Introduction from the Chairman

The aim of The Review is to take the School’s strategic objectives in turn and to give tangible insight into how the School provided an education of the highest class during the preceding academic year.

It affords the Governing Body great pleasure to be able to reflect on a ‘normal’ School year that has been enriched by opportunity in every walk of School life. Pupil numbers remain strong and while we remain mindful of the current economic climate, we continue to set our sights on longterm planning to ensure the future health of the School for generations to come. The launch of Project 24 bears witness to our continued commitment to a modern full boarding ethos, alongside our determination to ensure this environment offers unparalleled provision for our day pupils. At the heart of all strategic planning lies a firm belief in remaining true to what we value the most and who we are as a School.

In The Review 2019, we reflected on an increased focus on boosting bursarial support while simultaneously emphasising the integrity of Oundle’s scholarship programme. All awarded Scholarships are now purely honorary and won in open competition, with defined programmes of support and extension for award holders across each discipline. The Scholarship feature in this issue shines a light on what this means to those pupils. We are proud to provision a sum equivalent to 8 - 9% of fee income on bursaries and legacy scholarships to the families of children who would most benefit from an Oundle education, and continue to aim to grow this to 10%.

The strong results achieved at A level and (I)GCSE further demonstrate the integrity of the School’s approach, not only to the awarding of Centre Assessed Grades and Teacher Assessed Grades over the past two years, but the preservation of the education of the young people within its care throughout the pandemic. The dedication of Oundle teachers to the intellectual, social and personal development of Oundelians is exceptional.

Key to the ongoing financial strength of the School is income generation beyond fees and the growth of the Foundation’s endowment fund. It is pleasing to see that the Sports Centre continues to go from strength to strength, both in terms of commercial revenue and in service to the wider community. Debt overall this year has been reduced and the Governors are determined to maintain an equitable balance between ensuring the current pupils benefit, whilst also ensuring that a sound infrastructure and financial base are preserved for the next generation of pupils.

On behalf of the Governing Body, I would like, as always, to record my sincere gratitude to all staff and supporters of the School.

Robert Ringrose Chairman of the Governing Body

Excerpt from Speech Day 2022

There is a new joyfulness here at Oundle, an enormous sense of gratitude for the opportunities we have, made all the more precious for their having been removed. There is a noticeable increase in our pupils’ wish to be connected with life beyond the School. The pandemic played out on a world stage, yet lockdowns meant that our children were simultaneously restricted in their contact with their own local physical world and free to roam an online world that knows no boundary. This continues to bring with it its own problems, of course, but online membership of the world out there has brought with it a sense of purpose in our pupils: to bring about change. They mind about inclusion, about prejudice and unkindness, about the future of our planet. They want us to help them to make things better, and this we undertake readily, wholeheartedly.”

Sarah Kerr-Dineen Head

Project 24

Strengthening Our Commitment To Boarding

● A new, purpose-built girls’ boarding House will be constructed in the centre of Oundle, with planning commencing in 2023

● A long-term ambitious rolling programme of refurbishment will be introduced across the whole boarding estate.