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THE A–Z OF OAKHAM SCHOOL The OO Club and Aurore, the School Archivist, have teamed up to share some of the stories behind the people and places that have shaped Oakham School. Written by Aurore Guillomot-Bonnefond and Charlotte Woodward
A
uchanan
shburton
In 1966, the School’s Shooting 1st VI, captained by Chris Frame, went to Bisley and won the Ashburton Shield for the first time in its history. To celebrate this achievement, it was decided to name the new dining hall the ‘Ashburton Hall’, although it was more commonly referred to as ‘The Trough’. Some may remember that this building stood where the Merton now is, next to the current ‘Ashburton building’, then known as the ‘Haywood building’ (see H for Haywood). The Ashburton Hall was in use from 1966 to 1987. It was finally taken down in 1989. A is also for Ancaster, Athletics, Art, Activities, A-levels.
B
is for…
is for…
Top left: The Ashburton Hall (left) next to the Haywoods building (right) in the 1960s
Front of Buchanans
Bottom left: Lunch in the Ashburton Hall in the 1960s
John Buchanan, Headmaster from 1959 to 1977, is the man behind the decision to become co-educational and when he retired, the Girls’ House ‘Orchard Close’, which had opened in January 1975, was renamed ‘Buchanans’ in summer 1977. B is also for Barrow, Barraclough, Battlefields, Big Band, Bursaries, Biology, Boarding, Business.