Who we are
Steeped in tradition, yet never standing still, Oundle is a place where young people learn to think deeply, live alongside others and take responsibility for what they bring to the world. They grow into quietly assured individuals, shaped by a grounded community that values substance over show.
“No matter who you are or what you do, there will be people here who accept you” CURRENT OUNDELIAN
“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 what they do, but how they do it.” DOMINIC OLIVER HEAD OF OUNDLE SCHOOL
05 I WELCOME
“It's not about who you are, it's about what you bring to the table.” CURRENT OUNDELIAN
X X0 6I II NCTH RA ORDAUCCTTEI R ON
A profound sense of purpose Oundle’s attitude is often described as a quiet, unassuming confidence. That’s part of the picture. At our core, we’re all about depth and substance. A strong sense of self, grounded in authenticity and humanity. Our pupils don’t peacock, they participate. They push themselves, get stuck in and lead with a mix of humility and intent. From Scottish country dancing in Sixth Form to mentoring younger pupils or debating philosophy - there’s a culture of contribution here, as well as competition. In a world that often rewards volume, we believe in value. Oundelians embody an appreciation of privilege grounded in responsibility rather than entitlement. Pupils bring a lot to the table and know that it’s in their interest to add something meaningful. That could be as simple as helping a friend or as far-reaching as a breakthrough idea. Either way, through acts of service they’re encouraged to think about what they can do and what they can give.
07 I CHARACTER
“Oundle will absolutely get the best out of your child” OUNDLE PARENT
“Oundle is the place where I founded my deepest rooted friendships, played sport seven days a week and broadened my education in the most beautiful of settings.” OLD OUNDELIAN
Curious, kind and quietly confident Academic ambition runs deep at Oundle. Pupils are challenged, stretched, and inspired to think with clarity and originality. We choose to value intellectual curiosity over rigid conformity. We look for bright minds, curious spirits, and the spark that says: I want to know more. We want to nurture young people who are both clever and instinctively kind. Pupils who are prepared for success and equipped to handle it with grace. Because here, achievement is built upon intellect and integrity. The result? Pupils leave as exceptionally sharp, articulate thinkers, ready to thrive in higher education and beyond. They also leave as grounded, good-humoured individuals you’d want on your team, on the pitch, in the lab, in a boardroom, or wherever clear thinking and sound judgment are needed most.
11 I ACADEMIC APPROACH
Breadth and balance in equal measure Oundle is big enough to offer real breadth and personal enough to ensure no pupil goes unseen. Our pastoral structure is built around what we call ‘units of care’ most clearly felt in our Houses. Tutors know each pupil’s strengths and challenges. Teachers spot when a quiet voice needs drawing out. Whether boarding or day, every pupil is known, backed, and surrounded by adults who notice the small things. Because scale is relative, and we believe each child's needs have equal value. This is a full-boarding culture. Through careful cultivation of balance and harmony, no area dominates at the expense of another. Pupils live and learn together all week. They eat side by side, share ideas over meals, cheer each other on from the touchline, and have time for conversations that go beyond the transactional. That closeness matters. It builds trust. And it gives Oundle its distinctive atmosphere: one where friendships run deep, community feels natural, and pupils learn what it means to look out for one another.
“Oundle is known for everyone being here at the weekend - it’s a proper full-boarding school.” OUNDLE PARENT
12 I BELONGING
Oundle in numbers The School
840 320 58:42 20% Boarding pupils
Day pupils
Boy : girl ratio
Pupils are foreign nationals living abroad
Academic Study
29
26
7
40+
A level options
GCSE/IGCSE subject options
Timetabled languages
Academic societies
Beyond the Classroom
350+
270+
950+
Pupils involved in CCF
Teams across School sport
Individual music lessons each week
300+
20+
300+
Pupils involved in Community Action
Productions in the Stahl Theatre annually
Day and residential trips each year
“Tıme spent at Oundle is precious and goes so quickly.” OLD OUNDELIAN
An education grounded in real life Oundle doesn’t sit behind gates or hide within four walls. It’s woven into the beautiful town it calls home. Pupils move between House and classroom on foot, through streets they share with local families and along paths that countless Oundelians have trodden on before them. Many live next door to neighbours who aren’t teachers or School friends - but part of the wider community. Pupils volunteer in the town, and take part in shared projects that connect them with others. This proximity to real life cultivates independence. It gives our pupils a sense of who they are in relation to society, not apart from it. That connection builds confidence. The confidence to look up and out, beyond the bubble. Crucially, it gives young people perspective - the kind that only comes when you grow up in step with the world, not shielded from it.
16 I COMMUNITY
“Oundle’s pupils exhibit self-knowledge that comes from a grounded quality rather than a desire to impress.” OUNDLE STAFF MEMBER
17 I COMMUNITY
A past worth inheriting There’s a difference between history and tradition. History is what we’ve lived through. Tradition is what we choose to carry forward, and why. From the Chapel choir to the Houses that pass down care and leadership, our traditions have a weight to them. They’re formative. They connect generations. They build community. And they set a standard of character that holds true across time. Here at Oundle, tradition also fuels innovation. Under F.W. Sanderson, Oundle became a trailblazer in science and engineering - a mindset that still shapes us today. That pioneering spirit endures in our approach to learning: forward-looking, open-minded, and never complacent.
“Here they will join in this great world-life.” F.W. SANDERSON HEADMASTER 1892-1922
18 I HERITAGE & INNOVATION
We give pupils a stable foundation from which to question, innovate, and lead with integrity. In a world of noise, they carry with them a sense of clarity; where they come from and where they’re going.
Firmly Grounded Endlessly Curious
Contact The Admissions Office T: 01832 277125 E: admissions@oundleschool.org.uk Oundle School, The Great Hall, New Street, Oundle PE8 4GH
www.oundleschool.org.uk