Oundle School is one of the UK's leading co-educational independent schools, providing both boarding and day options for pupils aged 11 to 18. The School has a rich heritage dating back over 450 years, blending academic excellence with a holistic educational experience. Situated in the small, charming market town of Oundle, Northamptonshire, travel from London is less than an hour by train yet the School enjoys a beautiful setting in the heart of the UK countryside. The School and town are closely entwined, with Oundelians taking their place within this wider community, not isolated from it.
The best of modern boarding. Oundle has long been associated with the very best of modern independent boarding education, with an approach that means, while there are regular exeats, pupils are either all in or all out. The result is a full and varied seven-day-a-week programme with endless opportunities and a real buzz to the weekends. The House system is at the heart of both School life and pastoral care, with each boarding House being home to those who live and work there. All meals are taken together in House dining rooms and every pupil is part of a small, carefully structured House tutorial group which spans all years, reflecting a family feel and allowing older pupils to act as mentors to the younger ones.
Number of pupils (2024–2025). 820 boarders and 320 day pupils.
Academic success. Oundle has long shown itself to be open to innovation and change, combining a strong and traditional educational model with new disciplines, techniques and facilities. The curriculum offers a huge breadth of subjects and opportunities; 8 timetabled languages, 29 A Level options, 26 GCSE/IGCSE options and over 40 academic societies. Oundelians are encouraged to look beyond their current strengths and interests, harness their natural intellectual curiosity and explore new avenues for learning.
Oundle’s academic results are steadfastly excellent. In 2024, 29% of A Level grades awarded were A*, with 67% A*/A and 88% A*–B. At (I)GCSE, 30% achieved 9 (A**), 53% were awarded 9 or 8 (A**/A*), while 74% were graded at 9–7 (A**–A). On average, 10% of Oundelians gain Oxbridge offers and 75% take up Russell Group university places, with increasing numbers looking across the Atlantic for higher education with a more global approach.
Co-curricular activities. A vast range of enriching co-curricular opportunities encompass three development strands: Leadership and Adventure; Service; and Creativity and Culture. The School is proud of being the largest DofE centre in Central England and having the largest School CCF in the country. The Arts also play a huge role in the life of Oundelians, with around 20 School, House and professional touring productions performed annually in the Stahl Theatre; over 50% of pupils learning at least one musical instrument; and the Yarrow Gallery playing host to spectacular pupil exhibitions. Sport is flourishing; the Sports Masterplan has recently been completed and the pursuit of sporting excellence and elite performance sits comfortably alongside a vision for all pupils to benefit from a wide selection of team and individual sporting options.
Partnerships and outreach. As a founding member of the Oundle, Peterborough and East Northants (OPEN) Learning Partnership, Oundle is committed to increasing opportunity, raising aspirations and allowing the sharing of best practice between both state and independent schools. A unique partnership with Imperial College London sees the School employ an Imperial College London Outreach Fellow who teaches Science both at Oundle and at its partner schools. There is also a valuable link with Swansea University’s Engineering department and a further formal partnership with the Royal College of Music.
Admissions. Main entry is at 11+, 13+ and 16+ (boarding and day), with a small number of places available at other stages, including boarding places at 12+. At 11+ pupils join either the junior boarding House or junior day House, before moving to a senior House at 13+, alongside pupils joining from a range of prep schools at this key entry point.
Depending on the stage of entry and current school, applicants sit Common Entrance or Oundle’s own entrance test, alongside an interview.
Scholarships. An extensive series of entrance scholarships is offered each year.
Scholarships at 11+:
•Junior Academic Exhibition
•Junior Music
Scholarships at 13+:
•Academic
•Art
•Design, Engineering and Technology
•Drama
•Music
•Oundle (for those with talents in two or more disciplines)
•Sport
Scholarships at 16+:
•Academic
•Music
•Art
•Design, Engineering and Technology
•Sport
Bursaries. Bursaries vary in size according to circumstance; ranging from 10% to 100% or more, to ensure a pupil does not miss out on the broad range of co-curricular opportunities Oundle offers. Pupils must comfortably satisfy the academic entry requirements but equally be able to demonstrate they will contribute fully to the life of the School.
Parents who may need the support of a bursary are encouraged to discuss the matter with the School, through the Admissions Office in the first instance, well in advance of the due date of entry. Decisions regarding bursary assistance are made approximately two years ahead of entry.
Fees per term (2024-2025).
UK Boarders: First Form – 3 Day (Year 7): £9,765, First Form – Full or Weekly (Year 7): £12,195, Second Form (Year 8): £14,155, Third Form to Sixth Form (Years 9–13): £16,055.
Day Pupils: First Form (Year 7): £7,970, Second Form (Year 8): £9,240, Third Form to Sixth Form (Years 9–13): £10,475.
Overseas Boarders: First Form (Year 7): £12,478, Second Form (Year 8): £14,438, Third Form to Sixth Form (Years 9–13): £16,338.
Laxton Junior School caters for 4- to 11-year-old boys and girls and has 250 pupils on roll. (For further details, see entry in IAPS section.) Charitable status. Oundle School is a Registered Charity, number 309921.
Governors & Staff:
The Governing Body:
Mr Timothy Coleridge (Chairman)
Mr Ian Hodgson (Vice Chairman)
Mr Oliver Brettle
Mr Edward Campbell-Johnston
Mr Neil Chippington
Mr Guy Chisenhale-Marsh
Mrs Suzanna D'Oyly
Mr Jason Hill
Mrs Saskia Jordan
Mr Alasdair Kennedy
Mr Ian Lawson
Mr Charles McAndrew
Mrs Debbie McGregor
Mr Ben Shepherd-Smith TD
Mr Christy Stewart-Smith
Mr Dominic Toriati OBE
Mr Chris Tyler
Mr James Whitmore
Leadership:
Head: Mrs S Kerr-Dineen, MA Cantab
Deputy Head: Mrs D L Watt, MA Oxon
Deputy Head Academic: Dr A Baragwanath, Msci, PhD Durham
Deputy Head Pastoral: Mrs A E Meisner, BA Nottingham
Deputy Head Co-Curricular: Lt Col A C Mansergh RM, MA King’s London
Deputy Head Admissions: Mrs R J Makhzangi, BA Oxon
Deputy Head Partnerships and Outreach: Mr G Montgomery, MSci Queen’s, MA Bath
Senior Chaplain: Revd Maria Coulter, MTh London
Bursary:
Bursar: Mr D J Toriati OBE, MA King’s College
Director Finance: Eleanor Charlton
Admissions:
Senior Registrar: Mr J Hammond Chambers, MA Nottingham
Registrar: Miss S Johnson, BA Durham