Ockbrook Site Developments
FAQs
What's happening at Ockbrook School and the Mount?
Our vision is to create a state-of-the-art residential activity centre at Ockbrook School where we will provide transformational camps for children with serious illness and disabilities.
For over 25 years, we have run our residential camps at rented properties throughout the UK. During this time, we have provided over 9,000 children with the opportunity to just be kids again and experience the joy and camaraderie of friendship.
The acquisition of the former Ockbrook School near Derby will provide a permanent home for Over The Wall Camp. It will allow more than three times the number of children to annually experience their own personal amazing adventure.
We have a comprehensive fundraising strategy and a dedicated team in place. We have now raised the £3m required to make Ockbrook ‘Camp Ready’ for welcoming children, volunteers and staff by summer 2026 (Phase 1a).
Phase 1a involves developing The Mount, the former nursery, and early years school building. The renovations will include creating 14 ensuite bedrooms, two of which will be wheelchair accessible, as well as 54 fixed beds and communal spaces.
We are also refurbishing the Mews, Liley House and Broadstairs House (all former boarding quarters) to create volunteer and staff accommodation
Why is the work necessary?
Currently, the Mount is not wheelchair accessible, and it was not previously used for accommodation.
For many children, coming to one of our residential camps is the first time they have ever stayed away from home so it’s important that the accommodation we provide is comfortable, homely, and welcoming.
Many of the children who come to our camps have mobility issues, and some are wheelchair users. We need to make sure that the camp experience is available to everyone.
Alongside creating wheelchair-accessible bedrooms on the ground floor of The Mount, upstairs we are designing bedrooms that will accommodate two to three sets of bunkbeds with plenty of storage for camper belongings! There will be a mix of ensuite and shared bathroom areas.
We are also creating four communal areas within The Mount for camper gatherings, activities and downtime.
For the health and safety of our campers, volunteers and staff need to stay close by. The Mews, Liley House and Broadstairs House are all former boarding houses which are being refurbished to accommodate volunteers and staff.
Will the building still look the same? Will you still retain the history and heritage of the site?
We are very committed to retaining the history and heritage of Ockbrook School. We have held site tours for former Ockbrook School pupils, we are creating a Heritage Room capturing the history of the School and Over The Wall Camp, and we have a dedicated Heritage subgroup and Heritage Officer.
The exterior of The Mount will remain the same and changes will be made internally as outlined above.
Share your memories of Ockbrook School
We’d love to hear from you if you have any fond memories and stories of your time at The Mount, as a pupil, teacher, or other member of staff. Please do get in touch here
The grounds are beautiful – how will they be affected?
The grounds and gardens will provide a beautiful environment for camper activities in the future and play a vital role in supporting mental and physical wellbeing.
Long-term, we have plans to develop specific areas of the site into exciting activity and adventure areas.
At the Mount, we are planning to create an outdoor amphitheatre at the far end of the grounds, in a space which is currently unused.
Can I view the designs – internal and external?
You can see the outline concept designs below including an example of how a bedroom could be laid out.
When will the newly developed site open?
We’re hoping to be “Camp Ready” and welcome campers on site in summer 2026
During the construction period
How long will the work last and why are you starting now?
We’re hoping to be camp-ready in order to welcome campers on site in summer 2026.
As you can see in the designs above, there is a lot of exciting work to do in the Mount, and it will take some time.
How might this work affect traffic through the village and surrounding area?
We envisage some works traffic coming to and from the site. We are working closely with the building team to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.
We are contacting local residents, schools, businesses and other community organisations to tell them about the work taking place.
Will there be any noise?
Most work will be taking place inside the building. We will try to keep noise to a minimum.
What are the timings of the work? Will there be work at night?
Work will take place during the day throughout the week. There are no plans for work to take place at night.
Can I still use the bridle path?
The bridle path (which runs to the right of the entrance to the Mount) remains open to the public. We just ask you to please be vigilant of any vehicles in this area coming to and from the site.
Where will the building and delivery vehicles drive/park?
Any vehicles involved in the redevelopment of The Mount will be located on the grounds at the Mount. The Mount has it’s own entrance and driveway so we do not anticipate vehicles parking elsewhere on site or on the main roads.
Can I still park on the road?
The road immediately outside Ockbrook School, The Settlement, will continue to remain available for parking.
Visiting us at Ockbrook
What are the arrangements for visiting the site?
When visiting us, please park in the main car park and go to the main Reception in the first instance. A member of Over The Wall Camp staff will greet you there.
Please note: The Mount will be an active construction site and will be fenced off to the general public during the building work.
Any visitors to the Mount must be accompanied by a member of Over The Wall Camp staff and must wear full PPE which will be provided on your visit, if applicable.
How can I be kept updated on developments?
We would love to tell you more about what’s happening at the former Ockbrook School and will be holding some more community engagement meetings in the future.
To be amongst the first to hear of our updates and other information, please join our Childhood Champions supporter group.
