Rugby School

Focus

Intellectual curiosity and resilience

Day fees 2024/25

$43,600 (incl. VAT)

Boarding fees 2024/25

$68,800 (incl. VAT)

Pupils

865

Ages

13–18

Spear’s Review

In 1823 William Webb showed a ‘fine disregard’ for the rules of football when he picked up the ball and ran with it, inventing rugby. Rugby School applies a similar approach to learning, encouraging a non-conformist attitude. 

The school’s ‘whole person’ philosophy holds that when pupils engage and excel in one area of their life or study, that excellence can be transferred to other areas. It is certainly reflected in the academic results of its thriving, resilient students, who study a range of GCSE subjects and can then choose between A-Levels or the IB in Sixth Form.

‘Rugbeians are very busy,’ head Gareth Parker-Jones says; in addition to co-curriculars such as sport and the arts, students can engage with an extensive enrichment programme to explore their intellectual or creative passions.

Academics

75 per cent of GCSE results are grades 7–9. 

58 per cent of results at A-Level are A* or A. 

Average IB score is 34.9. 

University and college destinations

In 2024, 14 Rugby School students were offered places at Oxford and Cambridge.

Head teacher

Gareth Parker-Jones has been at Rugby since 2015. He initially served as deputy head (academic), becoming head master in 2020. He was educated at Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital School, Bristol and Pembroke College, Oxford, where he read history. He also holds a master’s degree in colonial and post-colonial studies from the University of London. He has taught at Harrow, University College School and Sevenoaks, where he was head of history. 

Admissions

According to the school, for 13+ and 16+ boarding and day entry, parents are invited to visit the school. Visits typically include a school tour, a house tour and lunch with current students and staff. Registered applicants are asked to complete a pre-interview questionnaire (handwritten by the student), and during the assessment they are interviewed by a housemaster or housemistress, and a moderator. The school values academically robust students who also enjoy a wide range of interests to make the most of the school’s co-curricular programme.

Accessibility

Birmingham Airport: 35 minutes

Location

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