Mr Matthew Fogg, BA (Dunelm), FTIOB, became Head Master of The Oratory School in April 2025, having previously been Deputy Head of the school since 2018.

Matthew read Ancient History at Durham University before completing a PGCE at Liverpool University. In 2022, he was appointed as a Fellow of the Institute of Boarding to recognise his 20 years of working in boarding houses. Prior to joining The Oratory, Matthew was Head of Theology and Housemaster of the largest boys' house at Ampleforth College, another Catholic co-educational boarding school in North Yorkshire.

During his time at The Oratory School, Matthew has overseen the restructuring and development of the school’s pastoral care systems, led on the introduction of co-education and introduced Psychology as an A Level subject. His enthusiasm for teaching is based on being able to watch students explore and come to understand complex ideas.

Matthew is a former rugby player and coach and now runs regularly to keep healthy.

Matthew’s wife, Dr Victoria Fogg, is Housemaster of Wootten House with responsibility for all female students at The Oratory. Their daughter and son both attend the school.

Read the Head Master’s Welcome here.

Contact: head@oratory.co.uk

Mrs Fiona Yates FCA, MA (Oxon), was appointed as Bursar of The Oratory School in 2020, having previously worked as a Consultant and Finance Manager for the school.

Fiona has a Maths degree from Oxford University. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC), she went on to work at Dixons Group and GlaxoSmithKline. At Glaxo, Fiona was responsible for the preparation of the consolidated Financial Accounts, both year end and quarterly investor announcements and worked with the Board on the merger with Wellcome, preparing post-merger accounts and forming part of the merger-financing euro note issue team. She also supported the Finance Director in his work with the UK Accounting Standards Board setting industry accounting standards.

Contact: bursar@oratory.co.uk

Mr Matthew Syddall, MA (Oxon), MSt (Oxon), MEd, Trinity TESOL cert, was educated at Bolton School Boys' Division, studying Latin, History and English Literature at A Level. He went on to gain an MA in Theology (2:1) and then a Masters in Medieval Church History, both from Oxford University, where he also sang in Balliol College Chapel Choir. He qualified as a TESOL teacher, teaching for over two and half years in China, and has also completed a Master’s in Educational Leadership.

As a former Head of Classics at both Reading Blue Coat and The Oratory School, Matthew is proficient in Latin and Classical Greek and a fluent Mandarin speaker. Matthew has also held the role of Head of 6th Form at The Oratory and is now in his 14th year at the school.

Outside of teaching, Matthew plays the violin and drums and is a keen sportsman. He is a playing member of the MCC and has been a 1st XI league cricketer in the Bolton Association, Liverpool Competition and Home Counties Premier League. He was also a 1st XI league footballer in the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division.

Matthew is active in the local community and is an Authorised Preacher in the Church of England and a former Chair of Governors at Pangbourne Primary School.

Contact: m.syddall@oratory.co.uk

Mr Stephen Burrows, BA Hons, MEd, is Assistant Head (Safeguarding) and Director of Music, as well as being a 6th Form tutor. He is passionate about helping and supporting the welfare of pupils and is proud of the Safeguarding culture at The Oratory School.

Stephen grew up in Northern Ireland and developed his love of music whilst a Chorister at Armagh Cathedral. He read Music at Bristol University, then moved on to working as a professional singer, singing with the choirs of Westminster Cathedral and St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, amongst others. Stephen came to teach full time whilst at St George’s School, Windsor Castle, where he was Director of Music.

Outside of his pastoral and musical interests, Stephen is a very keen walker, with the wonderful Oxfordshire countryside in which the school is located being an ideal location for him and his family.

Contact: s.burrows@oratory.co.uk

Mr Marcus Fec joined The Oratory in 2014 and prior to his role as Assistant Head (Co-Curricular & Partnerships), has served as Head of History and Housemaster of Norris House.

Marcus has a degree in History and an MA in Catholic Schools' leadership from St Mary's, Twickenham. He is a keen walker and the school's Duke of Edinburgh Award manager.

Contact: m.fec@oratory.co.uk

Ms Caryn Harward, BSc Hons, MSc, joined The Oratory School as Head of Science in 2020, became Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning) in September 2023 and is now Assistant Head (Director of Studies). During her time at the school, Caryn has consistently shown high standards, formidable energy, and a passion for embedding outstanding teaching and learning across the ability range.

Caryn was educated at the University of Port Elizabeth in South Africa, where she read Biochemistry. She has an MSc in Epidemiology from the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London and a PGCE in Chemistry from Bath Spa University.

Caryn loves to travel and when not in school she enjoys taking her family to experience different cultures, customs and culinary experiences.

Contact: c.harward@oratory.co.uk

Dr Victoria Fogg, PhD (York), MA (Dunelm), founded the first Girls' House at The Oratory in 2020, having been Head of EAL and Coeducation Co-Ordinator since 2018.

Victoria read English Studies at Durham University followed by an MA and a PGCE in English and Drama. She completed her PhD in English and Education at York in 2009. Victoria started her career in boarding at Durham School as a Resident Tutor in 2000. She has served as a Head of KS4 English (Durham Johnston), Second in Department and Head of KS5 (Huntington School) and a Senior Examiner for OCR A Level Literature. In 2008 she became a Housemistress at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire. During her time at Ampleforth, Victoria had her two children and continued teaching English as well as being Head of EAL. Victoria has worked for the University of York, supporting EAL within the PGCE programme. She is also trained to mentor teachers in training and those in their first year of the profession.

During her time at The Oratory, Victoria has led on the introduction of coeducation, introduced English Language A Level with Dr Moses, set up the book and brunch club and the National Theatre club, developed the wellbeing culture, and supported the work of the Chaplaincy.

Victoria lives on site in Wootten House along with her husband Matthew, who is the Head Master, their two children and their labrador.

Contact: v.fogg@oratory.co.uk 

After a career in catering, Dr David Moses, MA Hons, PhD, went to Edinburgh University as a mature student and, after his first degree in English Literature, continued to teach there and to research for a PhD in Medieval Literature.

In 2005, David became Teacher of English at Ampleforth College. During his time at Ampleforth he was Head of Music Scholars, Housemaster of St John’s House, and Head of School at the college’s prep school, St Martin's Ampleforth. After setting up and running Ampleforth’s Junior House St Edward’s and Wilfrid’s he became the Head of Careers and Higher Education.

He maintains an academic interest in Middle English and continues to research, teach, and inspire students to read Medieval Literature. He is currently writing a commentary on two 12th century devotional texts.

Contact: d.moses@oratory.co.uk

Heidi leads The Oratory School’s People Division, where her focus is on building a supportive and inclusive culture that helps staff feel engaged, valued, and able to develop in their careers. She is passionate about creating an environment where both teaching and support staff can thrive, ensuring the whole school community benefits from a positive workplace culture.

Alongside this people-focused ethos, Heidi brings strong professional expertise, holding a CIPD Level 5 qualification in Human Resources and a degree in Business and Finance. This blend of experience and qualifications underpins her ability to guide change, promote a supportive environment, and provide thoughtful leadership that keeps people at the heart of The Oratory School.

Contact: h.shuttleworth@oratory.co.uk