My son completed his A Levels this year at The Oratory School, having journeyed through the entire Oratory School system, beginning as a three-year-old in Pre-Prep. Watching him grow within The Oratory community over the years has been a deeply rewarding experience, both as a mother and as someone who cares deeply about holistic development.

Professionally, I am a consulting general physician based in Harley Street, with a special interest in physical and cognitive longevity. Through my clinic, Viavi, I work with individuals from around the world to uncover and address the root causes of their health concerns. Our aim is to help people reduce long-term health risks and live not only longer but healthier, more vibrant lives.

My path into medicine was driven by a common yet powerful motivation, to help others and to build a meaningful, intellectually fulfilling career. However, as my training and clinical experience progressed, I became increasingly frustrated with certain aspects of the practice of conventional medicine. Despite rapid advances in technology and clinical knowledge, I saw a growing trend toward specialisation and compartmentalisation. Doctors were becoming experts in isolated systems, often overlooking the person as a whole. The focus, it seemed, was drifting away from prevention and underlying causes, toward reactive treatment of symptoms.

This growing awareness shaped my career trajectory. After qualifying in Belgium, I had the privilege of working across diverse cultures and healthcare systems in South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka, and the UK — holding senior clinical roles with organisations such as Bupa and Nuffield Health. Each setting deepened my understanding of the many paths to healing and health. I studied acupuncture and homeopathy in the East, worked alongside Ayurvedic doctors in Sri Lanka, and spent a year with Aboriginal communities in Australia’s Northern Territories, learning about their rich traditions of herbal medicine dating back over 40,000 years.

From this global exploration, one conclusion became clear: many of the diseases we associate with aging are not inevitable. With deeper insight into our own biology, our genetics, environment, and lifestyle, and with the right personalised guidance, many chronic conditions can be prevented, delayed, or even reversed. This belief inspired me to found Viavi over fifteen years ago. Since then, the clinic has grown into a global leader and respected centre for preventive and personalised medicine.

Around the same time, I moved to the local area and began searching for the right school for our youngest son. We initially chose The Oratory Prep School, where he thrived. When the time came to transition to senior school at thirteen, we once again reviewed all available options. We were fortunate to have many excellent schools nearby, and while academic reputation, facilities, extra-curricular breadth, and staff quality all played an important role, our final decision came down to something less tangible but more powerful: a feeling.

The Oratory simply felt right for my son. It offered not just academic strength, but a nurturing environment where he could grow as a person. The school’s ethos aligned with our own values, and we sensed it would be a place where he could develop into a confident, well-rounded young man, able to achieve his potential and discover and nurture strengths we were yet to discover. And in this, the school has exceeded our expectations.

Academically, the school has challenged and supported him, enabling him to gain offers from strong universities. The teachers have inspired him, and the classroom has never felt like a place of mere instruction, but one of genuine learning. Beyond academics, the school has allowed him to flourish. He has embraced every opportunity — from sport, drama, and debating to choir, community service, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. In return, the school has recognised his efforts, entrusting him with positions of leadership and responsibility.

As a parent, there is no greater satisfaction than watching your child become the person you hoped they might be. The Oratory has played a vital role in shaping that journey, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
 

Dr Sabine Donnai,
Oratory Parent