Old Buckenham Hall School

The School, founded in Lowestoft as South Lodge in 1862, moved in 1937 to Old Buckenham, Norfolk and in 1956 to Brettenham Park, Suffolk, 4 miles from Lavenham and 18 from Ipswich. It became an Educational Trust in 1967. The pupils go on to a wide range of Senior Independent Schools via Common Entrance and Scholarship Examinations. The Staff/Pupil ratio is approximately 1:8, giving an average class-size of 14. All members of Staff, including part-time Staff, contribute to the provision of a wide range of extra-curricular activities in which every child has a chance to participate. The major sports are Rugby, Hockey, Soccer, Netball, Cricket and Rounders, but all pupils also take part in Athletics and Swimming (heated open air pool). From January 2014 the new Astro turf has augmented the already wonderful sport facilities. In addition there are opportunities for Tennis (6 courts including 3 astro courts), Golf (9-hole course), Squash (2 courts) and a wide range of activities including: Table Tennis, Pets, Arts & Craft, Cookery, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Orienteering, Bushcraft, Fencing, Archery. Art, Music and Drama particularly flourish. Boarding continues to be popular with refurbished dormitories including separate boys’ and girls’ common rooms and a separate common room for Year 8. An enhanced evening and weekend activity programme has been devised together with a new Old Buckenham Explorers programme exposing the children to a wide range of Life Skills. Outdoor classrooms have recently been introduced which are particularly popular at weekends together with a specially designed play area. The Science Department has been completely refurbished and was re-opened in 2010.