Friday 2nd October 2026 | 10am

Brettenham Park, Ipswich, Suffolk | Co-educational Day & Prep Boarding (Ages 2–13) | Part of the Rugby School Group 

Welcome to Old Buckenham Hall

Commended: Boarding School of the Year – Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026

Our Open Mornings are designed to give you an authentic look at daily life at Old Buckenham Hall, one of Suffolk’s leading independent prep schools.

At OBH, we bring out the very best in every child. We are an inclusive, non-selective school where every child is both supported and challenged. We offer dedicated, comprehensive learning support alongside high intellectual and co-curricular ambition—guiding pupils toward top senior school scholarship pathways whilst protecting the joy of childhood.

Convenient Daily Transport: To support busy family schedules, our extensive school minibus network spans Suffolk and Essex—connecting major towns, villages, and military bases such as RAF Honington, Bury St Edmunds, Manningtree, Sudbury, and Hadleigh directly to Old Buckenham Hall.

What to Expect:

• Tours Led by Our Pupils: Explore our 85-acre grounds and historic estate with guided tours hosted by Year 7 & 8 pupils, who offer the most genuine insight into our school.

• See the Investment: Be among the first to view our newly upgraded facilities and boarding houses—a key milestone in our ongoing multi-million-pound campus enhancement programme.

• Meet the Team: Spend time with our leadership team, teaching staff, and Headmaster James Large to discuss academic pathways, co-curricular opportunities, and daily boarding life at OBH.

• Proven Pathways: Discover how our school prepares pupils for a seamless transition to senior school, including our 2026 leavers destinations: Eton College, Rugby School, Sedbergh School, Oundle School, Tudor Hall, Uppingham School, Radley College, King's Ely, Culford School, Framlingham College and many more.

Reserve Your Place 

Please register your interest via the form below.

If you prefer to speak to us directly, please contact our Admissions team:

Email: [email protected] |Telephone: 01449 740252 

Can't make it on 2nd October? 

We understand that family schedules are busy. If you are unable to attend our Open Morning, we would be delighted to arrange a bespoke Private Tour at a time that suits you. 

Please contact our admissions team at [email protected] or call 01449 740252 to arrange your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is Old Buckenham Hall located?

A: Old Buckenham Hall is set within an 85-acre countryside campus at Brettenham Park, Suffolk (IP7 7PH), easily accessible from Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Sudbury, Hadleigh, Manningtree, Colchester, Newmarket and Cambridge.

Q: Does Old Buckenham Hall offer school bus routes?

A: Yes. OBH operates a comprehensive daily minibus service across Suffolk and Essex to make the morning and afternoon commute seamless for families.

Our routes serve key local areas including:

• Military Bases: RAF Honington

• Suffolk Towns & Villages: Bury St Edmunds, Woolpit, Hadleigh, Monks Eleigh, Bildeston, Newton Green, Sudbury, Long Melford, Lavenham, East Bergholt, Nayland, and Raydon

• Essex: Manningtree

Q: What age groups does Old Buckenham Hall cater for?

A: We welcome boys and girls aged 2 to 13 years old across our Nursery, Pre-Prep, and Prep divisions.

Q: Is Old Buckenham Hall (OBH) an academically selective school?

A: No, Old Buckenham Hall is an inclusive, non-selective co-educational day and prep boarding school. We offer dedicated, comprehensive learning support alongside tailored academic stretch and scholarship pathways, ensuring every child achieves their full potential.

Q: Where do pupils go after leaving Old Buckenham Hall?

A: OBH pupils successfully transition to top UK senior schools, with many securing academic, sport, art, drama, and music scholarships. Destination schools include Eton College, Rugby School, Sedbergh, Oundle, Tudor Hall, Uppingham, Radley College, King's Ely, Culford, and Framlingham College.

Q: Does Old Buckenham Hall offer boarding?

A: Yes, OBH provides flexi, weekly, and full boarding options for pupils in an idyllic 85-acre Suffolk countryside setting, complete with newly upgraded interior design boarding houses. Our exceptional boarding provision was Commended in the Boarding School of the Year category at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026.

Q: What sports opportunities and facilities are available at Old Buckenham Hall?

A: Set within an 85-acre countryside estate, OBH provides exceptional sports provision designed to build skill, enjoyment, and competitive excellence across all age groups.

• Core & Specialised Sports: Pupils participate in traditional core team sports (rugby, hockey, cricket, netball, swimming, cross-country, and tennis) alongside unique co-curricular opportunities such as Clay Pigeon Shooting.

• Elite & Representative Success: Our pupils regularly compete and excel at Club, County, National, and International levels across multiple disciplines, including Skiing and Equestrian sports.

• Pathways & Scholarships: We nurture athletic talent at every level, preparing standout sports pupils for prestigious senior school sports scholarship pathways. In 2026, our pupils secured sports scholarships to leading senior schools, including Rugby School, Sedbergh School, Radley College, Oundle School, Gresham’s School, Framlingham College, Uppingham School, and Ipswich School.

Q: What performing arts, music, and drama opportunities does Old Buckenham Hall offer?

A: OBH offers an exceptional performing arts provision from Reception upwards, combining accredited ABRSM, LAMDA, and Mountview qualifications with vibrant production opportunities:

• Specialist Tuition: 13 expert teachers deliver over 200 weekly 1:1 lessons across music, dance, drama, and public speaking.
• Productions & Ensembles: Pupils stage two major annual book musicals, perform in 4 choirs, 6 rock bands, string and brass ensembles, and dance troupes (Ballet, Tap, Cheerleading).
• Performance Opportunities & Facilities: Performance venues include The Britten Hall (200 seats) and The Ives Studio with a sprung-floor dance studio. Events range from informal concerts to our Battle of the Bands and outdoor Summer Proms (with cathedral performances and an international music tour scheduled for 2027).

Q: Does Old Buckenham Hall support military families and offer CEA funding?

A: Yes. We are proud to support Armed Forces and FCDO families. OBH offers full and weekly boarding pathways tailored to military life, ensuring children receive a stable, nurturing education through Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) funding and dedicated pastoral care. As Old Buckenham Hall is part of the Rugby School Group, CEA is able to be continued for a child's education at Rugby School, for pupils who attend Old Buckenham Hall. For serving military personnel not in receipt of CEA, OBH offers a 20% Military Discount on school fees. Please contact [email protected] to find out more.

Q: What is Old Buckenham Hall’s connection to Rugby School?

A: Old Buckenham Hall is a proud member of the Rugby School Group. This partnership enhances our academic and co-curricular provision, offering a direct, supportive pathway and shared educational ethos with one of the UK’s leading co-educational boarding schools. Boarders at Old Buckenham Hall are eligible to receive a 10% discount on Rugby School Fees. Please contact [email protected] to find out more.

Q: Does Old Buckenham Hall offer government-funded hours for Nursery and Early Years?

A: Yes. Old Buckenham Hall provides term-time government funding for eligible children across our Early Years settings:

• Two-Year-Olds: Up to 30 hours of term-time funding for eligible families.

• Three & Four-Year-Olds: Universal 15-hour and extended 30-hour schemes (available from the term after their 3rd birthday up to their 5th birthday, including part or all of their Reception year).

Funding is applied to morning and afternoon Nursery sessions (3 hours per session) and excludes lunchtime sessions. We also accept Government Tax-Free Childcare.