Wednesday afternoons at Oundle are dedicated to Service and Activities for Third Form upwards, with the two younger years offered their own unique programme. There is a huge variety that pupils can get involved in, from local journalism, bee-keeping and photography to our own radio station, volunteering and the Green Team. The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and Community Action (CA) sit at the heart of our offer.
The CCF is a significant part of life at Oundle – in scale, in spirit and in the breadth of experience it offers. With around 460 cadets parading each week, it is the largest organisation in the School and the largest school contingent in the country. Long established and well supported, it offers challenge, camaraderie and a strong sense of purpose – and for many pupils, it becomes a defining part of their time here.
All pupils in the Fourth Form (Year 10) take part, choosing between the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force sections. Each offers a distinct focus: sailing, rowing and power boating with the Navy; infantry skills and tactics with the Army; and flight training with the RAF. Beyond these practical skills, the CCF helps pupils develop teamwork, resilience and self-reliance. It also fosters a strong sense of service -whether that leads to a military career or simply shapes how pupils lead and contribute in other walks of life.
At the end of the year, pupils may choose to continue or explore other co-curricular options. Those who stay on move into specialist programmes such as Advanced Infantry, NCO development, Fire and Rescue, or Adventure Training and Diving – areas that demand real commitment and offer meaningful opportunities for leadership.
Community Action at Oundle is rooted in something simple but powerful—service. Every week, our pupils step beyond the classroom to engage with the people, places and issues that shape our wider community.
Whether it’s chatting over tea with an elderly resident, attending a disco at the PHAB Club in Peterborough, volunteering in a local school, or helping out in a soup kitchen, pupils forge real relationships across more than 40 outreach activities. They work with, not just for, the community – connecting, contributing, and learning through action.
The programme is structured around five key themes:
While the focus is firmly on helping others, our pupils grow too – developing the soft skills most valued in today’s world: empathy, adaptability, kindness, and communication. Community Action places them at the heart of real-world issues, encouraging them to become thoughtful, active citizens and global contributors.
"Pupils contribute positively to the lives of others and develop a broader social understanding."ISI Inspection 2024