From September 2027, Laxton Junior School will be renamed Oundle Prep School, known on a day to day basis as Oundle Prep.
The new name reflects the relationship with Oundle School that has always existed and gives the school a clearer identity for the future. It strengthens the school for the future without changing what makes it distinctive: its own leadership, character and educational approach.
Laxton Junior School was founded in 1973 as part of the Corporation of Oundle School and has long benefitted from a close relationship with Oundle School. That relationship has therefore always existed, but our current name does not always make it obvious to families beyond our immediate community.
Renaming us as Oundle Prep School gives our school a clearer identity and better reflects our place within the wider Oundle family.
"Oundle Prep will remain the distinctive, nurturing and ambitious prep school that families know today, with its own leadership, culture, educational philosophy and commitment to preparing pupils for a wide range of senior schools. Oundle Prep will be a school that combines academic excellence with character development, offers exceptional opportunities for children and prepares young people not simply for the next school, but for life. ".Lydia Waller, Head
We believe the name Oundle Prep School better reflects who we are today. It gives the school a clearer identity and more accurately reflects its long-standing place within the wider Oundle family whilst strengthening its position for the future.
No. Both schools are thriving, with record pupil numbers across the whole institution. Our ambition is to build on our vision of what constitutes a prep education, be clear in our identity within the Oundle family and ensure we continue to flourish for generations to come.
Not at all. The two schools have always formed part of the same Corporation, ever since LJS was founded in 1973. They will remain two distinct schools, each with its own identity, expertise and purpose united by shared values and a shared commitment to educational excellence.
Being a Prep School is more than a label or a name. It reflects a commitment to providing an exceptional all-round education that prepares children not only for their next school, but for life. It means combining academic excellence with outstanding pastoral care, specialist teaching, enriching opportunities beyond the classroom and a strong focus on developing character, confidence and independence. Your child’s experience will be just as it is today, with the education, pastoral care, leadership, staff and day-to-day life of the school remaining the same.
No. Oundle Prep will continue to have its own Head, leadership team, staff and educational philosophy.
Absolutely. Oundle Prep will continue to prepare children for a range of senior schools. Whilst many pupils move on to Oundle School, families will continue to choose the school that is right for their child.
No. The existing admissions arrangements with the preferential pathway remain unchanged.
First and foremost, please be reassured that our aim is to keep any changes, and associated costs to families, to a minimum. We are currently working through the details of what changes may be required and are very mindful that replacing school uniform can be expensive.
Any existing uniform items will continue to be accepted during a rollover period following the name change, so there will be no expectation for families to replace uniform immediately. We will share further information as soon as plans are finalised and will give parents plenty of notice of any future changes.
The Laxton name has served us with distinction for many years and remains an important part of our history. It does, of course, remain part of the institution’s heritage as it is one of Oundle School’s senior day Houses. The Griffin too, which is an adapted form from the Oundle crest, is an important part of our story. We are working through all these aspects and will ensure that in looking to the future, we protect all that has gone before and all that matters deeply for our community.
No. The opposite is true. The purpose of this change is to give the school the strongest possible future whilst preserving everything families already value: its warmth, its ambition, its sense of community and its focus on childhood.
While there are shared values and educational principles that run through the heart of our Oundle family, the distinctive qualities that make a great prep school are not the exact same as those that define a senior boarding and day school. We will continue to provide an education that is appropriate to the age and stage of our pupils’ development. Sharing the Oundle name reflects our commitment to an education philosophy, not a move towards greater uniformity.
No. Oundle Prep will continue to end at Year 6, preparing pupils well for their next school, whether Oundle or elsewhere. Years 7 and 8 at Oundle have their own dedicated campus, combining the support appropriate to this age with the extensive opportunities of the wider senior school. Pupils are taught by subject specialists, including the same staff who teach at GCSE and A level, and have full access to Oundle’s facilities. This offers the best of both worlds: a pastoral experience suited to this later prep phase and a smooth transition from Oundle Prep, alongside the intellectual breadth and specialist teaching of the senior school.
We believe the name Oundle Prep School better reflects who we are today. It gives the school a clearer identity and more accurately reflects its long-standing place within the wider Oundle family whilst strengthening its position for the future.
No. Both schools are thriving, with record pupil numbers across the whole institution. Our ambition is to build on our vision of what constitutes a prep education, be clear in our identity within the Oundle family and ensure we continue to flourish for generations to come.
Not at all. The two schools have always formed part of the same Corporation, ever since LJS was founded in 1973. They will remain two distinct schools, each with its own identity, expertise and purpose united by shared values and a shared commitment to educational excellence.
Being a Prep School is more than a label or a name. It reflects a commitment to providing an exceptional all-round education that prepares children not only for their next school, but for life. It means combining academic excellence with outstanding pastoral care, specialist teaching, enriching opportunities beyond the classroom and a strong focus on developing character, confidence and independence. Your child’s experience will be just as it is today, with the education, pastoral care, leadership, staff and day-to-day life of the school remaining the same.
No. Oundle Prep will continue to have its own Head, leadership team, staff and educational philosophy.
Absolutely. Oundle Prep will continue to prepare children for a range of senior schools. Whilst many pupils move on to Oundle School, families will continue to choose the school that is right for their child.
No. The existing admissions arrangements with the preferential pathway remain unchanged.
First and foremost, please be reassured that our aim is to keep any changes, and associated costs to families, to a minimum. We are currently working through the details of what changes may be required and are very mindful that replacing school uniform can be expensive.
Any existing uniform items will continue to be accepted during a rollover period following the name change, so there will be no expectation for families to replace uniform immediately. We will share further information as soon as plans are finalised and will give parents plenty of notice of any future changes.
The Laxton name has served us with distinction for many years and remains an important part of our history. It does, of course, remain part of the institution’s heritage as it is one of Oundle School’s senior day Houses. The Griffin too, which is an adapted form from the Oundle crest, is an important part of our story. We are working through all these aspects and will ensure that in looking to the future, we protect all that has gone before and all that matters deeply for our community.
No. The opposite is true. The purpose of this change is to give the school the strongest possible future whilst preserving everything families already value: its warmth, its ambition, its sense of community and its focus on childhood.
While there are shared values and educational principles that run through the heart of our Oundle family, the distinctive qualities that make a great prep school are not the exact same as those that define a senior boarding and day school. We will continue to provide an education that is appropriate to the age and stage of our pupils’ development. Sharing the Oundle name reflects our commitment to an education philosophy, not a move towards greater uniformity.
No. Oundle Prep will continue to end at Year 6, preparing pupils well for their next school, whether Oundle or elsewhere. Years 7 and 8 at Oundle have their own dedicated campus, combining the support appropriate to this age with the extensive opportunities of the wider senior school. Pupils are taught by subject specialists, including the same staff who teach at GCSE and A level, and have full access to Oundle’s facilities. This offers the best of both worlds: a pastoral experience suited to this later prep phase and a smooth transition from Oundle Prep, alongside the intellectual breadth and specialist teaching of the senior school.
If there is anything else you would like to ask about the change to Oundle Prep School, please contact us.
Nothing changes for families considering the school. You are applying to and joining the same school, with the same admissions process, people and approach. The only change from September 2027 will be the name.
You can continue to explore Laxton Junior School, arrange a visit or speak to our Admissions team as usual.
