Uppingham School
, Rutland · LE15 9QE
AAB+ A-level
29.5%
9–7 GCSE
69%
Day fees
£35k
Inspection
Not yet inspected
Uppingham School is one of England's great Victorian boarding schools, founded in 1584 and set in the heart of rural Rutland, where its 300-acre estate occupies much of the small market town of Uppingham itself. Under Edward Thring's transformative Victorian headmastership, Uppingham pioneered the idea of a rounded, humane education — a philosophy that still shapes its emphasis on breadth across academics, arts, sport and music. It is unapologetically a full boarding school at heart, with a strong house culture and a rich co-curricular life that fills evenings and weekends. The school has modernised steadily, going fully co-educational and expanding its arts and music provision, while retaining the self-assurance and depth of tradition that distinguishes it from newer rivals.
- →Full-boarding ethos with strong house community and 24/7 pastoral care that genuinely builds independence and character
- →Exceptional breadth of co-curricular provision — music, drama, art and sport are all taken seriously alongside academics
- →Beautiful, self-contained rural campus where the school owns the town, minimising distractions and maximising immersion
- →Edward Thring's legacy of valuing every pupil's individual talent, meaning less academically driven pupils can still excel and shine
Who thrives here
Pupils who want a full boarding school experience with real depth beyond the classroom — those who will embrace music, theatre, sport or the arts alongside strong academics, and thrive in a warm house community. Uppingham suits the rounded, engaged pupil rather than the single-minded academic grind.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
Uppingham
, Rutland
LE15 9QE
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
Stephen Fry
Actor, writer, comedian and broadcaster
Richard Branson
Entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group
Alan Walters
Economist and adviser to Margaret Thatcher
Lord Kelvin
Physicist and mathematician (not alumni — do not use; retracted)
Tim Brooke-Taylor
Comedian and member of The Goodies
Rowan Atkinson
Comedian and actor known for Mr Bean and Blackadder
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at Uppingham School?
Day fees at Uppingham School are approximately £35,442 per year (2025/26). Boarding fees are higher.
How do you get into Uppingham School?
Uppingham School admits pupils at 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by Interview, Assessment. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Uppingham School's exam results?
At Uppingham School, 29.5% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 69% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Uppingham School a boarding school?
Uppingham School offers boarding as well as day places.
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Exceptional pastoral care — houseparents genuinely know and care for each pupil as an individual
✓Outstanding music, art and drama provision that allows talented pupils to flourish beyond academics
✓The boarding community creates lifelong friendships and genuine confidence and independence in young people
✓Beautiful, safe, self-contained campus where pupils feel secure and fully engaged
✓Staff who go well beyond teaching to mentor and support pupils across every aspect of school life
Common concerns
!The rural Rutland location is genuinely remote, which can feel isolating for some pupils and makes impromptu parental visits less practical
!Fees are substantial and some parents feel bursary provision, while improving, could be more generous
!Academic results, while solid, are not at the very top of national league tables compared to more pressurised rivals such as Marlborough or Sherborne
!The small town of Uppingham offers limited social variety for older pupils who crave more urban stimulation