We pride ourselves in the pursuit of sporting excellence and supporting pupils to compete in local, regional and national level competitions across a wide range of sports and age groups. For Sport Scholarship applicants, we are looking for talented sportsmen and women who have both the passion to improve, and the appreciation of what the exceptional can look like. We encourage all those to apply who strive to realise their sporting potential, as well as set the standard and inspire those around them.
Nick Beasant, Director of Sport

Our Approach

We place great value on our Sport Scholarship scheme, which sits within our Dedicated Athlete Programme. Both help develop and motivate all those who show the necessary potential, ambition, and dedication. Oundle enjoys an impressive record of sporting achievement, with teams and individuals regularly competing to a high level including numerous sports-specific performance player pathways.

We expect our Sport Scholars to be role models and leaders both on and off the field of play. They in turn can expect first class coaching and access to outstanding facilities, coupled with individual support and mentoring. 

Our approach

Our commitment to our Scholars

We are committed to creating coaching and training programmes to ensure we can deliver a high level of individual support, whilst helping our Scholars balance their time between academic endeavour and sporting commitments. We offer: 

  • One-to-one and small group sport-specific technical coaching sessions and analysis sessions
  • Bespoke strength and conditioning programmes developed by our in-house coaching staff
  • Flexible approach and training pathways
  • Education sessions on nutrition and injury prevention and rehabilitation
  • Access to group and 1-1 sports psychology support sessions
  • Regular talks and seminars on key topics such as lifestyle management, building resilience, and target setting
  • Fully funded sports scholar trips and on-site workshops from a range of visiting guest ambassadors.
As an Oundle sports scholar I was supported so much by all members of staff who were a significant help in developing my rugby. The facilities Oundle offered me contributed greatly to my success. For example, I was given any-time access to the on-site gym and 1 to 1 rugby skills sessions delivered by experienced coaches as well as players. Additionally, I was able to work with a nutritionist as well as a psychologist to help aid my overall health and performance. The school were incredibly supportive of my external commitments with Northampton Saints, providing transport to get me to and from training and matches.
Billy Pasco, Northampton Saints and Former Oundle Sport Scholar

Outstanding indoor and outdoor facilities provide pupils with the best possible environment in which to train and compete including a 50 metre swimming pool, eight court sports hall and 70 station fitness suite and a superbly equipped performance gym.

40

qualified coaches who work across a wide range of sports including full time members of coaching staff in cricket, hockey, netball, rowing, rugby and swimming

8

football pitches

4

Astroturf hocky pitches

20

Netball courts

9

Cricket Squares

20

Cricket Nets

6

Lane tartan athletics track

10

Rugby pitches

16

Hard-surface tennis courts

32

Astroturf tennis courts

Could you be our next Sport Scholar?

What do we look for at 13+?
What do we look for at 16+?
How do I apply for a Sport Scholarship?
Is bursary support available to Scholars?
Can you apply for a Scholarship in more than one discipline?

The majority of our Scholars are talented players across one or more of the four major team sports played at Oundle: rugby, hockey, netball or cricket. We are looking for young people with the potential to excel in at least one of these sports and we anticipate that most will have played their strongest sport at a representative age group level. We also welcome applications from dedicated athletes with sporting ability across a range of sports, including athletics, golf, tennis, and swimming, although these might not be assessed on the day. The Director of Sport is always willing to guide individuals on their potential suitability ahead of submitting an application. 

Sporting potential, a desire to learn and develop, as well as a strong sense of teamwork are key personal attributes for a 13+ Sport Scholar. Held over the course of one day spent at Oundle, assessment will involve skills tests and physical assessments, training sessions in at least two chosen sports, and an interview. Reports from Heads of Sport and coaches are required in support of all applicants. 

We focus on skilful players of the four major team sports played at Oundle: rugby, hockey, netball or cricket. We are looking for sportsmen and women who excel in at least one of these sports and we anticipate that the best candidates will have played their strongest sport at representative level. As with 13+ Scholarships, we also welcome talented athletes with a proven sporting ability in other sports; the Director of Sport is always willing to guide individuals on their potential suitability ahead of application. Strategic thinking, leadership, and an overarching commitment to training and self-improvement are the key characteristics we look for in applicants.

To apply for a Sport Scholarship or for any general questions or Scholarship assessment related queries please contact the Admissions office

Tel: 01832 277125

admissions@oundleschool.org.uk

All Scholarship applicants are encouraged to apply for means-tested bursaries should they need financial support. We are proud that over one hundred pupils at Oundle are supported with bursaries and we are continually working to increase our Bursary Endowment Fund. 

Talented candidates who have a genuine interest and ability in two or more of our Scholarship disciplines are invited to consider applying for an Oundle Scholarship. An Oundle Scholarship recognises and celebrates the qualities we look for in all our pupils: high academic standards together with significant commitment to the wider life of the School. 

Assessment includes social and communication skills, mental dexterity, and the ability to influence and lead others positively by argument and example. Oundle Scholars are offered access to elements of the Academic Scholarship Programme, as well as to many of the enrichment opportunities provided for Scholars in their two areas of particular interest. 

Could you be our next Sport Scholar?

What do we look for at 13+?

The majority of our Scholars are talented players across one or more of the four major team sports played at Oundle: rugby, hockey, netball or cricket. We are looking for young people with the potential to excel in at least one of these sports and we anticipate that most will have played their strongest sport at a representative age group level. We also welcome applications from dedicated athletes with sporting ability across a range of sports, including athletics, golf, tennis, and swimming, although these might not be assessed on the day. The Director of Sport is always willing to guide individuals on their potential suitability ahead of submitting an application. 

Sporting potential, a desire to learn and develop, as well as a strong sense of teamwork are key personal attributes for a 13+ Sport Scholar. Held over the course of one day spent at Oundle, assessment will involve skills tests and physical assessments, training sessions in at least two chosen sports, and an interview. Reports from Heads of Sport and coaches are required in support of all applicants. 

What do we look for at 16+?

We focus on skilful players of the four major team sports played at Oundle: rugby, hockey, netball or cricket. We are looking for sportsmen and women who excel in at least one of these sports and we anticipate that the best candidates will have played their strongest sport at representative level. As with 13+ Scholarships, we also welcome talented athletes with a proven sporting ability in other sports; the Director of Sport is always willing to guide individuals on their potential suitability ahead of application. Strategic thinking, leadership, and an overarching commitment to training and self-improvement are the key characteristics we look for in applicants.

How do I apply for a Sport Scholarship?

To apply for a Sport Scholarship or for any general questions or Scholarship assessment related queries please contact the Admissions office

Tel: 01832 277125

admissions@oundleschool.org.uk

Is bursary support available to Scholars?

All Scholarship applicants are encouraged to apply for means-tested bursaries should they need financial support. We are proud that over one hundred pupils at Oundle are supported with bursaries and we are continually working to increase our Bursary Endowment Fund. 

Can you apply for a Scholarship in more than one discipline?

Talented candidates who have a genuine interest and ability in two or more of our Scholarship disciplines are invited to consider applying for an Oundle Scholarship. An Oundle Scholarship recognises and celebrates the qualities we look for in all our pupils: high academic standards together with significant commitment to the wider life of the School. 

Assessment includes social and communication skills, mental dexterity, and the ability to influence and lead others positively by argument and example. Oundle Scholars are offered access to elements of the Academic Scholarship Programme, as well as to many of the enrichment opportunities provided for Scholars in their two areas of particular interest.