Category: Construction
EXPERIENCED boarding school contractor Stepnell has commenced work on a new purpose-built girls’ boarding house at Oundle School, set to transform a previously derelict site into a sustainable landmark for the school and the wider Oundle community.
Named after former headmaster David McMurray, McMurray House will provide high-quality ‘home from home’ accommodation for pupils aged 13 to 18. With extensive experience in delivering boarding houses, Stepnell has begun the main build following early demolition works that carefully salvaged 100m² of original stone for reuse within the new building.
Tom Sewell, director at Stepnell, said:
“McMurray House is an exciting project that adds to our long-standing experience of delivering high-quality and sustainable living and educational facilities for independent schools.
“Oundle School is incredibly rich in history and character and through engagement with pupils throughout the build we want to ensure McMurray House reflects what a modern boarding house for girls should be, supporting their wellbeing, safety and sense of community.”
Stepnell will be delivering a fabric-first approach, with low embodied carbon materials and careful attention to long-term energy efficiency. The building will be constructed using Clipsham stone with a slate roof, featuring expressed gables facing the Great Hall and a distinctive arched entrance on Milton Road.
Specialist joinery including doorsets, reception desks and IPS washrooms will be delivered by Lawford Bespoke Joinery, part of the Stepnell Group, giving Oundle School a greater certainty of high-quality delivery throughout the build programme.
Dominic Oliver, head of Oundle School, said:
“This is a significant investment in the future of the School. It will bring girls’ boarding into the heart of the town and, more broadly, will give us greater flexibility in how we use our estate.”
The design draws on the character of Oundle School and the surrounding townscape. This gives the building a strong identity and presence while remaining vernacular and homelike in character.
Anna McTaggart, partner at GSSArchitecture, said:
“This project reflects Oundle School’s wider commitment to enhancing its boarding provision while modernising the estate in a sensitive and considered way. By working closely with the school and wider project team, we have ensured that our designs deliver a purpose-built space that prioritises the wellbeing and comfort of pupils, whilst drawing on the character of the school’s listed buildings. This will allow the new boarding house to sit comfortably within the conservation area and the historic town context.”
