Prince William and Princess Kate have been spotted in Oundle, North Northamptonshire, amid rumours they may send Prince George to a prestigious private boarding school in September. The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen walking along the High Street together on Friday afternoon after they were believed to have visited Oundle School.
Deciding on the Future King's Education
The couple are deciding where to send the future King to secondary school, and co-educational Oundle School has been one of their top choices for the last couple of years. Prince George, 12, currently attends Lambrook School with his siblings in Berkshire, near his home at Adelaide Cottage. This autumn, he will start a new secondary school – and he is spoilt for choice.
Oundle School: A Top Contender
Oundle School, founded in 1556, is considered popular with Kate and William as they could send all three of their children there. The school charges between £22,000 for day pupils and £45,000 a year for full-time boarders. It values tradition but is also eco-conscious and has strong pastoral care. It is renowned for its sports and music. It is now the third-largest boarding school in England, behind Eton and Millfield, with around 820 boarders and 310 day pupils. It started admitting girls in 1990 and now has a 60/40 male-to-female ratio. Pupils, known as Oundelians, can board straight away from age 11 and have the opportunity to study a range of subjects, including Latin, Ancient Greek and Chinese. Alumni include Richard Dawkins, Bruce Dickinson (lead singer of Iron Maiden), and England rugby players Tom and Ben Curry.
Other Potential Schools
Other possible school choices for George include Eton, where Prince William and Prince Harry studied, and Kate's former school, Marlborough College, where Pippa and James Middleton were also educated.
In November, Kate and William were said to have been 'arguing and debating' between the two for years with their preferences split, according to a royal expert. In April, royal broadcaster Helena Chard told Fox News that there has been 'much speculation surrounding Prince George's next school.' She said that 'discussions have been circulating' for a long time, with the Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly 'arguing and debating the decision for years.'
Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, recently told HELLO! magazine that despite the silence about which school George will attend, she has a sneaking suspicion that Eton will come out victorious.
