Oundle School

Founded in 1556 by Sir William Laxton and overseen by the Worshipful Company of Grocers, Oundle School is a prestigious English public school situated in the historic market town of Oundle, Northamptonshire. Nestled across a picturesque campus integrated into the town’s fabric, the school educates around 1,110 pupils aged 11 to 18, including approximately 810 boarders and 300 day pupils. Today, it stands as England’s third-largest boarding school, upholding a centuries-old legacy while embracing modern education.

Academic Excellence

Oundle maintains an impressive academic track record. In 2024, 74% of (I)GCSE grades were ranked 9–7, including 30% at grade 9, with an average grade of 7.4. At A-Level, 67% of grades achieved A*–A and 88% A*–B, with 29% at A*. Notably, in 2023, 62.9% of A-Level entries were A*–A. Around 10% of pupils receive Oxbridge offers annually, and over 75% secure places in Russell Group universities, with a further 5% progressing to institutions abroad spears500.com. These results reflect dedicated academic pastoral support, robust enrichment programmes—including EPQ and Pre-U—and small class sizes fostering personalised learning.

Pastoral Care & Boarding Life

Oundle’s boarding tradition spans centuries. The school hosts 15 boarding and day Houses—8 boys’, 5 girls’, plus day houses and junior provisions—each helmed by house staff who ensure academic mentorship, wellbeing support, and camaraderie. The boarder community, constituting around 75% of pupils, enjoys structured routines, inclusive recreation, and a shared sense of belonging, reflecting the school’s mission to nurture decent, open-minded individuals. Safeguarding and pastoral care are underpinned by chaplaincy and mental health services embedded in daily life.

Co‑curricular Breadth

Oundle’s co-curricular programme is renowned. With over 100 clubs and activities, students engage in:

• CCF (Combined Cadet Force): England’s largest school CCF with Army, RAF, and Navy units; key part of leadership and character-building
• Sports: Rugby, cricket, hockey, rowing, athletics, squash, fives, swimming, and sailing through Rutland Sailing Club.
• Performing arts & music: Great Hall assemblies, chapel choirs, drama productions, regional festivals, and 50+ ensembles
• Academic societies: Debating, Model UN, STEM clubs, language societies hosted in purpose-built spaces like the Adamson Centre teaching seven languages (French, Spanish, German, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Italian)
• Community & adventure: Duke of Edinburgh, community action initiatives, local partnerships, and outreach through the Oundle Society; members organise holiday programmes for those with learning disabilities
• Cultural engagement: Hosting of the Oundle Festival of Literature and Oundle Fringe Festival encourages literary and artistic leadership, fostering public speaking and creativity

Oundle’s architecture spans from 17th-century buildings to modern facilities. The Great Hall —built in 1909—remains central, lending its oak-panelled space to assemblies, lectures, concerts, debates, and social events oundleschool.org.uk. The SciTec Centre features state-of-the-art science and engineering labs, including laser equipment, wind tunnels, 3D printing suites and robotics workshops, reflecting Oundle’s historical strength in sciences and engineering under influential headmaster F.W. Sanderson. The Adamson Centre supports modern languages and intercultural competence through immersive classrooms and webinar facilities. Sports infrastructure includes a swimming pool, athletics track, sports halls with squash and fives courts, multiple pitches, and access to rowing and sailing venues.

Heritage & Values

Oundle’s heritage is embedded in its mission: “God Grant Grace”—rooted in Christian values and expressed through academic humility and social responsibility en.wikipedia.org. The school boasts a diverse alumni network, “Old Oundelians,” including figures in science, entrepreneurship, arts, and public service. Recent external recognition includes being named Independent Secondary School of the Year in the East Midlands (2025).