For military and diplomatic families, regular relocations can mean new schools, new friendships and the challenge of adapting to new environments. Oundle’s full-boarding model provides a stable, supportive home where pupils aged 11 to 18 can put down roots, focus on their education and make the most of School life, wherever their parents are based.
Our all in or all out approach means that every pupil is fully immersed in the life of their House: vibrant, inclusive communities where everyone belongs.
With over 30 military and FCO families in the School, alongside the largest CCF in the country, we are proud of our military connections and of the contribution these families make to our community. We are recognised, in effect, as a 10% school for eligible military families, with our aim being to offer the level of support required to bridge the difference between CEA funding and the required parental contribution of 10% of the full boarding fee. Our approach is straightforward and supportive. As a charity, we ask military and FCO families to complete a brief, light touch means-testing form. Once funding has been awarded, it is secured for the duration of the pupil’s time with us, giving families clarity and confidence from the outset.
Oundle benefits from a brilliant location – not just in terms of accessibility but in the experience it offers our pupils. Nestled at the heart of the historic market town that shares its name, Oundle provides a level of independence and normality rarely found in boarding schools. Unlike remote campuses that can feel a bit like self-contained bubbles, Oundle is seamlessly woven into a thriving town. Pupils enjoy the freedom to visit local cafés, shops and green spaces, experiencing everyday life within a safe and familiar community. This daily connection to the wider world helps them develop confidence, responsibility and a strong sense of belonging beyond the School.
For military and diplomatic families, Oundle’s excellent transport links make travel straightforward. The School is well positioned for key military hubs, with the A1 and A14 providing easy access to all corners of the UK. London is less than an hour away by train from nearby Peterborough and major airports are within easy reach – ensuring that visits and journeys home, whether within the UK or overseas, are simple and hassle free.
Oundle is in the perfect spot for us - it sits almost exactly between our headquarters in High Wycombe and the air bases in Lincolnshire. With the A1 nearby, it’s easy to reach, making travel and visits far more manageable.RAF Officer... and Mum
pupils are on CEA/FCO allowances
of pupils are full boarders
of pupils head home on a plane, including 7% expats
Unlike schools where a mixture of weekly, flexi and full boarding can lead to separate experiences, full-boarding is the norm at Oundle. Pupils live, learn and grow up together seven days a week, forming lasting friendships and a true sense of belonging.
For military and diplomatic families, this consistency is invaluable. Whether stationed in the UK or posted abroad, their children become part of a stable and supportive environment, surrounded by friends, staff and House traditions that offer structure, continuity...and plenty of fun.
Weekends aren’t just a wait for Monday - they’re packed with sport, House events, activities and time to relax with friends. It’s everything teenage years should be - busy, balanced, sociable and filled with memories that last a lifetime.
Living away from home develops confidence, independence and resilience. Pupils quickly develop the skills to manage their time, take responsibility and support one another. Older pupils naturally guide and look out for younger ones, creating a strong, reassuring community, and for those with siblings at the School, there are plenty of opportunities to catch up during the week and at weekends.
Our integration with the town adds another layer of independence. Unlike more isolated schools, pupils experience a real sense of normality - whether it’s picking up stationery supplies from Coleman’s, grabbing a takeaway or a Tesco snack, catching up with friends in a café or indulging in the legendary Trendalls doughnuts! They are, simply, a true part of a wider community beyond the School.
Oundle is academically ambitious and pupils achieve outstanding grades but this is never at the expense of wellbeing. The rhythm and time afforded by full boarding naturally supports learning, with structured study time, collaborative revision and a culture where intellectual curiosity is explored, shared and celebrated.
Pupils benefit from supportive House Tutors, dedicated study sessions, academic societies and staff-led ‘vols’, as well as a peer group that motivates and challenges one another. Whether they are naturally independent learners or thrive with a little extra guidance, Oundle provides the right balance of structure and encouragement - stretching pupils to achieve their best in an environment where it's cool to work hard but pressure isn’t the driving force.
Our sporting culture is popular with pupils and parents alike. With outstanding facilities and a broad range of sports, pupils can hone existing skills or discover new passions. With so many options, sport here is about finding what you love, making it part of your routine and enjoying the camaraderie our sporting calendar offers.
Beyond the playing fields, our co-curricular programme is equally extensive, there really is something for everyone. The culture is one of participation and getting stuck in, ensuring that pupils leave Oundle not only with a broad and enriched education but as thoughtful, kind and interesting people who are ready to grasp life.
Importantly, Oundle understands the need for balance. Weekends are a mix of structured activities and time to relax - whether that’s a House film night, a Bake Off-style competition, time spent with friends indulging in the latest trend (currently darts if you ask School House!) or a House bowling trip and meal. Life here is busy and full of opportunity - but always with room to breathe and enjoy the moment.
Oundle has a long tradition of welcoming pupils from military and diplomatic backgrounds. Alongside a generous funding support package, we recognise the challenges that come with relocations and parental deployments and we offer a stable, enriching environment where pupils can thrive both academically and personally.
Our full-boarding model provides a strong sense of community, where friendships develop naturally and pastoral care is central to School life. We talk to families about the importance of ‘units of care’, which allow a larger school to function in smaller, more precise and intimate groups: 20 in a class, 12 in a House year group, 10 in a House Tutor group. This ensures each pupil is supported, nurtured and guided from their first day. A vertical House-based mentoring system and ongoing guidance from Housemasters, Housemistresses and Tutors means pupils have a vast support network.
We understand that military and diplomatic families may need flexibility. While most pupils join at the start of the academic year, we consider mid-year applications where places are available and will always do our best to support families navigating sudden relocations.
Yes! In our senior Houses, we are fully committed to full boarding—everyone is ‘all in’ or ‘all out’. This ensures a vibrant, engaged community where no dorms sit empty and no pupil feels left behind. At 11 and 12+ (Years 7 and 8), we understand that some families may need greater flexibility and that some children benefit from a gradual transition to boarding. To support this, we offer weekly and three-day boarding options. However, even at this stage, the majority of our boarders are full-time, fully immersed in Oundle’s rich and dynamic School life.
Our pastoral care is both structured and personal, ensuring that pupils feel secure and supported. House teams provide continuity of care, offering a strong sense of stability. Every boarding House has three residential adults, meaning that at every meal – held in individual House dining rooms – there are three pairs of eyes and ears looking out for the 60 children. You have to be quite talented to hide! This means that no pupil goes unnoticed, and those who need additional support, whether academically or emotionally, are identified quickly and supported accordingly.
Weekends at Oundle are buzzing! With all pupils in House seven days a week during term time, there’s always something happening. Saturdays are busy – lessons in the morning, sport in the afternoon – but come the evening, it’s time to unwind with House dinners, socials, film nights or a fireside chat. Sundays take on a more relaxed pace: a well-earned lie-in, a leisurely House breakfast, Chapel, catching up on work, a trip into town for coffee and cake or a gym session for those feeling energetic. Whatever the mood, weekends at Oundle are about balance – time to be busy, time to recharge and always time spent together.
Yes. Families in receipt of CEA or equivalent FCO funding should refer to the CEA & FCO funding section above. In effect, eligible families pay 10% of the full boarding fees, with the remaining support confirmed through a short, light-touch Declaration of Means process.
No. Military and diplomatic families in receipt of CEA or equivalent FCO funding are not required to complete an annual review. Once funding has been awarded, it is secured for the duration of the pupil’s time at Oundle.
We know that uncertainty around school fees can be difficult, particularly for families whose lives already involve regular movement and change. This approach is designed to give families greater clarity and confidence from the outset.
No. Military and diplomatic families receiving this support are not subject to the School’s usual Conditions of Award. This means families do not need to seek permission for expenditure over £250, including school trips.
Oundle has a long tradition of welcoming pupils from military and diplomatic backgrounds. Alongside a generous funding support package, we recognise the challenges that come with relocations and parental deployments and we offer a stable, enriching environment where pupils can thrive both academically and personally.
Our full-boarding model provides a strong sense of community, where friendships develop naturally and pastoral care is central to School life. We talk to families about the importance of ‘units of care’, which allow a larger school to function in smaller, more precise and intimate groups: 20 in a class, 12 in a House year group, 10 in a House Tutor group. This ensures each pupil is supported, nurtured and guided from their first day. A vertical House-based mentoring system and ongoing guidance from Housemasters, Housemistresses and Tutors means pupils have a vast support network.
We understand that military and diplomatic families may need flexibility. While most pupils join at the start of the academic year, we consider mid-year applications where places are available and will always do our best to support families navigating sudden relocations.
Yes! In our senior Houses, we are fully committed to full boarding—everyone is ‘all in’ or ‘all out’. This ensures a vibrant, engaged community where no dorms sit empty and no pupil feels left behind. At 11 and 12+ (Years 7 and 8), we understand that some families may need greater flexibility and that some children benefit from a gradual transition to boarding. To support this, we offer weekly and three-day boarding options. However, even at this stage, the majority of our boarders are full-time, fully immersed in Oundle’s rich and dynamic School life.
Our pastoral care is both structured and personal, ensuring that pupils feel secure and supported. House teams provide continuity of care, offering a strong sense of stability. Every boarding House has three residential adults, meaning that at every meal – held in individual House dining rooms – there are three pairs of eyes and ears looking out for the 60 children. You have to be quite talented to hide! This means that no pupil goes unnoticed, and those who need additional support, whether academically or emotionally, are identified quickly and supported accordingly.
Weekends at Oundle are buzzing! With all pupils in House seven days a week during term time, there’s always something happening. Saturdays are busy – lessons in the morning, sport in the afternoon – but come the evening, it’s time to unwind with House dinners, socials, film nights or a fireside chat. Sundays take on a more relaxed pace: a well-earned lie-in, a leisurely House breakfast, Chapel, catching up on work, a trip into town for coffee and cake or a gym session for those feeling energetic. Whatever the mood, weekends at Oundle are about balance – time to be busy, time to recharge and always time spent together.
Yes. Families in receipt of CEA or equivalent FCO funding should refer to the CEA & FCO funding section above. In effect, eligible families pay 10% of the full boarding fees, with the remaining support confirmed through a short, light-touch Declaration of Means process.
No. Military and diplomatic families in receipt of CEA or equivalent FCO funding are not required to complete an annual review. Once funding has been awarded, it is secured for the duration of the pupil’s time at Oundle.
We know that uncertainty around school fees can be difficult, particularly for families whose lives already involve regular movement and change. This approach is designed to give families greater clarity and confidence from the outset.
No. Military and diplomatic families receiving this support are not subject to the School’s usual Conditions of Award. This means families do not need to seek permission for expenditure over £250, including school trips.
Our Admissions Team is here to help. Whether you have questions about boarding, finances, academics or settling in, we’d be delighted to speak with you.
The Admissions Office
+44 (0)1832 277125
admissions@oundleschool.org.uk
