E-ACT Ousedale School, most commonly referred to as Ousedale School, is an academy based in Newport Pagnell and Olney, in the City of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. The first campus opened in 1963 originally for Newport Pagnell and its surrounding villages. A second campus in Olney opened in 2007 for students from the north of the (then) Borough of Milton Keynes district.
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E-ACT Merger
In September 2024, Ousedale School officially became E-ACT Ousedale School. Then-headteacher Andy Burton justified the school joining E-ACT – a multi-academy trust – by stating that it is "an exciting opportunity for increased professional development". However, shortly after this was announced, Andy Burton resigned and became education director at the E-ACT multi-academy trust. The current headteacher, Paul McFadden took over the role.
Students and staff alike have since expressed criticism of the trust. For example, in March 2026, a petition that attracted greater than two thousand signatures was created on Change.org by an anonymous member of staff. The petition urges people to sign, to "protect our school and its incredible staff from the ramifications of this financial oversight", referring to the £1.4 million deficit of Ousedale School that occurred after joining the E-ACT trust.
Olney campus
The new £7m building of Ousedale School opened in Easter 2007, six months behind schedule, built by Jackson Construction.
Academic performance
These are the Department for Education (DfE) figures published in April 2026 for the 2025 cohort:
English Baccalaureate Entry Rate: 34.2% (below the national average).
Awards and recognition
At the 2025 Milton Keynes Education Awards, the school was named "Overall School of the Year". It was also awarded "Best Creative School/Company" at the 2025 MK Inspiration Awards.
Former teachers
Sir Bruce Liddington, Deputy Head 1981–6, Schools Commissioner DCSF 2006–2009
Former pupils
Letitia Dean (Actress)
David Oldfield (Footballer)
Leah Williamson (Footballer)
Niko B (Music Artist)
Chris Curtis (Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes North)
Andrew Pakes (Member of Parliament for Peterborough)