Founded in 1584 by Robert Johnson, the school is integrated into the small and attractive market town of Uppingham in a beautiful part of central England. The town itself is a conservation area and many of the school buildings are listed. The buildings and 60 acres of playing fields are spread right across the town, providing a close 'town and gown' relationship. There is a fine theatre and separate drama studio, 3 music schools (the most recent with state-of-the-art facilities and recording studios) and a purpose-built art, design and technology centre designed by Peirs Gough (an old boy); sports facilities include astroturf pitches, a shooting range and a new sports centre. The 15 boarding houses are ranged around these facilities like a university campus. Some of the buildings are from the period of the great 19th-century headmaster, Edward Thring, who pioneered a variety of musical, sporting and practical activities, then virtually unknown in comparable schools. Many of the school's distinguishing characteristics were determined under Thring's Headmastership: that houses should be small and family-like; that boys (and now girls) should have privacy; that an all-round education should be offered to a broad range of pupils and that children are happier and learn better in inspiring surroundings. It is a Church of England foundation and the whole school meets in the chapel, 5 days a week. A large staff allows a staff:pupil ratio of around 1:7 and there are small classes across all subjects. The standards of teaching are high and examination results are very good. Music is extremely strong and there are is a great range of ensembles. Drama is also well supported with many productions each year. The school has long had a high reputation for its achievements in sports and games. There is a very active CCF and community service department. A wide range of extra-curricular activities are available.
Pupils: Age range 13-18; 770 pupils; 19 day (12 boys, 7 girls), 751 boarding (442 boys, 309 girls). Entrance: Main entry ages 13 and 16 (mainly girls). Interview and tests 2 years prior to entry, then places offered subject to Common Entrance or school's own tests. For sixth-form entry 6 GCSEs at least grade B. State school entry small at 13, greater proportion to sixth form. Intake from 60+ prep schools, across the UK and some abroad.
Approximately 40 pa scholarships, up to 50% of fees: including academic, music, art and DT, Thring (all rounder). Means-tested bursaries of up to 100% of fees, in cases of real financial need, to assist children who might not otherwise be able to attend the school.
Headmaster: Richard Harman, in post from 2006. Educated at King's School (Worcester) and Cambridge University (English). Previously Headmaster of Aldenham, Housemaster and Head of English at Eastbourne College and teacher of English and drama at Marlborough. Teaching staff: 100 full time, 55 part time (including peripetetic music staff). Annual turnover 5-10%. Average age 39.
GCSE: 140 pupils in upper fifth, 97% gaining at least grade C in 8+ subjects. A-levels: 183 in upper sixth, 98% passing in 3+ subjects (33% with straight A grades), with an average final point score of 370.
Almost all sixth form leavers go on to higher education (some 50% after a gap year). The vast majority go to traditional universities, including Oxbridge; a handful go on to a music college or an art foundation course. Most popular subjects include, history, business and management, English, history of art, sciences, property and surveying, medicine and engineering. A few go on to non-degree courses or straight into careers.
GCSE, AS and A-levels. 22 GCSE subjects, 27 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies is not taken. Life skills and lecture programme integrated into sixth form courses. Vocational: Management/leadership conference for all lower sixth; careers/HE conventions are held annually. Special provision: Assistance available for dyslexia, dyspraxia. Languages: French, German, Italian and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. ICT: Taught as a mandatory subject in fourth and fifth forms. All departments have fully-networked ICT suites, data projectors, whiteboards etc. All boarders have a networked PC in their study/bedsit, with filtered internet and email.
Music: More than 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Many musical groups including orchestras, chamber groups, jazz, wind, swing, concert bands, choirs, chapel choir, chamber choir, choral society, pop and rock bands. GCSE music offered, and A-level music and music technology. 50+ music scholars and exhibitionists in school. Regular concerts at eg Peterborough Cathedral; foreign tours. Several recent Oxbridge organ scholars, many choral awards. Drama and dance: Drama offered; professional coach for theatrical events. GCSE and A-level theatre studies may be taken. Many pupils are involved in school productions in the school theatre. Art and design: On average, 80+ take GCSE, 45+ A-level art or design techology. Art and DT centre open to all pupils, 7 days a week (with facilities for fine art, printing, design, ceramics, sculpture, photography, sound engineering and workshops for wood, metal and plastic).
Sport: Major sports for boys are rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, cross country and athletics; for girls are hockey, netball, tennis, cross country and athletics. Options include aerobics, athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, cycling, dance, fencing, fives, football, golf, hockey, lacrosse, netball, rounders, rugby, sailing, shooting, squash, swimming, tennis, volleyball; also archery, body conditioning, clay pigeon shooting, climbing, pilates, scuba diving, table tennis, taekwondo, trampolining and water-skiing. Many pupils represent their county and region, some their country. Successful rugby, hockey, cricket, netball and tennis teams. Activities: Pupils can take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF optional for 2-3 years at age 14-15 or community service (visiting the elderly, assisting in primary schools, Riding for the Disabled etc). More than 40 clubs/societies and 30 activities, including musical, debating, discussion, drama, sporting, chess, classics, languages, science and arts.
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits for upper-sixth boys. Houses and prefects: Residential houses. Prefects, head boy/girl, head of house and house prefects - appointed by Headmaster or housemaster/housemistress. Religion: Christian foundation. Consideration given to the needs of pupils of other faiths. Social: Meals formal in houses. Sixth-form centre, informal dances and disco for lower and upper sixth pupils and summer Leavers' Ball. Buttery and school shop. Bar for upper sixth (tightly-restricted hours/consumption of drinks).
Firm line taken on major offences.
Single-sex houses of 45-60, all mixed ages except 2 sixth-form girls' houses. Dining rooms in houses. Qualified nursing staff in sanatorium. Limited exeats. Visits to local town allowed.
the Old Uppinghamians, is run by P D Mulvihill, c/o the school.
Stephen Dorrell, Edward Timpson (MPs); John Schlesinger (film maker); Rick Stein (chef); Donald and Malcolm Campbell (speed record holders); Jonathan Agnew and J J Whitaker (cricket); Stephen Fry (writer and actor); Piers Gough (architect); John Suchet (journalist and newscaster); Johnny Vaughan (TV presenter); Stuart Proffitt (publisher); Charles Dunstone and David Ross (Carphone Warehouse); Dickson Poon (Chairman Harvey Nichols); Mark Haddon (author); Phil Spencer (property expert, C4 Location and Relocation); Elizabeth Atherton (opera singer); Boris Karloff, Elliot Cowan and Sam Riley (actors); Andrew Kennedy (professional singer), Dan Hipkiss (rugby player); Charlie Simpson, Harry Judd (musicians).
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