Academic Societies

Academic Societies give you the opportunity to explore subjects —whether you study them or not— outside the curriculum or syllabus. You can enrich and enhance your knowledge, debate and develop awareness of broader issues, and delve deep into areas you may not have known about.

Academic Societies usually meet in the evenings or late afternoons and often attract visiting speakers eminent in their field, including politicians, poets, artists and musicians. Many of the societies have become an integral part of School life, with many pupils involved in running and leading them: you have a chance to influence and play a role in their development. Below is a list of some key societies at Oundle. More are detailed in the Electives section a little later on.

As individually advertised, but mainly in the evenings from 7.45pm

Weekly coaching sessions offer debating experience to all age groups and levels of expertise, from First Form to Sixth Form under the auspices of the Debating Society. Each year a cohort of experienced and dedicated senior debaters provide leadership and mentoring for those younger debaters who follow in their footsteps.

There are many opportunities to attend and participate in debates in School. Key external competitions are the ESU Mace -Debating and ESU Churchill- Public Speaking. Contact Mrs Wells for further details.

“I began Debating at the beginning of the Fourth Form, merely curious and having been told the value of the skill to argue. In the early days, everyone else seems extremely good and you wonder how you will be able to match that. However, after some practice, even the shyer debater gains confidence and begins to enjoy the thrill of ripping someone’s argument to pieces - in a civilised manner, of course. Not only that, you’ll be in prime position for participating in the House Debating competitions!”