securing The Future of One of Our Leading State Schools

The London Oratory School is one of our leading state schools. For over 150 years it has been educating pupils from across Greater London, in accordance with the principles and teachings of the Catholic Church, in an environment which is nurturing and supportive, helping each pupil to discover his/her potential and to achieve excellence across a broad spectrum of activities.

The purpose of The London Oratory School Foundation is to “future proof” the School. It will do this in two ways:

  • In a world of increasing uncertainty and financial strictures, the establishment of an endowment fund will allow the School to face, with confidence, the challenges of the future. An endowment fund (in effect a contingency fund) will afford the School the financial flexibility to act decisively in its best interests whenever necessity demands. The endowment fund will be invested for capital growth. Normally the interest from the fund will be deployed by the School to meet unforeseen contingencies with significant financial implications, that cannot be met from normal operating budgets.
  • To raise the funds necessary to offer staff and pupils the highest standard of teaching, learning and administrative facilities. For example, there is currently a pressing need for a covered sports area outside the Newman Wing, the cost of which will be met by the work of the Foundation.

The Foundation will raise funds from alumni and other members of the wider school community as well as grant making trusts and corporate entities.

The Foundation was launched on 22 April 2015 and its work will offer the opportunity for alumni, parents and other friends and supporters to be closely involved with The London Oratory School during one of the most significant periods in its history.

Patrons of the Foundation
Julie Etchingham
The Very Reverend Julian Large
Paul and Michelle Ward

Trustees of the Foundation
‍
Gerard O’Doherty
Daniel Wright - Headmaster


Alice Robinson- Secretary
t: 020 7381 7648
e: devoffice@los.ac

The London Oratory School Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales.
Company no. 8926558
Charity no. 1158059

To read our Case for Support, which explains how you might support the work of the Foundation please click here.

If you would like to make an online donation to the Foundation, please click on the "DONATE NOW"  button at the bottom of this page.

Donate Now

Past Events

Foundation Open Evening 2017
A talk about the work of the Foundation followed by Q&A with the Trustees and staff involved.

Foundation Reception
A drinks reception for supporters of the Foundation took place at the School on 30th November 2016.  To read more click here.

City Lunch 2016
The second in the series of City Lunches took place at Central Court. Click here to read more.

Sports Dinner
The first fundraising event in support of the Foundation held at Chelsea Football Club. To read more please click here.

City Lunch 2015
The Foundation sponsored a lunch event at One Cornhill to raise awareness of its work. To read more please click here.

ITN Breakfast
A breakfast meeting was hosted by the Foundation at ITN studios to raise awarness of its work. To read more please click here.

Foundation Launch
The Foundation was launched on 22nd April 2015 at the School. Click here to read more.

Faber Society

LEAVING A LEGACY FOR THE LONDON ORATORY SCHOOL.

As the recently appointed Headmaster of The London Oratory School, and a relatively new addition to this prestigious institution, it is my great privilege and pleasure to introduce myself to you.

Although I have only recently taken up the post, I have been particularly struck by the high regard and warm affection with which former pupils, parents and the wider community esteem the School. This should not have come as a surprise, as the wider Catholic community has always valued its educational and religious institutions, guarded them zealously and supported them actively, whether the climate has been favourable, or otherwise.

Indeed, as an historian, it should not have escaped my attention that our earliest recorded instances of formal fundraising activity can be readily linked to the activities of religious faith.  Whether the glories of Milan Cathedral in 1368, the numerous chantries that once made up the landscape of pre-reformation England, or, indeed, the centrality of the Church plate in the raising of monies to re-found Catholic schools after the restoration of the hierarchy in these isles in 1850, all speak of the importance of legacy donations to the sustenance of the Catholic community across time and space.

In this context, I would very much like to invite you to consider joining The Faber Society. By joining The Faber Society, I encourage you to make a contribution to the enduring success of the School by making provision for The London Oratory School in your will. If you are able to make a legacy pledge, as a token of our gratitude, we would very much like to invite you to a biennial lunch to celebrate your generosity and to thank you in person.  

I do very much hope that you might consider completing the Legacy Pledge Form, available below. Your role in securing the present and future prosperity of the School is an incredibly valuable contribution, and, I know, would place its beneficiaries in a debt of personal gratitude to which we would all be inspired to live up to, and to equal. We, and successive generations, will be sure to steward and safeguard your very kind legacy donation towards the intention of a spiritual, ritualistic, moral and intellectual Catholic education, so very much at the service of the common good, and so absolutely vital to the continuation of the Gospel ministry of Jesus’ teaching to the times and to the people of today and to successive generations of youngsters.

London Oratorians

The London Oratorians (formerly The Old Oratorians) is a membership organisation for former pupils, former and current members of staff and former and current parents. All eligible people are automatically members – there is no registration paperwork or membership payable. It is not a fundraising organisation but instead exists to engender a sense of belonging and comradery amongst the school community.

As the Chair always says, the Association is your association, so anyone who has any ideas for future events or wants to become involved in the organising committee should contact the London Oratorians at tlo@london-oratory.org

‍There are a number of regular events that are well supported – particularly the annual golf day in May, the annual football match against Old Vaughnians, and the Quiz Night held at the school. An annual rugby fixture of a London Oratorians XV vs the Headmaster’s XV is a well-supported and enjoyable fixture.

The Quiz Night raises funds for the Pupil Support Fund, helping all pupils make the most of their time at the London Oratory by providing support, where needed, for those of all talents from less advantageous backgrounds.

In association with the London Oratory Foundation, the London Oratorians hosts a Gala Dinner every year or two. The proceeds go partly to the Pupil Support Fund, as well as raising funds for the Foundation itself.

For details on how to contribute to the Pupil Support Fund please email Chris McCallum at the email address cmccallum@los.ac

You may also like to sign up to our alumni platform here: https://alumni.london-oratory.org/home

Choral Society

The School Music Department runs a Choral Society consisting of parents, staff, past pupils and friends. They join with pupils from the School choirs each term to perform a major concert with professional orchestra. Concerts take place in central London churches, often in Sloane Square or Pimlico.

The Society is open to anyone with an interest in singing, and no auditions are held. Recent works performed include, Haydn Creation; Handel Messiah; Bach St John Passion; Verdi Requiem, Elgar Dream of Gerontius and Mozart Mass in C minor, and more recently Karl Jenkins The Armed Man and Poulenc Gloria.

The emphasis is on enjoyment, and people of all musical experiences, however limited, are welcome to join in. The rehearsals are each Wednesday in the Junior House choir room, commencing at 7.15pm and finishing 9.00pm. There is a break for refreshments, and various social occasions are arranged, including a Christmas party.

We charge a termly subscription of £40 per person or £65 for a couple, which covers the cost of hiring a professional orchestra and soloists each term. As well as representing very good value for money (as it is cheaper than many evening classes), it provides pupils with the opportunity to sing major musical works with professional musicians. To join, just come along on a Wednesday evening during term time.

Rugby Committee

The London Oratory School has a long tradition of sporting excellence across a range of sports.  The Rugby Committee represents an amalgamation of parental support for rugby and looks to support the School in fundraising and developing sport for the good of all our pupils. This harnesses much of the sporting energy of parents and crystallises in a range of social functions across the year for parents with a sporting interest. To be involved please contact the Headmaster's PA on execpa@los.ac