Skip to main content
Old Buckenham Hall School
  • Old Buckenham Hall School
    Brettenham Park
    Ipswich
    Suffolk
    IP7 7PH
  • Head: James Large
  • T 01449 740252
  • F 01449 740955
  • E [email protected]
  • W www.obh.co.uk
  • An independent school for boys and girls aged from 2 to 13.
  • Boarding: Yes
  • Local authority: Suffolk
  • Pupils: 220
  • Religion: Church of England
  • Fees: Day £13,998 - £24,471; Boarding £31,125 - £35,649 pa (last updated on 07/08/2024)
  • Open days: October, March, May
  • Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
  • Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report

What says..

A traditional English prep school where children are allowed to be children for as long as possible. ‘It’s exactly what a prep school should be.’ Double the number of scholarships applied for this year and ‘we have stretched the top end of the school’. A two-year scholarship programme now starts in year 7 with potential scholars being identified. Non-selective with small class sizes which parents love. SEN children welcomed and thrive here, 30 per cent access the learning success department at some point. Every child represents the school in a team at some point in their time at the school and everyone is included, even those who don’t want to be. This is a kind school…

Read review »

What the school says...

OBH has introduced more flexible day pupil collection times recognising the needs of modern families. Whilst committed to full boarding, the school supports boarding children who have commitments outside school and encourages parents to meet with the headmaster to discuss options on an individual basis.

Do you know this school?

The schools we choose, and what we say about them, are founded on parents’ views. If you know this school, please share your views with us.

Please login to post a comment.

Sports

Unusual sports

Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.

Fencing

Shooting

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmaster

Since 2023, James Large. Zoology from Southampton followed by PGCE. Suffolk born and has stayed within East Anglia for all of his career. Knew he wanted to teach from age 18, deciding against the military, following in his mother’s footsteps. Started in secondary teaching biology but was inspired by what he witnessed in prep schools – ‘It seemed a more rounded, holistic approach with emphasis on the pastoral as well as academic’ – so he changed. Worked his way up via Norwich School. Always wanted to work in boarding ‘and was always sad when the children went home’. Ambition was to run a country prep school with his wife so jumped at OBH: ‘It’s exactly what a prep school should be.’ His first headship.

Since his arrival he’s made a few...

Subscribe now for instant access to read The Good Schools Guide review.

Already subscribed? Login here.

Special Education Needs

Mostly one-to-one withdrawal principally for pupils with specific learning difficulties. Some small group work also takes place.

Condition Provision for in school
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Might cover/be referred to as;
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), PDA , Social skills, Sensory processing disorder
Y
HI - Hearing Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Hearing Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Learning needs, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, Sensory processing
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic , OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, Tics, Tourettes
PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Might cover/be referred to as;
Anxiety , Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Trauma
Y
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Might cover/be referred to as;
DLD - Developmental Language Disorder, Selective mutism, SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Y
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, Cerebral Palsy (CP)
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing, DCD, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting, Other specific learning difficulty, SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Y
VI - Visual Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Special facilities for Visually Impaired, VI - Visual Impairment

Leavers' destinations

Who came from where


Subscribe for instant access to in-depth reviews:

☑ 30,000 Independent, state and special schools in our parent-friendly interactive directory
☑ Instant access to in-depth UK school reviews
☑ Honest, opinionated and fearless independent reviews of over 1,000 schools
☑ Independent tutor company reviews

Try before you buy - The Charter School Southwark

Buy Now

GSG Blog >

The Good Schools Guide newsletter

Educational insight in your inbox. Sign up for our popular newsletters.