Sport Scholarships

SCHOLARSHIPS

SPORT

“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

SPORT AT OUNDLE

Pupils participate in a minimum of three sports afternoons per week across 20+ sports and can train up to five times per week, depending on individual training programmes. The Sport and PE departments consist of 10 full-time members of staff, alongside specialist PE teachers. Coaching is led by specific Heads of Sports, many of whom have performed and coached at the highest level and who are assisted by a team of sports specific coaches and carefully selected, talented Resident Assistant Sports Coaches. Bespoke strength and conditioning programmes are developed by inhouse coaching staff, culminating in individual training programmes tailored for each pupil’s needs. These are delivered during timetabled weekly sessions. Pre-season training both in the UK and abroad, is an integral part of our sports programmes, with highly successful sports tours enabling pupils to travel and compete against teams from around the world.

COULD YOU BE OUR NEXT SPORT SCHOLAR?

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.

Where schedules allow, we will endeavour to organise a member of our sports staff to visit and watch a candidate train or play under match conditions prior to the assessment day.

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.

Assessment will involve an interview and, where possible, include a skills test and training in an Oundle School sports session. Reports from Heads of Sport and coaches are required, whilst accompanying video footage of a candidate playing in match conditions is also highly recommended. Where schedules allow, a member of our sports staff will also travel to watch a candidate train or play competitively prior to the assessment day.

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. We work with pupils in group sessions during the Third and Fourth Form to develop an allround physical development. This progresses to individual training programmes, tailored for each pupil’s needs, and delivered during specific weekly sessions

● Flexible approach and training pathways

● Where appropriate, all Scholars attend regular group or one-to-one meetings with an allocated Sport Scholar mentor selected from within the Sports department

● 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

“Oundle has over forty 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.”

SPORT SCHOLAR PROFILES

Billy Pasco Sport Scholar

“As an Oundle sports scholar I have been supported so much by all members of staff who have been a signifcant help in developing my rugby. The facilities Oundle has offered me have contributed greatly to my success. For example, I am given any-time access to the on site gym and 1 to 1 rugby skills sessions (of which I am very grateful for) delivered by experienced coaches aswell as players.

Additionally, I have been able to work with a nutritionist aswell as a psychologist to help aid my overall health and performance. The school has also been incredibly supportive of my external commitments with Northampton Saints by providing transport to get me to and from training and matches. Training with the Saints has given me amazing experiences.To be given the opportunity to even train with their first team and has allowed me to lead and raise my own, and my teams’ standards at Oundle. Oundle has encouraged my academic progression and provided help with managing my time around the classroom.”

Sophie Watts Sport Scholar

“Oundle has played a fundamental role in my development as an athlete and has offered me an expansive support network for all the demands of top level sport. Before I began at secondary school, I was on the Scottish Hockey age group pathway and when I arrived at Oundle, my needs as a sport scholar were instantly met: I was directed onto the English Hockey pathway, playing in Future’s Cup in my first year, and my sporting journey flourished from this point onwards. I played hockey at a high level throughout the first three years at Oundle and in the L6th was selected for England’s U18 squad. I could not have done so without the tools that Oundle provided.

As part of the scholarship program from third form onwards, I received strength and conditioning training twice a week and, now in the sixth form, the lead coaches of Athletic development have specialised my program to cater for the demands of international sport. But the most important thing for myself has undoubtedly been the balance that the scholarship program can offer. As an academic scholar also, my schedule is often bustling with activity but the sport coaches and teachers are excellent at supporting pupils and helping them not only with time management but also finding time to rest in between matches or academic commitments. Oundle really does go above and beyond: I am driven to my Talent Academy training weekly, offered nutrition seminars from experts, provided with a sports mentor for one to one counsel and receive one to one hockey training weekly to ensure I’m always learning or improving. Oundle has taught me indispensable lessons of teamsmanship, diligence, and the rewards of hard work.”

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. Sport Scholars are supported to represent their sport at county, regional and national level. 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 to help balance sporting and academic challenges. We believe these details will make all the difference to Scholars performing at the top level within their chosen sport.

OUR FACILITIES

Outstanding facilities provide pupils and staff with the best possible environment in which to train and compete. We are fortunate to benefit from two excellent indoor spaces: a new Sports Centre which opened in 2020, showcasing a 50-metre swimming pool, an eight-court sports hall with an adaptable playing space for a range of sports, a 70-station fitness suite, a dedicated dance studio, and three further multipurpose studios, as well as The Acre, home to the Sport and PE departments, a superbly equipped performance gym, a climbing wall, indoor cricket nets and indoor courts.

Outdoor facilities include:

● A six lane tartan athletics track

● 10 Rugby pitches

● 4 Astroturf hockey pitches

● 20 Netball courts

● 9 Cricket squares

● 20 Cricket nets

● 16 Hard-surface tennis courts

● 32 Astroturf tennis courts

● 8 Football pitches

● 2 Boat houses on the River Nene

BURSARIES

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.

THE OUNDLE SCHOLARSHIP

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, which can include sport for those who show the appropriate level and ability on assessment.

CONTACT DETAILS

Nick Beasant, Director of Sport neb@oundleschool.org.uk

The Admissions Office

For any general questions or Scholarship assessment related queries, please contact the Admissions Office: Tel: 01832 277125 admissions@oundleschool.org.uk

“I could not have asked for better support through my Scholarship to allow me to emerge as a young athlete.”

Sienna Rushton Former Sport Scholar Leeds Rhinos and England Roses Netball

The Worshipful Company of Grocers

Oundle has its origin in a grammar school founded in 1556 by Sir William Laxton, who was Master of the Worshipful Company of Grocers eight times between 1536 and 1552 and Lord Mayor of London in 1544.

The Grocers’ Company is one of the oldest Livery Companies of the City of London and ranks second in the order of precedence. Under the terms of the will of Sir William Laxton, the Grocers’ Company gives generously to charity when its means allow and continues to demonstrate its support for the School through the provision of bursaries and grants. The School’s Governing Body consists of seventeen members, including eight Governors nominated by the Court of the Grocers’ Company.

www.oundleschool.org.uk