Firmly Grounded LJS to Oundle
Oundle at 11+
Joining Oundle at 11+ marks the start of senior school life, though it is still very much childhood.
At this age, our priority is to provide a warm, supportive environment where pupils feel safe, known, and excited about what lies ahead.
Each year around seventy pupils join Oundle at 11+ as boarders or day pupils. As part of a large and lively school, they benefit from the breadth of opportunity Oundle offers, while being cared for in a close-knit setting that allows them to settle, form friendships and grow in confidence.
“This is such a wonderful age. Children simply want to enjoy everything school has to offer and make the most of every opportunity.”
Sarah
Johnson, 11+ Registrar
Life at 11+
At 11+, boarders enter The Berrystead, our junior boarding House, and day pupils are based in the adjacent Scott House. Both benefit from dedicated spaces and strong pastoral teams, alongside access to the superb facilities and specialist teaching Oundle is known for.
Across these two formative years, the focus is on developing intellectual curiosity, building positive learning habits, and becoming more independent. All pupils move seamlessly into a senior House at 13+, with some day pupils choosing to take up boarding at that stage.
Learning at 11+
At 11+, learning at Oundle is broad, engaging, and carefully balanced. Pupils encounter new subjects and ways of thinking and are encouraged to think deeply, ask questions, and make connections, within a supportive academic framework.
All subjects are taught by specialist teachers, many of whom teach through to IGCSE and A level, giving pupils a strong foundation and a sense of intellectual continuity from the outset. Small classes and attentive teaching ensure that pupils are stretched appropriately and feel confident as they grow academically.
Beyond lessons, a wide range of co-curricular opportunities allows pupils to explore interests and enjoy learning in different settings.
Boarding at 11+
Boarding at 11+ offers a supportive and confidencebuilding introduction to boarding life. Junior boarders are part of a welcoming community where they are known well and cared for closely, while gradually developing independence. Evenings and weekends are busy and varied, with activities, trips, and space to play, helping friendships to form naturally and happily.
Across the two year groups there are over forty junior boarders, most of whom board full time. Weekly and flexible boarding options are also available at this age, offering a gentle route into full boarding at 13+.
“ My favourite thing about boarding is going to the gardens, having a great time with everybody and just laughing at silly things.”
Omnia
Saturday mornings at 11+ are designed to feel different. Instead of a full timetable of lessons, pupils take part in Omnia, a bespoke programme unique to Oundle.
Omnia encourages exploration, creativity, and intellectual curiosity through a wide range of practical, creative, and academic activities. It provides a stimulating introduction to Saturday learning and a natural stepping stone into Third Form, where formal lessons begin.
Making the most of life at Oundle
Life at Oundle extends well beyond the classroom. Pupils are encouraged to take part, try new things, and involve themselves fully in School life, whether through sport, music, drama, outdoor activities, and community involvement.
At this stage, the emphasis is on participation, adventure, and enjoyment, helping children to grow socially as well as academically and find the things they really love.
“Omnia
reflects our commitment to ensuring that our youngest pupils develop a wide range of skills and character traits beyond the academic curriculum.”
An average week
Although there is no such thing as an ‘average week’ at Oundle this illustration gives a flavour of what life looks like for our First and Second Form pupils.
(Junior
Boarders’ Supper
Boarders’ Prep
Sunday: Funday!
Trips, house activities and time with friends.
Steeped in tradition, yet never standing still, Oundle is a place where independence is instinctive, curiosity is boundless, and unshakable self-belief shapes kind pupils who, without fuss or fan-fare, go on to make a meaningful difference.
The Admissions pathway
Our aim is simple: we want to ensure that Oundle is the right school for each child who joins us. We work in partnership with LJS throughout the Admissions pathway and set great store by this close relationship.
Year 4
Oundle Admissions Focus
The focus is on life at LJS and on your child adapting to the prep phase. LJS will introduce you to the Future Schools pathway.
Year 5
The focus is on deciding upon your senior school of choice, including Oundle. The LJS Head will guide and support you throughout the year.
If Oundle is your preferred and recommended school, please register with Admissions by the end of Year 5.
Year 6
The focus is on preparation for senior school and continued academic trajectory to enable a smooth transition into Year 7.
Oundle staff work with LJS to help prepare children for life at Oundle.
There are no specific Oundle Admissions requirements at this stage, although parents are always welcome to visit.
Michaelmas Term: Our Registrar will introduce Oundle and the Admissions pathway at an LJS Parents in Partnership session. Individual visits throughout the year.
Summer Term: During this term we host a bespoke Open Day for LJS families. Alongside this all Year 5 pupils attend an Oundle Experience Day, with an optional sleepover. This helps us get to know the children more holistically ahead of the offer stage. In June, you will have a meeting with the LJS Head to discuss your child’s trajectory and the steer being given regarding Oundle.
Michaelmas Term: Formal written place offers are made by October Half Term.
Lent Term: All LJS Year 6 children will have the opportunity to spend a morning at Oundle.
Summer Term: There will be various induction and transition opportunities, including talks from former pupils. An Entrance Exhibition will be awarded to the top performer(s) in the end of year examinations.
Oundle offers
Unconditional place offer
• Made by October Half Term of Year 6.
• Offered to those children on a clear trajectory and for whom Oundle is absolutely the right school.
• No requirement to sit the 11+ assessment.
Tailored pathway offer
• Made by October Half Term of Year 6.
• Offered to those children for whom Year 5 is too early a stage for the trajectory to be clear, but whose potential we fully anticipate being fulfilled given a little more time. Every child develops at a different rate and some do not fully blossom until the latter years of a prep education.
• We commit to working closely with all involved to identify areas of focus and to support a smooth and successful transition into Year 7. A review will take place at the end of Year 7 to discuss trajectory into Third Form (Year 9)
• No requirement to sit the 11+ assessment.
11+ entrance examination
• Where a child’s trajectory suggests Oundle may not be the right school, we are always happy to meet with families as needed to offer further insight.
• Should Oundle remain a desired option, your child may sit the 11+ competitive assessments in January of Year 6.
• Any pupil joining LJS from Summer Term of Year 5 onwards will sit the 11+ Entrance Examination in Year 6.
Awards and scholarships
Oundle awards a limited number of Academic Entrance Exhibitions upon entry in recognition of outstanding academic achievements and effort. For LJS pupils, these are based predominantly upon performance in the end of Year 6 examinations, as well as academic trajectory throughout Years 5 and 6.
Music and Sport Awards are also available at this stage and recognise strong performance in these areas. The full range of Scholarships, including Academic, Art, DET, Drama, Music and Sport, as well as the Oundle Scholarship, is offered at 13+.
Founded on philanthropy, Oundle also offers a substantial means-tested bursary programme to support families with fees.
Before registering your child, we highly recommend that you visit us in person, not just to see the different aspects of the School but more importantly to meet the people who shape it. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information on visits: we would be delighted to welcome you.