Oadby and Wigston
Encyclopedia
Oadby and Wigston is a local government district
and borough
in the English
county of Leicestershire
.
, Wigston Magna
and South Wigston
. It is predominantly urban, and runs directly into Leicester
, to the north-west. There are no civil parishes in the district.
The most northerly corner is near the junction of the A6030 and B582, and near the Bupa
hospital it meets Harborough. It runs along the B582 then along the former Roman road
(which runs to Corby), passing the playing fields of the University of Leicester
. It passes along the north edge of Oadby Lodge, a farm owned by the Co-op
. Towards the deserted village of Stretton Magna (outside the district), the boundary passes southwestwards. This area was proposed to be the site of the eco-town Pennbury. It crosses the A6 at Glen Gorse Golf Club. It crosses Newton
Lane and the Midland Main Line
. It crosses the Grand Union Canal
, and towards Kilby
it meets the district of Blaby at the River Sence
. It follows the River Sence, crossing the A5199
(Welford Road). At Rose Farm it follows Countesthorpe
Road towards South Wigston, to the Grand Union Canal, crossing the former Midland Counties Railway
, which it follows westwards. It passes northwards across St Thomas Road (B582) and the Birmingham to Peterborough Line
. It passes northwards on the east side of the Glen Parva
prison (in Blaby district). It meets Leicester UA south of Eyres Monsell
, a large council estate.
Following the Leicester boundary, it crosses Saffron Road (B5366), then follows Dorset Avenue, follows the Midland Main Line northwards, crossing Aylestone Lane (B5418), then crosses the Midland Main Line. It crosses the Welford Road (A5199) at the point where the road becomes a dual-carriageway south of the Best Western
Leicester Stage Hotel (in Leicester UA). It passes on the south edge of Knighton Park, and the western edge of Oadby Golf Club, west of Leicester Racecourse
(in the district). Near the racecourse entrance it crosses the A563 southern ring road, then London Road (A6), passing northwards along the western edge of the University of Leicester
's Oadby Student Village, west of the University of Leicester Botanic Garden
(in the district).
constituency, and was formed in 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972
, by the merger of the Oadby and Wigston urban district
s.
. However it does neighbour Harborough
, which has the highest house prices in Leicestershire. House prices in Leicestershire are higher in rural areas as demand for these areas is higher; demand often exceeds supply
.
is fairly low in the district, and in the lowest half for social deprivation in Leicestershire. The district shows definite features common to areas in the economic south of England. 60% of the district lies in the 20% least-deprived English areas. There are pockets of relative deprivation in Super Output Areas (by highest deprivation) South Wigston Blaby Road & Saffron Road (E01025987), Chartwell Drive Industrial Estate (E01025994), South Wigston Countesthorpe Road (E01025989), Guthlaxton College & Wigston Police (E01025992), Oadby Industrial Estate (E01025976), and Wigston Rolleston Road (E01025997). Social deprivation in the district is highest in the Wigston area, specifically along the B582, in the Wigston Fields, South Wigston and Wigston All Saints wards.
The least deprived Super Output Area is Oadby Woodland Grange Primary School (E01025982), followed by Oadby Glen Road (E01025984). The least deprived areas are in the far east of the district (Oadby), east of the A6 in the Oadby Woodlands ward.
, a former grammar school
in the south of Oadby. Guthlaxton College, also a former grammar school
, is the other school that offers A levels, but gets results below the England average, and is on the B582 in Wigston next to the Midland Main Line
. Both schools are upper schools, as the three tier system
operates in the district's schools. Also near the council offices on the B582 is South Leicestershire College
, an FE college. Next to the Beauchamp College is the Gartree High School
, a middle school.
Non-metropolitan district
Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially shire districts, are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties in a so-called "two-tier" arrangement...
and borough
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county of Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
.
Geography
It is composed of the areas of OadbyOadby
Oadby is a town within the borough of Oadby and Wigston, in Leicestershire, England. It is to the east of Wigston Magna, and to the southeast of Leicester. Oadby forms part of the Leicester Urban Area, and is situated on the A6 road....
, Wigston Magna
Wigston Magna
Wigston Magna also historically referred to as Wigston Two Steeples or Great Wigston , is a town within Leicestershire, England just to the south of Leicester, on the A5199 road which leads to Northampton....
and South Wigston
South Wigston
South Wigston is a suburb of Leicester, England. It is outside the city boundary, forming part of the Oadby and Wigston district of Leicestershire.-Geography and administration:...
. It is predominantly urban, and runs directly into Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, to the north-west. There are no civil parishes in the district.
The most northerly corner is near the junction of the A6030 and B582, and near the Bupa
Bupa
Bupa is a large British healthcare organisation, with bases on three continents and more than ten million customers in over 200 countries. It is a private healthcare company, in direct contrast to the UK's National Health Services, which are tax-funded healthcare systems and do not require private...
hospital it meets Harborough. It runs along the B582 then along the former Roman road
Roman road
The Roman roads were a vital part of the development of the Roman state, from about 500 BC through the expansion during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. Roman roads enabled the Romans to move armies and trade goods and to communicate. The Roman road system spanned more than 400,000 km...
(which runs to Corby), passing the playing fields of the University of Leicester
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
. It passes along the north edge of Oadby Lodge, a farm owned by the Co-op
The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group Ltd. is a United Kingdom consumer cooperative with a diverse range of business interests. It is co-operatively run and owned by its members. It is the largest organisation of this type in the world, with over 5.5 million members, who all have a say in how the business is...
. Towards the deserted village of Stretton Magna (outside the district), the boundary passes southwestwards. This area was proposed to be the site of the eco-town Pennbury. It crosses the A6 at Glen Gorse Golf Club. It crosses Newton
Newton Harcourt
Newton Harcourt is a village in the English county of Leicestershire, south of the city of Leicester.Newton Harcourt is divided from its church by the Grand Union Canal's Leicester Arm and the Midland Main Line railway both of which pass to the south of the main settlement.Administratively, Newton...
Lane and the Midland Main Line
Midland Main Line
The Midland Main Line is a major railway route in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system.The present-day line links London St...
. It crosses the Grand Union Canal
Grand Union Canal
The Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. Its main line connects London and Birmingham, stretching for 137 miles with 166 locks...
, and towards Kilby
Kilby
Kilby is a village and civil parish in the Blaby district of Leicestershire, England. It is the easternmost village in the district, and is south of Leicester. It has a population of about 300. Kilby has only one pub called the Dog & Gun, An Anglican Primary School and a Parish Church. There is...
it meets the district of Blaby at the River Sence
River Sence (Wigston)
The River Sence is a Leicestershire tributary of the larger River Soar. The River Sence can be traced eastwards up to the village of Billesdon, and then flows south west through Great Glen, Leicestershire, and then west until the confluence with the River Soar just to the west of Blaby...
. It follows the River Sence, crossing the A5199
A5199 road
The A5199 road is the direct road from Leicester to Northampton in England. It was formerly part of the A50 trunk road that ran from Bedfordshire to Lancashire...
(Welford Road). At Rose Farm it follows Countesthorpe
Countesthorpe
Countesthorpe is a large village and civil parish in the Leicestershire district of Blaby, with a population of 6,393 . It lies to the south of Leicester, and is about six miles from the city centre, but only two miles south of the suburb of South Wigston...
Road towards South Wigston, to the Grand Union Canal, crossing the former Midland Counties Railway
Midland Counties Railway
The Midland Counties Railway was a railway company in the United Kingdom which existed between 1832 and 1844, connecting Nottingham, Leicester and Derby with Rugby and thence, via the London and Birmingham Railway, to London. The MCR system connected with the North Midland Railway and the...
, which it follows westwards. It passes northwards across St Thomas Road (B582) and the Birmingham to Peterborough Line
Birmingham to Peterborough Line
The Birmingham to Peterborough Line is a cross-country railway line in the United Kingdom, linking Birmingham to Peterborough, via Nuneaton and Leicester....
. It passes northwards on the east side of the Glen Parva
Glen Parva (HM Prison)
HM Prison Glen Parva is a male juvenile's prison and Young Offenders Institution, located in Leicester, Leicestershire, England. Glen Parva is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.-History:...
prison (in Blaby district). It meets Leicester UA south of Eyres Monsell
Eyres Monsell
Eyres Monsell is an electoral ward and administrative division of the city of Leicester, England, comprising the southern Leicester suburb of Eyres Monsell.-Geography:Eyres Monsell is bounded to the north by the wards of Aylestone, Freemen and Knighton...
, a large council estate.
Following the Leicester boundary, it crosses Saffron Road (B5366), then follows Dorset Avenue, follows the Midland Main Line northwards, crossing Aylestone Lane (B5418), then crosses the Midland Main Line. It crosses the Welford Road (A5199) at the point where the road becomes a dual-carriageway south of the Best Western
Best Western GB
Best Western GB claims to be the largest independently owned and managed hotel chain in Great Britain and the Channel Islands with over 280 two, three and four star properties. Best Western GB provides sales, revenue and marketing services to all of its member hotels...
Leicester Stage Hotel (in Leicester UA). It passes on the south edge of Knighton Park, and the western edge of Oadby Golf Club, west of Leicester Racecourse
Leicester Racecourse
Leicester Racecourse is a horse-racing course in Oadby, Leicestershire, England.The course is oval shaped and nearly 2 miles in extent. It was opened ante 1773....
(in the district). Near the racecourse entrance it crosses the A563 southern ring road, then London Road (A6), passing northwards along the western edge of the University of Leicester
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
's Oadby Student Village, west of the University of Leicester Botanic Garden
University of Leicester Botanic Garden
The University of Leicester Harold Martin Botanic Garden is a botanic garden close to the halls of residence for the University of Leicester in Oadby, Leicestershire, England. Founded in 1921, the garden was established on the present site in 1947...
(in the district).
History
It is part of the HarboroughHarborough
Harborough is a local government district of Leicestershire, England, named after its main town, Market Harborough. Covering , the District is by far the largest of the eight district authorities in Leicestershire and covers almost a quarter of the County....
constituency, and was formed in 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972
Local Government Act 1972
The Local Government Act 1972 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales on 1 April 1974....
, by the merger of the Oadby and Wigston urban district
Urban district
In the England, Wales and Ireland, an urban district was a type of local government district that covered an urbanised area. Urban districts had an elected Urban District Council , which shared local government responsibilities with a county council....
s.
Demographics
Although perceived as an affluent area, and is much more affluent than neighbouring Leicester, it has the second lowest house prices in Leicestershire, only above Hinckley and BosworthHinckley and Bosworth
Hinckley and Bosworth is a local government district with borough status in south-western Leicestershire, England, administered by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. Its only towns are Hinckley, Earl Shilton and Market Bosworth...
. However it does neighbour Harborough
Harborough
Harborough is a local government district of Leicestershire, England, named after its main town, Market Harborough. Covering , the District is by far the largest of the eight district authorities in Leicestershire and covers almost a quarter of the County....
, which has the highest house prices in Leicestershire. House prices in Leicestershire are higher in rural areas as demand for these areas is higher; demand often exceeds supply
Supply and demand
Supply and demand is an economic model of price determination in a market. It concludes that in a competitive market, the unit price for a particular good will vary until it settles at a point where the quantity demanded by consumers will equal the quantity supplied by producers , resulting in an...
.
Social deprivation
Overall, social deprivationIndices of deprivation 2007
The Indices of deprivation 2007 is a Deprivation index at the small area level, created by the British Department for Communities and Local Government and released on June 12, 2007...
is fairly low in the district, and in the lowest half for social deprivation in Leicestershire. The district shows definite features common to areas in the economic south of England. 60% of the district lies in the 20% least-deprived English areas. There are pockets of relative deprivation in Super Output Areas (by highest deprivation) South Wigston Blaby Road & Saffron Road (E01025987), Chartwell Drive Industrial Estate (E01025994), South Wigston Countesthorpe Road (E01025989), Guthlaxton College & Wigston Police (E01025992), Oadby Industrial Estate (E01025976), and Wigston Rolleston Road (E01025997). Social deprivation in the district is highest in the Wigston area, specifically along the B582, in the Wigston Fields, South Wigston and Wigston All Saints wards.
The least deprived Super Output Area is Oadby Woodland Grange Primary School (E01025982), followed by Oadby Glen Road (E01025984). The least deprived areas are in the far east of the district (Oadby), east of the A6 in the Oadby Woodlands ward.
Education
The best school in the district is the Beauchamp CollegeBeauchamp College
The Beauchamp College is a comprehensive upper school and further education community college, in Oadby, a town on the outskirts of Leicester, England.-Admissions:...
, a former grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
in the south of Oadby. Guthlaxton College, also a former grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
, is the other school that offers A levels, but gets results below the England average, and is on the B582 in Wigston next to the Midland Main Line
Midland Main Line
The Midland Main Line is a major railway route in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system.The present-day line links London St...
. Both schools are upper schools, as the three tier system
Three-tier education
Three-tier education refers to those structures of schooling, which exist in some parts of England, where pupils are taught in three distinct school types. A similar experiment was also trialled in Scotland....
operates in the district's schools. Also near the council offices on the B582 is South Leicestershire College
South Leicestershire College
South Leicestershire College, formerly Wigston College, is a general college of further education, which opened in 1970. Situated on the southern outskirts of Leicester, it draws learners from across Leicestershire, but particularly from South of the county. The college operates within a budget of...
, an FE college. Next to the Beauchamp College is the Gartree High School
Gartree High School
Gartree High School is a popular co-educational middle school for children from the ages of ten to fourteen. The school is situated in Oadby, a town on the south side of Leicester.Former students include John Deacon of Queen.-New school rebuild:...
, a middle school.