Oundle School, the largest co-educational independent school in Northamptonshire/the East Midlands, has strengthened its commitment to boarding through an ambitious vision to invest in its provision for both boarding and day pupils aged 4 through to 18.
As the school moves towards 35 years of co-education, the construction of a new girls’ boarding House in the centre of Oundle is at the heart of its development. The chosen site is the town’s former primary school on Milton Road, purchased by Oundle School in 2019. Planning for the build is now commencing, with an anticipated opening date of 2026. Alongside the new House, the school has announced a rolling programme of major refurbishment across its whole boarding estate, as well as plans for a progressive model of boarding at 11+ in preparation for full boarding at 13+.
The school’s vision for the unparalleled opportunities that boarding offers extends to its substantial day community. Over the next two years, the junior day House, for pupils aged 11 to 13, will be expanded, while the senior day House for pupils aged 13 – 18 will be remodelled into two discrete co-educational Houses in the centre of town. This will serve to enhance the sense of home and nurture provided to the boarding community.
At Laxton Junior School, the new cohort of four-year-olds joining Reception this September will benefit from a new, state-of-the-art Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) space, designed specifically to place play at its heart through an innovative blueprint of connected indoor and outdoor areas. A concurrent ambitious investment into STEAM facilities, including a remodelled Science and Engineering Lab as well as an Art and Design Studio, mirrors the cutting-edge approach to STEM education for which Oundle School is renowned.
All developments are being funded without increasing the School’s borrowing, with a generous legacy from Sue Thomas, former Head of Laxon Junior School, facilitating the EYFS and STEAM investment.
Sarah Kerr-Dineen, Head of Oundle School commented: “We place the highest value on giving our pupils every possible opportunity to flourish and on being true to our identity as a co-educational boarding school. Fundamental to this commitment is the quality of our care, including the physical and pastoral structures that make it possible. This vision is our once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in those things that matter most to us and to secure the long-term security of the School we want to be.”
Sam Robertson, Head of Laxton Junior School added: “We are hugely excited about bringing the power of play fully to life through a fantastic new Reception space and offering our pupils an outstanding connection to Oundle’s world-class STEM provision. We have always sought to provide an innovative and modern experience at LJS and, through these developments, I believe that every child will benefit from these new opportunities that will enhance their love of learning and further prepare them for senior school and beyond.”
Categories: Oundle School School News
