Uppingham School

Since 2016, Dr Richard Maloney MA PGCE PhD, previously head of St Bede’s Senior School (now Bede’s). He was awarded an assisted place at Latymer Upper in west London and says he had brilliant teachers – ‘genuinely inspirational people’. He read

The process starts three years before the date of entry and the school is usually oversubscribed. ‘People like what we’re doing,’ says the head. ‘We’re outperforming what is becoming a difficult market.’ Year 9s come from around 90 feeder schools,

Very few post-GCSE leavers – the vast majority leave at 18 for university. Several to Oxbridge each year (four in 2024) and a few medics (four in 2024). Ninety per cent choosing the likes of Bath, Durham, UCL, Edinburgh, Exeter and Newcastle. Around

In 2024, 69 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 53 per cent A*/A at A level (85 per cent A*-B).

GCSE and A level results are impressive but the emphasis is more on excellent teaching and a broad education than grade chasing. At A level, pupils have a choice of 26 subjects and can take any combination under the sun. The school offers a BTEC in

New head of learning support was restructuring the school’s processes when we visited, making the department more integrated into the school as a whole. Up to 20 per cent of pupils access learning support for needs such as dyslexia, autism, ADHD and

Artistic endeavour is encouraged throughout the school. ‘They are very good at showcasing all the children’s talents,’ said a parent. Several major drama productions a year, plus house drama and smaller productions. When we visited rehearsals were in

A minimum of three sessions of sport a week for all but many do far more than that. Saturday matches plus walking back and forth between lessons and the boarding houses keep everyone super fit. ‘We do a lot of sport,’ a pupil told us approvingly,

Full boarding for the vast majority (no weekly or flexi boarding, so ‘no one dips in and out’). There are currently 15 boarding houses on the school’s 120-acre site, five for girls, nine for boys and one for new girl sixth formers, each with their

Well-structured pastoral programme includes PSHE and life skills, helping teens to develop positive habits and behaviours. The school has appointed an assistant head (safeguarding), a paediatric nurse with CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

The school is well connected geographically – it’s well-placed for the A1, M1 and A14, and the fastest train from Kettering to London takes 47 minutes. Ninety per cent of boarders live within three hours’ drive. They come from all directions –

Scholarships are awarded at 13+ and 16+ for academics, music, art, textiles, design and technology, sport and drama. There’s also an all-rounder scholarship at 13+. Scholarships are no more than five per cent of the fees but means-tested bursarial

An intellectually stimulating school in idyllic surroundings that inspires huge loyalty and cleverly manages to be both traditional and forward-thinking. Pupils, whether they’re academic, sporty, musical or artistic, are well aware of their good