OSEL Activity

International education groups, including Exsportise, brought students from seven European countries, many travelling for the first time in two years. New UKbased clients included the British Triathlon group and hockey-focused Future Sports.

A corporate offer has been developed for meetings and delegations on site, alongside a portfolio for photography and filming. A successful photoshoot was booked by Peugeot and Fairline Yachts regularly held board meetings at the School. Our own Engineering Course, run by our new partner Swansea University, was a highlight of the year, with 40 budding teenage engineers enjoying five days working with Swansea University technicians and members of the Bloodhound Land Speed Record design team. A further residential model is being developed for 2023.

Income Generation

In order to increase the limited sums ascribed from fee income to the School’s strategic development and to provide extra resources to set against ongoing operational costs, the School engages in further income-generating activities. These activities complement the School’s wider objectives and are run by Oundle School Enterprises Ltd (OSEL), the trading arm of the School. All profit is directly gifted back to assist with Bursaries and future developments.

Activities primarily include:

● Letting out accommodation and facilities, mostly during the holidays

● Opening up Oundle School Sports Centre and sports facilities on a commercial basis.

OSEL continues to be affected by Covid-19 and while some residential groups have returned, the post pandemic world of overseas residential customers has changed significantly. OSEL has pivoted well to attract new and existing customers, with a strong performance from Oundle School Sports Centre which is still in growth stage. These factors have resulted in an improved position, but a financial loss was nonetheless recorded during the year, with parent company financial support required to ensure reserves remained appropriate.

We were delighted to accommodate the Gabrieli Roar, an ambitious training scheme for exceptional teenage singers. 157 singers aged 9 - 18 from 14 youth and school choirs, along with 70 professional musicians, rehearsed at Oundle before their concert in Ely Cathedral.

OSEL residents stayed at Oundle for more than 9,500 bed nights, with more than 1,600 bed changes completed by the domestic team.

Our catering team prepared and served over 29,000 meals.