What It Means To Be A Scholar At Oundle

“I’m new to Oundle this year and I feel that I have had so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’ve just been asked to play the organ for a service at the beginning of March which is nerve-racking because I’ve never done that before, but also really exciting. One of the things that’s special about being a Scholar is that you get to spend loads of time in the department where there are so many people like you, all loving the same thing. There’s a real sense of community and mentorship and that’s special to be part of.”

Cecilia (N L6), Music Scholar

13+ Scholarships

48

Academic 12

Academic Exhibition 7

Art 1

Drama 3

Music 2

Music Exhibition 9

Oundle 8

Sport 6

11+ Scholarships 10

Academic Exhibition 5

Music 2

Music Exhibition 3

“I sat the DET Scholarship examination once I was at Oundle because of Covid. I remember finding out just before an English lesson that I had been successful and I couldn’t sit still through the whole lesson because I was so pleased! It is an amazing feeling because it means all of your hard work has paid off. One of the biggest things for me is the validation that it’s ok to pursue your passion and spend lots of your free time doing what you really love. And for me, that’s working on a car and other projects in the workshops.”

Sophie (L 5), DET and Academic Scholar

“It’s a real privilege being a Sports Scholar. You get so much extra support and opportunity, from help with organisation of your commitments to extra sessions on the pitch and in the gym. It’s also made me think much more about leadership and the importance of leading by example, especially on the pitch.”

Billy (F L6), Sport Scholar

“Being a Scholar means we get to sink our teeth into so much, such as talks from experts in the field who are actually out there doing their work. I love Biology so to hear from someone who is doing a PhD in Biomaterials at Cambridge is just amazing and something I never dreamt I could do. It really validates your efforts too, having people recognise your work and then providing you with little channels to go down and specialist opportunities to explore. I feel that in some schools, if I said to someone that I was an Academic Scholar, I might get a bit judged, but here you just get respect.”

Emilia (L L6), Academic Scholar

“I really appreciate having a mentor who helps me balance sport and other School commitments. I also play a lot of hockey on an external performance pathway and my coaches have been brilliant, even taking me to training outside School. They also put on lots of extra sessions which really help us develop. Sometimes it’s just getting a nudge in the right direction which helps you be independent and take up the opportunities when they come.”

Camilla (Sn 5), Sport Scholar

“Being a Scholar really helps motivate you. As an artist, being able to curate an exhibition in the Yarrow Gallery was such a rewarding experience. The teachers also help prepare you for the future and for real-life experiences such as job applications and CVs. I’ve loved being able to work with Artists in Residence and go on trips to places such as the print workshops in Leicester.”

Max (C 5), Art Scholar

YOU ARE GIVEN SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES AT OUNDLE AND ESPECIALLY AS A SCHOLAR. IF YOU MAKE THE MOST OF THEM, YOU WILL JUST FLY. IT’S A VERY POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE TO EXPLORE THINGS THAT INTEREST YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH LIKE-MINDED AND ABLE PEOPLE. THERE IS A VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCHOLARS WHEN IT COMES TO STRETCHING EACH OTHER. TEACHERS ALSO TAKE A VERY ACTIVE INTEREST IN MAKING SURE THAT YOU’RE STRETCHING YOURSELF AND THAT YOU’RE ACADEMICALLY CHALLENGED.”

William (L U6), Academic Scholar

“Being a Scholar has made me much more conscious of being a role model to those around me and when I look back, I realise just how much I have developed in confidence. I have learnt so much from being around other Scholars and from being encouraged to listen and reflect on feedback in order to adapt my own style and ideas. Being given so many opportunities to work with professionals has also made a huge difference. Just recently for example, I was able to direct and create my own piece, which I never would have dreamt of doing back in Third Form.”

Mirabel (N L6), Drama and Academic Scholar

“I was lucky enough to have been awarded an Oundle Scholarship at 13+ which gave me a tangible sense of belonging to the School. In Fifth Form, I was awarded a Sports Scholarship, which came as a massive surprise as I hadn’t actively applied for it. It definitely motivated me and has made me realise just how much effort is put into specialist coaching as well as strength and conditioning programmes for our benefit. One of the aspects I really value is how it has broadened my circle of peers and staff, as well as the opportunity to train and play alongside talented sportsmen as well as women.“

Hannah (L U6), Oundle and Sport Scholar, Head of School

The Co-curriculum

We seek to provide a broad range of enriching opportunities that foster character, growth, responsibility, tough-mindedness and a commitment to excellence.

There has been a palpable sense of energy across the co-curriculum as opportunities reopened fully this year. The environmental agenda is increasingly an important consideration, especially as we return to a full trips programme. A new post GCSE programme was successfully introduced and we look forward to reinvigorating co-curricular opportunities for our youngest pupils, just as we have done with the electives programme across the board.

Combined Cadet Force (CCF)

The aims of the programme are twofold:

● The development of leadership skills among the senior Cadets

● The development of teamwork and self-confidence among the junior Cadets

A full annual training cycle was completed, including an Army Summer Camp attended by 50 Cadets. CCF training on Wednesday afternoons includes sailing and rowing for the Navy Section; infantry exercises, orienteering and shooting for the Army; flying and airmanship for the RAF Section; kayaking and climbing in the AT Section; and firefighting for the Fire and Rescue Section. Alongside further outdoor training, pupils also enjoyed Field Weekends for all year groups, a House March and Shoot Competition, and Northampton’s Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Parade, as well as a full Inspection Parade in May.

82 pupils performed at Franklin’s Gardens in the CCF Marching Band.