Uppingham School: Exploring Reviews, Rankings, Fees, And More
With a rich history dating back to 1584, Uppingham School has continually evolved to meet the ever-changing demands of education. Aspiring scholars from around the globe are drawn to its distinguished reputation, seeking not just knowledge, but a transformative experience. In this comprehensive guide, we look into the fabric of Uppingham School, offering a detailed examination of what it offers students, fees, and more.
Table of Contents
Key Features of Uppingham School
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Rutland
- Rank: 119
- Pupils: 839; sixth formers: 377
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day £11,358 per term; Boarding £19,392 per term (inclusive of VAT)
Uppingham School Results
Latest Results
- 2025 A Level Results: 52% A*-A
- 2025 GCSE Results: Close to 50% 9-8
Past Results
- 2024 A-level Results: 52% A*/A
- 2024 GCSE Results: 69% 9-7
Teaching and Learning in Uppingham School
Uppingham School offers a challenging and flexible curriculum designed to develop intellectually curious and independent-minded students.
Fourth Form (Year 9):
In their first year, students explore a broad range of subjects, laying a solid foundation for future studies.
Lower and Upper Fifth (Years 10–11):
Students undertake GCSE courses with core subjects including English, Mathematics, Sciences, and a Modern Foreign Language. They also select additional subjects based on their interests and career aspirations.
Sixth Form (Years 12–13):
Offering a wide selection of 26 A-level subjects and a BTEC in Sport, the Sixth Form allows students to specialise or maintain a broad academic profile. The curriculum is enriched with research-based programmes and various enrichment opportunities, preparing students for higher education and beyond.
Teaching Approach:
Uppingham encourages students to question, think deeply, and engage with new ideas across disciplines. Classrooms are dynamic spaces where students feel confident to express their thoughts and participate in discussions.
Academic Support:
Recognising individual learning needs, the school offers compassionate support through its Learning Support department, ensuring every student can achieve their best.
Boarding Experience in Uppingham School
Boarding plays a central role in life at Uppingham School, helping to create a strong sense of community and belonging among students. While full boarding is the dominant model, the school also offers day boarding, allowing pupils to benefit from house life and extended school activities without boarding overnight. Set across an impressive 120-acre campus, Uppingham is home to 16 distinctive houses, each with its own character, traditions, and friendly inter-house rivalry that adds energy to daily school life.
Each house typically accommodates 50 to 60 pupils and is led by a dedicated team of housemasters or housemistresses, supported by deputies, tutors, matrons, and domestic staff. The atmosphere is often described as warm and supportive, with strong links between home and school. Matrons play a key role in student welfare, providing day-to-day care, maintaining close communication with parents, and adding thoughtful personal touches, from birthday cards to small treats that help pupils feel settled.
House life is lively and social, with a full programme of activities and inter-house competitions that encourage teamwork and lasting friendships. Dining within houses is an important part of this experience, with students usually sitting with their own year groups while enjoying regular opportunities to mix more widely. These shared routines and traditions help reinforce the close-knit community that defines life at Uppingham.
Extracurricular Activities in Uppingham
At Uppingham School, students are encouraged to explore their artistic talents through a variety of engaging activities. The school boasts a vibrant theatre culture, with several major drama productions held annually, alongside house drama competitions and smaller-scale performances. From gripping plays like Martin McDonagh’s “The Pillowman” to musical extravaganzas like “Oh! What a Lovely War,” the school’s 280-seat theatre provides a spectacular stage for artistic expression.
Music is a defining feature of life at Uppingham, celebrated not just as an academic subject but as a source of creativity and enjoyment. The school has three dedicated music schools, recording studios, and a large team of over 45 full-time and visiting music staff, many of whom are professional musicians. Around 40% of students take instrumental lessons, with options ranging from traditional instruments such as the harp and bagpipes to modern digital composition using platforms like GarageBand. For musically minded students, Uppingham is often regarded as a standout choice.
The Leonardo Centre acts as a focal point for visual and creative arts, offering modern facilities for art, textiles, and design. Students explore a broad spectrum of disciplines, from fine art, ceramics, and textiles to photography and video production. Uptake is strong, with around 60 students studying Design Technology and 40 taking art at GCSE, reflecting a culture that values creativity, experimentation, and original thinking.
Sport also plays a central role in the school timetable. All pupils take part in a minimum of three sports sessions each week, supported by extensive facilities including a state-of-the-art sports centre and large areas of playing fields. Alongside established sports such as football, rugby, and cricket, students can also try activities like lacrosse and squash, ensuring opportunities for a wide range of interests and abilities.
Although academic lessons can extend until 6pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, the timetable is carefully structured to preserve balance. Students have dedicated time for sport on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Fridays offering space for other extracurricular activities, allowing pupils to manage both academic commitments and wider interests effectively.
Admissions Process: Entering Uppingham School
At Uppingham School, the admissions process typically begins up to three years before entry, reflecting the school’s strong reputation and consistent oversubscription. Demand for places remains high, underlining the broad appeal of Uppingham’s academic and pastoral approach.
The Year 9 intake usually consists of around 150 pupils, drawn from approximately 90 feeder schools. Regular contributors include Maidwell Hall, Brambletye, and Witham Hall, which consistently send a significant number of students each year. Competition is robust, with the school receiving between two and four applications per available place, making early preparation essential.
Entry into the sixth form is even more competitive. On average, there are five girls and eight boys competing for each place, and applicants are expected to meet clear academic thresholds. Typically, this includes a minimum of three GCSE grades at 7 and three at 6, with higher performance required for subjects such as mathematics, sciences, and languagesat A level.
All candidates complete a thorough assessment process, including tests in English, mathematics, and a chosen subject, alongside a structured interview. While external competition is strong, pupils already at Uppingham generally progress smoothly into the sixth form, reflecting the school’s emphasis on long-term academic development and continuity.
SEN Support
The school is also proud to support various special needs that students may face. This includes:
- Aspergers
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
Testimonials and Reviews
Very good school although the PE teacher has retractable claws and shows us in the locker room other than that amazing.
Spoken to Mr Charlie Bostock who gave extremely sound advice on how to approach Independent Schools. Although my son is not in this school, it is chatting to people like him that independent school are not just in it for the money.
Strong all around school. 2 children successfully and happily completed five years with excellent results.
One word…… INCREDIBLE!
Made tons of friends and some of the best food and accommodation I have ever had!
Frequently Asked Questions about Uppingham School
Uppingham School is known for its all-round excellent facilities and opportunities – within academia, performing and creative arts, or sport.
The Tatler Schools Guide, renowned for its rigorous evaluation criteria, is considered a prestigious authority in the field of education. This recognition reaffirms Uppingham School’s commitment to academic excellence and holistic development.
Prospective pupils at prep-schools that offer common entrance are required to sit these exams in Year 8. The School expects a 55% average pass mark. Pupils from schools that do not offer common entrance, fulfil their offer by sitting Uppingham’s non-common entrance papers.
The school is a Christian foundation in the Anglican tradition, but they welcome pupils from all faith backgrounds, and greatly value the perspectives they bring.
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