OUNDLE AT 11+
“This is a school with serious ambition that thinks deeply about pupil experience. There is a real sense that if you want to do something, it is possible.”
It is a privilege to lead Oundle School.
From my first visit, I was struck by Oundle’s scale and ambition, but also by something more subtle and enduring. What stands out is not performance or polish, but purpose and thoughtfulness. There is a strong sense of authenticity and a quiet confidence that feels entirely unforced.
Oundle has an energy that comes from a profound sense of interconnection and a culture of decency, curiosity and care. Most striking of all are the pupils. They are grounded, kind and intellectually alive. They explore ideas fearlessly and care deeply about not just about what they do but how they do it.
This is a school with a real sense of possibility. If a pupil wants to do something, it feels achievable and our full boarding model is central to this. Ambition is not crammed into the corners of the week, but instead built into the rhythm of daily life. Within that rhythm there is space – physical, emotional, intellectual and creative – for pupils to think deeply and to grow independently. Central to all of this is a staff community of extraordinary commitment and expertise.
Oundle doesn’t sit behind gates but is woven into the beautiful market town from which it takes its name. Living alongside this broader community gives pupils a sense of who they are in relation to society: they are actively encouraged to look up and out into the wider world.
Education is about so much more than outcomes. Young people should feel known, supported and challenged, not just so they can succeed but so that they can find their own particular path and contribute positively to the world. Great schools are places of possibility and when they work well, as Oundle does, they are deeply joyful places too.
Dominic Oliver Head of Oundle School
MEET THE REGISTRAR
Sarah Johnson is our Registrar for Year 7 and 8 entry. A former Housemistress and current Berrystead Tutor, she brings both professional insight and personal experience as a parent of three children who joined Oundle as day pupils.
“Boarding at 11+ and 12+ is very exciting. These children are at such a wonderful age where they want to enjoy and soak up everything about life and the opportunities in front of them.”
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OUNDLE AT 11+
Our junior campus offers an idyllic and age-appropriate setting for children in First and Second Form (Years 7 and 8). Boarders join The Berrystead, our dedicated junior boarding House, while day pupils are part of the adjacent Scott House. Both enjoy beautiful shared grounds and facilities, with strong pastoral teams and spaces shaped around younger pupils.
These two years provide a joyful, purposeful transition into senior school life. The warmth and adventure of prep school are combined with the breadth and opportunity of a leading senior school, offering eleven- and twelve-yearolds the chance to build independence, spark curiosity and lay strong academic foundations.
Children benefit from expert guidance and encouragement that feels right for their age. They grow in confidence and thrive in an environment that gives them both security and freedom, with room to explore new interests and friendships. By the time they move into one of Oundle’s senior Houses at thirteen, they are already familiar with the rhythms of the School and the vibrant market town we’re part of. They take this next step feeling confident, settled and ready for all that lies ahead.
OMNIA
Saturdays at 11+ are something rather different and exciting at Oundle. In our experience, a six-day week with lessons on a Saturday has the potential to be exhausting rather than enriching for many eleven-year-olds. We therefore run Omnia, a programme wholly bespoke to Oundle and designed to ignite sparks in young minds, open up new opportunities and stimulate intellectual curiosity.
Carefully crafted by our own specialist teachers, it whets every appetite, from encouraging exploration to fostering climate champions and critical thinkers. It also offers the perfect stepping stone to Third Form where all pupils have Saturday morning lessons.
“Omnia reflects our commitment to ensuring that our youngest pupils develop a wide range of skills and character traits beyond the academic curriculum.”
BOARDING AT 11+
Boarding at Oundle from age 11 offers something increasingly rare: a full-boarding experience shaped around the needs of our youngest pupils. The Berrystead is home to a lively, close-knit and well-supported community, where children enjoy the rhythms of boarding while beginning to grow in independence and responsibility.
There are over 50 pupils across the two year groups in The Berrystead. While most are full boarders, weekly and three-day options are also available, recognising that some children at this age need a little more time to adjust. For those who ultimately want to board but aren’t quite ready for a seven-day model, these more flexible options offer a gentle and effective stepping stone to full boarding in our senior Houses.
Evening and weekend life is active, varied and full of fun. A dedicated Head of Junior Boarding Adventures ensures there is always something to look forward to, from team challenges and baking to film nights and outdoor pursuits. Pupils form strong friendships and settle quickly into boarding life. By the time they move up to senior Houses at 13, they carry with them a strong sense of belonging and a ready-made network of familiar faces across the School.
11+ ENTRANCE
Entrance assessments for 11+ take place in January of Year 6. Pupils sit papers in Mathematics and English, along with a Cognitive Ability Test. Each child also has a relaxed interview, helping us get to know them as an individual: their interests, character and potential. Boarders are warmly invited to stay overnight to experience the routines, friendships and distinctive spirit of boarding life at 11.
We offer Entrance Exhibitions at this stage in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and effort in the entrance assessments. We do not offer formal Scholarships at 11+ entry, as we recognise that children at this age develop at different rates - academically, emotionally and physically. We want pupils to have the space to grow without pressure. With that in mind, a wide range of Scholarship opportunities are available from 13+ onwards, including Academic. Each award comes with a tailored programme to support ongoing development.
Oundle is founded on philanthropy and we are proud to offer assistance with fees through a strong means-tested bursary programme.
ADMISSIONS TIMELINE
Every admissions journey will be slightly different, but we recommend registration by the end of Year 5 at the latest. We believe in working in partnership with our families; the earlier you register, the more time you have to get to know Oundle and the more time we have to get to know your child ahead of the 11+ Entrance assessment.
Before registering your child, we highly recommend that you visit us in person, not just to see the different aspects of the School but more importantly to meet the people who shape it. We offer tailored 11+ Open Days throughout the year, as well as individual visits. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information; we would be delighted to welcome you.
CONTACT ADMISSIONS
Sarah Johnson, Registrar E: admissions@oundleschool.org.uk T: 01832 277 122
Follow @oundleschool on Instagram for a deeper insight into our community.
OUR CURRICULUM
Teaching our First and Second Form (Years 7 and 8) is a real privilege. Eleven- and twelve-year-old children have wonderfully creative and enquiring minds: the enthusiasm that they bring to their learning makes them a joy to teach.
We have a bespoke and graduated curriculum, with all subjects taught by specialist teachers who teach through to I/ GCSE and A level. This enables our younger children to gain
AN AVERAGE WEEK
true mastery of their subjects and builds a solid foundation for their academic lives ahead. A vast range of co-curricular opportunities complements the academic curriculum, sparking new interests while indulging existing hobbies.
Northamptonshire borders eight other counties including Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire.
Central London is just 45 minutes away by train from nearby Peterborough.
We are proud to welcome pupils from over 120 feeder schools all across the UK and from 30+ countries around the world.