Oundle School, in Northamptonshire, announces plans for new girls' boarding house in Milton Road as part of expansion

A public school is looking to build a town centre boarding house on the site of a former primary school as part of ambitious expansion plans.

Oundle School is drawing up plans for a new girls' boarding house for up to 60 pupils, plus staff, which it hopes to open in 2026.

It has been earmarked for a site at the town's former primary school in Milton Road which was bought by the school three years ago.

The school, which has been co-educational for almost 35 years, has also announced a rolling programme of major refurbishment across its boarding estate.

Over the next two years, the junior day house, for pupils aged 11 to 13, will be expanded, while the senior day house, for ages 13 to 18, will be remodelled into two co-educational houses in the centre of Oundle.

"We place the highest value on giving our pupils every possible opportunity to flourish and on being true to our identity as a co-educational boarding school," said Oundle School headteacher Sarah Kerr-Dineen.

"This vision is our once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in those things that matter most to us and to secure the long-term security of the school we want to be."

At Laxton Junior School, a new state-of-the-art play-orientated Early Years Foundation Stage space will be open for the next school year, designed with connected indoor and outdoor areas.

A remodelled science and engineering lab is also planned as well as an art and design studio.

All developments are being funded by a legacy from former Laxton Junior School headteacher Sue Thomas.

Sam Robertson, headteacher of Laxton Junior School, added: “We have always sought to provide an innovative and modern experience and, through these developments, I believe that every child will benefit from these new opportunities that will enhance their love of learning and further prepare them for senior school and beyond.”