Old Buckenham Hall
Old Buckenham Hall is a co-ed boarding and day school in Ipswich, Suffolk, educating pupils aged 2 - 13 and founded in 1862. Boarding fees are £12,760 - £15,615 per term. Our advice on this school is independent and free.
- Type
- Co-ed boarding & day
- Boarders from
- 7 - 13
- Ethos
- Non-denominational
- Guardian required
- Yes
About Old Buckenham Hall
The story, ethos and character of Old Buckenham Hall.
- Setting
- Rural
- Ethos
- Non-denominational
- Head
- Mr James Large
Old Buckenham Hall is a leading, co-educational independent boarding and day school for pupils aged 2 to 13 years, set within a spectacular, traditional English countryside estate in Suffolk. As a proud member of the Rugby School Group, OBH delivers an exceptional educational journey that seamlessly blends academic rigour with a forward-thinking, holistic curriculum designed to launch young people into the UK's most prestigious senior schools.
The Exclusive Boarding Pathway to Rugby School Our unique position within the Rugby School Group provides a secure, confident, and streamlined transition through to one of the UK's most celebrated senior boarding institutions. This dedicated pathway is structured to eliminate the traditional pressures of senior entry, offering financial, academic, and logistical advantages to OBH families.
Pupils who join OBH in Years 6 or 7 have the exclusive opportunity to sit a single, aligned entrance assessment.
To our boarding community, this pathway includes premier financial benefits. A 10% boarding fee discount at Rugby School is available for pupils who have made a significant commitment to boarding at OBH, which typically involves boarding for at least two nights a week during Years 7 and 8.
Additionally, the standard Rugby School registration fee of £250 plus VAT is entirely waived for families applying through this single assessment pathway. Because OBH and Rugby School are perfectly aligned in their ethos, our pupils benefit from regular exchange visits, combined masterclasses, and collaborative sporting fixtures.
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Academics at Old Buckenham Hall
What pupils study at Old Buckenham Hall — and where it takes them.
This section provides information on: The curriculum, performing and creative arts, English as an additional , and special educational needs (SEN). About the curriculum The curriculum at OBH covers all the planned activities that we organise in order to promote our pupils' learning, personal growth and development.
It includes not only the formal requirements of Common Entrance, Scholarship and other entrance exams but also the range of extra-curricular activities that the school organizes in order to enrich the experience of the children. It also includes the 'hidden curriculum', or what children learn from the way they are treated and expected to behave.
Programmes offered
Where our leavers go
The OBH Journey: Opening Doors to the Country's Elite Senior Schools An Old Buckenham Hall education provides an exceptional foundation, allowing our pupils to transition seamlessly into the UK's most competitive day and boarding environments. We take immense pride in our long-standing reputation as a trusted feeder to the nation's top-tier senior schools.
A Proven Pathway to Prestigious Destinations (Past 5 Years)Our reach is truly national, with OBH pupils consistently securing places at world-renowned institutions. Our destination schools include: Ampleforth College, Benenden School, Brighton College, Charterhouse School, Culford School, Eton College, Felsted School, Framlingham College, Gresham's School, Haileybury, Harrow School, Ipswich School, King's Ely, Malvern College, Marlborough College, Oakham School, Oundle School, Radley College, The Royal Hospital School, Rugby School, Sedbergh School, Sherborne Boys, Shrewsbury School, St Mary's School Ascot, Stowe School, The Leys School, Tudor Hall, Uppingham School, Wellington College, Winchester College, and Wycombe Abbey, among many others.
An Outstanding Record of Scholarship Excellence The success of our specialised preparation programme is reflected in the extraordinary number of awards achieved by our pupils. In the past six years alone, OBH leavers have been awarded a total of 83 full scholarships, alongside numerous exhibitions and prestigious awards, to the leading schools in the country.
The Class of 2025: In one of the most successful academic years in our school's history, an incredible 32 full scholarships were secured from a cohort of 41 pupils. Spotlight on Success: The Class of 2026Our current cohort continues to maintain our high standards of excellence across academics, sports, and the creative arts, securing high-profile accolades at the UK's most selective senior schools: Academic Excellence: Demonstrating deep intellectual curiosity, our pupils have secured prestigious awards including an Academic Scholarship to Rugby School (with specific commendation in History and French) and an Academic Scholarship to Culford School.
Elite Sporting Success: Our athletes are regularly recognised by national sporting titans. Recent awards include a Sport Scholarship and a Sports Exhibition Award to Radley College, a Sport Headmaster's Award to Rugby School (celebrating multi-sport excellence across cricket and hockey), and additional Sport Scholarships to Sedbergh School, Uppingham School, Gresham's School, Ipswich School, and Framlingham College.
Creative and Performing Arts: OBH pupils continue to thrive on the national stage, securing a Music Scholarship to King's Ely, a Dance Scholarship to Tudor Hall, and an Art Scholarship to Gresham's School. Exceptional Multi-Disciplinary Dual Awards: Our Bespoke Scholarship Programme is uniquely designed to identify and nurture versatile talent, as proven by our recent multiple-award winners: Oundle School: Dual Scholarships awarded in both Drama and Sport, alongside a further dual award in both Sport and Art.
Culford School: A prestigious dual scholarship awarded across both Art and Design Technology, celebrating exceptional multidisciplinary craftsmanship spanning ceramics and textiles.
Figures are indicative — contact us for the latest results.
Boarding at Old Buckenham Hall
Day-to-day boarding life and pastoral care at Old Buckenham Hall.
- Boarding houses
- Girls 1, Boys 1, Mixed 0
- Exeat weekends
- No
- Guardian required
- Yes
- Saturday lessons
- Yes
We strongly believe in the value of boarding; by living together in a community the children are able to build up their self-confidence, independence and community spirit. Throughout the school, international pupils benefit greatly from our modern approach to boarding education and fit in quickly to our community of 90 regular boarders.
Our aim is to integrate international pupils quickly, enabling them to access the Common Entrance curriculum as effectively as possible. +12 photos Pastoral care and staffing Boarding at OBH has proven to be enormously successful with international pupils, who value the , knowledge and independence that it offers within a safe and structured environment.
A genuine home away from home
We have three Boarding Houses; Lodge a senior girls' house, Merton a senior boys' house and Spero, a junior boarding house for Years 3, 4 and 5 boarders. A recent refurbishment has ensured dorms are bright and modern with common rooms to relax in.
The Headmaster lives in the heart of the school and a dedicated team of boarding staff are responsible for the overall welfare and day-to-day wellbeing of the boarders. Spero (Boys and Girls) Spero is a junior boarding house for girls and boys in years 3, 4 and 5.
We can arrange trusted UK guardianship for international families.
Old Buckenham Hall admissions
How children join Old Buckenham Hall, and how we make it simple.
Tell us about your child
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We shortlist & introduce
We match you to the right schools and make the introductions to their admissions teams.
Assessment, offer & enrolment
We guide you through entrance assessments and interviews, and handle visas and guardianship if needed.
What you'll typically need
- Recent school reports or transcript
- Passport copy
- English-language evidence (if applicable)
- Completed registration form
- A reference from the current school
Uniform The school assists international students in obtaining their uniforms upon arrival. Uniforms are available through the school's designated uniform provider or our popular second-hand uniform shop. We also offer a uniform rental service for students enrolled in short-term study programs.
Special notes to agents about entry to the school Application procedure and entrance tests Step 1: Initial Enquiry Check availability of places by contacting: Kate Walmsley, Registrar T: +44 1449 740252admissions@obh. co. uk Step 2: Registration Complete a Registration Form and transfer £100 per child to register you interest and begin the admissions process.
As your advisors we manage the application end-to-end at no cost.
Old Buckenham Hall fees & funding
What Old Buckenham Hall costs, what's included, and how we help with funding.
What termly boarding fees include
- Tuition
- Boarding accommodation
- All meals
- Pastoral & house care
- Most academic materials
Funding & scholarships
Registration deposits, EAL tuition, uniform and trips are usually charged separately. Many schools offer academic, sport, music and art scholarships plus means-tested bursaries — ask us and we'll send a full, current breakdown for Old Buckenham Hall.
Fees change year to year and by entry point. As your independent advisors we hold up-to-date figures and can compare Old Buckenham Hall against similar schools so you know exactly what to budget.
Figures shown are the latest we hold — we'll confirm current fees on enquiry.
Old Buckenham Hall location & travel
Where Old Buckenham Hall is, and how to get there.
Travel details Address Brettenham Park, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP7 7PH, England Airport transfer Suffolk: The Perfect Balance of Elite British Heritage and Unmatched Convenience Suffolk represents the absolute pinnacle of the traditional British boarding experience.
Known as one of the safest, most picturesque counties in the United Kingdom, it provides a tranquil, protected environment where children can truly enjoy an authentic country childhood, free from the distractions and pollution of major cities.
Inside Old Buckenham Hall
Old Buckenham Hall — frequently asked questions
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