Our Houses

Bramston

Peter Liston, joined Oundle to teach Classics in 2011, and was Deputy Housemaster in Laundimer for four years. Peter is an accomplished musician and sportsman, and is married with two children.

Overview

Bramston House is a Queen Anne town house built by Stephen Bramston, a lawyer, in 1701. The House is situated in the heart of the Market Place, close to the academic centre of the School. A feature of the House is the fine garden area which includes a tennis court, as well as a substantial paddock with rugby posts, football goals and a new Astroturf cricket net.

Bramston is a happy, busy and outgoing House; a home from home. Guided by principles including honesty and openness, hard work, kindness and courage, Bramston pupils enjoy life in their busy boarding house.

Crosby

Following a highly successful career in the Royal Marines, Andrew Mansergh joined Oundle in 2013 as a Geography teacher and Contingent Commander of the CCF. He is married and has three children.

Overview

Facing Milton Road to the front and the expanse of the playing fields at the rear, Crosby House derives its name from the Grocer and diplomat Sir John Crosby, and was first occupied by boarders in 1907.

Crosby is a home from home, a friendly, supportive and outgoing House where boys should always feel comfortable and confident. The House motto is ‘others first’: think about your neighbour and his needs, and then about your own. This motto creates a secure, enriching and happy community.

Fisher

Alex Brighton has taught History at Oundle since 2005. His wife teaches Modern Languages and they have two children. Alex coaches cross country running and rock climbing, leads numerous school trips and is involved in the CCF.

Overview

As one of the four field Houses, Fisher House overlooks the playing fields to the rear, and is next door to the Sports Centre. Founded as Laxton House in 1869, the House was renamed in 2001 after the former Headmaster, Kenneth Fisher.

Fisher is a friendly, supportive and outgoing House where boys should always feel comfortable and confident. Fisher boys are happy, respectful of everyone and are expected to be honest at all times. The boys make the most of the opportunities available to them and are always keen to try new things.

Grafton

Nicholas Warden is Head of Singing and Director of the Chapel Choir. Before coming to Oundle, he had a distinguished international career as an opera singer and held teaching posts at The Royal Academy of Music and Oxford University. He enjoys country walks with his two dogs, and has shared his cooking skills with pupils in House masterchef competitions. A love of travel often takes him to Italy with his wife Nicoletta and their daughter.

Overview

Grafton is one of four spacious purpose-built boys Houses collectively known as the Field Houses, situated off Milton Road, and backing on to the playing fields. Named after the sixteenth century Grocer and printer, Grafton House has been the home to Oundle boys for over 100 years.

Grafton is a happy House with a strong house spirit. The aim is to nurture and produce gentlemen of the highest calibre, and we value and expect good behaviour and manners. There is no desire to quell fun, lively spirits and boyish behaviour, but it is important that pupils minimise any negative impact such behaviour may produce and respond in the correct manner should things go wrong.

Laundimer

William Gunson has taught French at Oundle since 2013, and was Head of Trivium/Quadrivium. He is Lay Chaplain, conducts the compline choir and coaches cricket, hockey and trains RAF cadets. He and his wife live with an excitable beagle.

Overview

At the heart of Laundimer House is a late Georgian town house, once the residence of Robert (later Baron) Vernon Smith, who was MP for Northamptonshire in the mid-nineteenth century. The House stands on North Street in the town centre and a short walk to most of the School’s teaching areas. The enclosed garden includes a football pitch and tennis court.

The environment created within the House is easily one of Laundimer’s greatest strengths. It is a house where year groups mix well and where those entrusted with positions of responsibility carry out their duties fairly. The House values are honesty and integrity; living by these values creates a civilised and unique community.

School House

Scott Jessop came to teaching after a decade in the City and joined Oundle in 2010 to teach Modern Languages. He is Head of Life of Learning, the school-wide programme of Scholarship, and looks after the Academic Scholars. A keen sportsman, he coaches rugby and cricket and also enjoys reading and the outdoors. Scott is married to Louise, a lawyer, and they have two daughters and a border terrier called Ginny.

Overview

In the centre of the School, facing the Cloisters across New Street and adjacent to the Great Hall, School House began life as a boarding House in 1887, although by tradition School House was originally the residence of the Headmaster, and there has been a School House at Oundle since 1556.

School House is a home from home where boys work, socialise, relax and can be themselves. The excellent house spirit stems from the boys throwing themselves enthusiastically into a wide range of academic and extra-curricular activities and we prize values such as integrity, mutual respect, friendliness, camaraderie and trying your best in whatever you do.

Sidney

Laura MacKenzie will take over from Chris Quiddington as Housemaster of Sidney in September 2022. Laura was born and educated in Scotland, but has made England her home since 2011. Having previously taught at the University of Leicester and Leicester High School for Girls, Laura joined Oundle in 2018 as a teacher of Government and Politics. She is Head of Trivium, Deputy Housemaster in School House, and is involved in the Debating Society. In her spare time, Laura plays in a progressive rock band and enjoys reading and creative writing, as well as following the many lows (and a few highs) of Hibernian FC. She is married to Jon, a Digital Consultant in the City, and they are looking forward to joining the Sidney family along with their spaniel, Sprock. Laura is excited about ‘doing life’ with the Sidney boys and supporting them throughout their Oundle journey.

Overview

Since taking in its first boarders in 1882, Sidney House now comprises one of four Field Houses situated along Milton Road, and facing the School playing fields to the rear.

Above all, Sidney is a home, a place where pupils can relax and be themselves. It is a close and supportive community, where courtesy, consideration and communication form the foundation of relationships with peers and staff at Oundle and in the House.

St Anthony

From September 2022, Chris Bradnam will take over from Peter Kemp as Housemaster for St Anthony. Chris teaches Physics and Computing, is the Head of Football and was the Deputy Housemaster at Fisher for two years. Prior to joining Oundle School, Chris worked at Spratton Hall for ten years. He is married to Julie, a French teacher, and has two children who both attend Oundle School. Chris enjoys playing football, cricket and golf, as well as reading, watching science fiction films and live sporting events. Chris is looking forward to getting to know the boys in St Anthony and working with them to develop their own interests and talents.

Overview

St Anthony House stands on Milton Road, well positioned between games fields and academic departments, facing the School Chapel with which it shares its patron saint. Its copper-domed tower is a local landmark clearly visible as one approaches Oundle from the west. The extensive outside space includes a walled garden where Paddock football is regularly enjoyed, as well as a grass tennis court and an enclosed yard for ‘Yardy’ cricket.

The House spirit emphasis is on giving things a go, supporting and respecting each other and allowing everyone to be themselves. House values include enthusiasm, tolerance, respect, kindness, responsibility, integrity, humility and camaraderie.

Laxton

Adam Langsdale came to Oundle in 2000 as Head of Biology and became Housemaster of School House in 2009. His wife is the School Archivist and their two sons are former Laxtonians.

Overview

Day pupils currently make up approximately one-quarter of the School’s total numbers, with boys and girls in almost equal proportion. Laxton pupils play an equal part in the academic, sporting and cultural life of the School, and the facilities on offer enable every pupil to follow a wide range of interests.

Every day (including Saturday) starts with registration in Laxton Cloisters between 8:00am and 8:25am. A cafeteria style lunch is taken in the Laxton Dining Room. The end of the day is variable, depending upon the age of the pupil and season of the year. Collection time is normally between 4:00pm and 6:00pm, but may be much later if there is a late afternoon rehearsal, evening lecture or theatre event to attend.

Laxton’s buildings occupy the attractive churchyard site of the original ‘gild’ school, which Oundle’s founder, Sir William Laxton, attended. They consist of the Cloisters, used for daily registration and other functions, the Long Room, used for additional assemblies, concerts and lectures, social areas, changing facilities and common rooms.

Laxton parents are invited to participate in the Friends of Laxton and Scott, which organises regular social events for parents, Staff and pupils. FOLS organises the sale of second hand uniform, and offers travel bursaries to pupils for educational activities.

Dryden

Amelia Barker will take over as Dryden Housemistress from September 2022. Amelia joined Oundle in September 2018 as a teacher of Psychology. Her previous position was Assistant Principal at Jumeirah College in Dubai, where she was also Head of Psychology. She is currently Charities Coordinator, overseeing the pupils’ charity work and a trustee of Oundle Mencap Holidays. She is married to Mike and they have a young son and daughter. Amelia enjoys running, reading and spending time with friends and family. She is looking forward to getting to know the girls in Dryden and being part of a thriving, inclusive and friendly House.

Overview

Built in 1938, Dryden is situated just north of the centre of Oundle, overlooking Home Close and SciTec. The house is named after the seventeenth century poet John Dryden, who was born in the local village of Aldwincle.

Above all else, Dryden is a home where girls belong and can be themselves. Kind and considerate behaviour is expected at all times. Honesty, integrity, common sense and clear communication are qualities to strive for. 

Kirkeby

Charlotte Deane will take over as Kirkeby Housemistress from September 2022. Charlotte has taught Theology, Philosophy and Religion at Oundle since 2011, having previously taught at Uppingham. She is currently Head of Academic Projects and has also been a Child Protection Officer. She is married to Brendan, who is Head of TPR, and they have two children. Charlotte coaches tennis at the School and takes pupils to volunteer at the soup kitchen in Peterborough as part of Oundle’s CA programme. She is a keen scuba diver and runner in her leisure time. Having been a pupil next door in Wyatt, Charlotte is looking forward to moving back into the building that feels a bit like home – albeit ‘on the other side’.

Overview

Kirkeby was built in 1990 to accommodate Oundle’s first girl boarders. The House takes its name from Joan Kirkeby, the wife of Sir William Laxton who endowed and re-founded the School in 1556. It is situated on Pavilion Drive, surrounded by playing fields, and linked to Wyatt House and the Health Centre. The accommodation includes studies and dormitories for the Third and Fourth Forms and bedsits for the senior year groups. There are also a number of spacious common areas.

A boarding House is a community, where kindness and courtesy ensure it is a home where everyone is happy, confident and content. 

New House

Caroline Rees has a first class degree in mechanical engineering and an MSc from Loughborough University. Before becoming a teacher, Caroline worked in industry, including for Rolls Royce. In her previous school, she was Deputy Head of Science and Head of Fourth and Fifth Form. She trained with the Northern Ballet and has a black belt in karate. She and her partner have two children.

Overview

New House was converted to a girls House in 1997, but was first used as a boarding house in 1907. Despite its name, the original building is one of the oldest that the School owns. Although much extended and modernised over the years, New House still retains its more ancient charm. With a large paddock which runs down to the Nene River, and views over adjacent pastures, New House holds a unique position in the town.

New House is a home, a place where you can be yourself, where you belong.  It is also a place to flourish, both academically and in the wider sense, to make the most of what Oundle has to offer.

Sanderson

Sarah Johnson has taught Music at Oundle since 1999, was formerly Assistant Director of Music, and Deputy Housemistress at Wyatt House. A former trustee of Oundle School Mencap Holiday, she continues to assist as a volunteer each summer on this project. Sarah has three children.

Overview

Sanderson was designed by the distinguished architect WA Forsyth and built in 1938. It is named after FW Sanderson who was Headmaster from 1901-22, and described by HG Wells as ‘the greatest Headmaster the world has ever seen’. Located to the north of the town, it overlooks Home Close.

The girls in Sanderson are well known for their House spirit and for always trying their hardest in everything, especially inter-House competitions.

Wyatt

Ellie Talbot will take over from Nicola Mola as Housemistress of Wyatt in September 2022. Ellie is a teacher of English and a Child Protection Officer. Before joining Oundle, Ellie worked at Oakham School and Eastbourne College. The Talbot family are all part of the Oundle community: her husband, David, is Head of Physics and Assistant Director of Sport and they have two children. Ellie enjoys reading, theatre-going, running and eating her husband’s cooking. She is looking forward to getting to know the Wyatt girls and inheriting a House she knows to have an ethos of kindness, courtesy and enthusiasm.

Overview

With her husband Robert, Joan Wyatt co-founded the Guild of Our Lady of Oundle in the early part of the sixteenth century, and gave her name to one of a pair of houses built in 1990 for the first girl boarders. Wyatt was purpose-built with many spacious common rooms, and is surrounded by the School playing fields from its position on Pavilion Drive

Wyatt is a thriving, energetic community, built upon mutual respect. Wyatt girls develop the key virtues of honesty, integrity, common sense and consideration. It is a happy house, filled with brave, sporty, talented and caring girls