Skip to content ↓

Old Buckenham Hall & The Rugby School Group Partnership

A Shared Vision for Excellence

In January 2026, Old Buckenham Hall (OBH) officially joined the Rugby School Group, marking a transformative chapter in our school's 160-year history. This partnership brings together two of the UK’s most respected educational institutions, united by a shared commitment to character, values, and an outstanding all-round education.

As the pre-eminent prep school in East Anglia, OBH now benefits from the scale, investment, and global reach of the Rugby School Group, while proudly maintaining the unique identity and nurturing family atmosphere that defines the OBH experience.

What the Partnership Means for Your Child

The collaboration between OBH and Rugby School is a vibrant, daily partnership that directly enriches the lives of our pupils through:

1. Enhanced Academic & Co-curricular Opportunities

Our pupils enjoy access to the world-class facilities and expertise of Rugby School. This includes:

  • Expert Coaching: Specialised sports sessions with former professional players, including former England rugby captain, Dylan Hartley.

  • Academic Enrichment: Collaborative projects and shared teaching best practices across the Group, including sister schools Bilton Grange and Aysgarth School.

  • Creative Arts: Joint initiatives in music, drama, and the performing arts, providing a larger stage for our talented pupils.

2. Investment in the Future

The merger includes a significant seven-figure investment in the OBH site, facilities, and infrastructure. We are committed to modernising our environment to ensure it matches the high aspirations of our pupils.

3. A Global Network

As part of the Rugby School Group, OBH is now linked to a global family of schools, including Rugby School Thailand, Japan, Nigeria, Dubai and Vietnam. This provides our pupils and staff with unique opportunities for intellectual and cultural enrichment through international collaboration.

The Best of Both Worlds

While our partnership with Rugby School is a cornerstone of our future, we remain a bespoke preparatory school. We continue to prepare our pupils for entry into a wide range of the UK's leading senior schools—from the local Framlingham College and Ipswich School to national titans like Eton College, Radley College, and, of course, Rugby School through our special Boarding Pathway. 

"First and foremost, this partnership enables OBH to enhance the education we offer to our pupils. Rugby shares our values and ambitions, and respects our identity and the strong relationship we have with our community." — James Large, Headmaster

Discover the OBH Difference

We invite prospective families to visit our historic Suffolk Preparatory School to see the impact of this partnership first-hand.

Visit OBH

Find out more about our Pupil's Senior School Destinations and Scholarships.