Setting the gold standard for half a century
Thursday, 18 June 2026
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As each new School year begins, Frank Oakes Is always hard as work, fulfil the role he has performed at Strathallan for fifty years.

The signwriter, originally from Stockport, has meticulously painted the names of the School's Captains and Champions by hand since the 1970s — covering almost half of the School's entire history. 

What began as a job in the army quickly became a passion for signwriting that took Frank's skills from the sides of tanks to cars, lorries, buildings, and the walls of our School for half a century. Now 88 years old, Frank says he still loves every day of his job. Headmaster of Strathallan, 

Mark Lauder, said, "There are thousands of names in Gold on our walls thanks to Frank. What a fantastic contribution and service to the School, for many more years too I hope!"