‘If variety is the spice of life, then Rugby is on to a winner' (Tatler Schools Guide 2024)
Ethos. Rugby, probably more than any other school in the land, focuses on helping our students become ‘whole’ people – people who are multifaceted in their interests, talents and ambitions. Here, we do not just say ‘the whole person is the whole point’, we live it, every hour of every day.
Here, students flourish in a supportive and spiritually aware community, which challenges learners, develops resilience and encourages intellectual risk-taking. We foster academic excellence and nurture individual talents enabling our students to develop a lifelong love of learning, while achieving outstanding results.
Head Master, Gareth Parker-Jones, said he believes Rugby to have succeeded when a spark is created in the mind of the student, be it in the classroom, on the sports field, in the music rooms, on stage, in the art studios, or around any sort of activity.
‘What I see here, time and time again, is that once a student becomes good at one thing and enjoys doing it, they soon become good at something else. And then something else again. In this way, Rugby helps our students form the habit of doing things well – of being good at life,’ he added.
This, of course, owes a huge amount to Rugby being a true seven-day-a-week boarding school, along with two day houses open from 7.00 am to 22.00 pm, there is the space and time to accommodate hundreds of activities – some academic, many not. Rugbeians are very busy, and that teaches vital life skills of prioritisation and organisation.
Academically, Rugby's consistently excellent results place it as among the best performing co-educational boarding schools in the UK, but while excellence is celebrated, nobody is ever on the bench. If 32 netball teams are needed to ensure every student gets to play a fixture, that is what happens.
And this is why we are the leading co-educational boarding school in the country.
Number of Students. 868 (45% girls, 55% boys).
Location. Enjoying a central location just 48 minutes by train from London and close to the M6, M1 and Birmingham Airport, Rugby School offers the best of all worlds – a leafy green 150-acre campus on the edge of the countryside but still part of the town.
Facilities. A rich, cultural heritage runs through the core of the School with many buildings of architectural distinction, from the impressive Chapel to the splendid Temple Speech Room. Step away from the town and enter another world of ancient cloisters and elegant quads punctuated by swathes of green.
The facilities are, however, state of the art, including a purpose-built Modern Languages building, an impressive Science Centre, a Design Centre featuring The Lewis Gallery with its dedicated art and exhibition space, and a huge new sixth form centre for studying the IB Diploma Programme and A Level subjects.
The Music Schools feature 40 teaching/practice rooms, technology classrooms, recording studio and a small concert hall. More than 120 music performances happen every year and students regularly get to perform with the School’s professional orchestra.
Sports facilities are equally impressive, including a modern Sports Centre, with its 25 m pool, fitness suite and courts, three new AstroTurf hockey pitches, soccer and rugby fields, and hard courts for tennis and netball. A state-of-the-art gym will open shortly. Our polo fields mark the boundary of this wide-reaching campus. Sport at Rugby includes athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, cross-country, fencing, fives, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, netball, polo, rackets, rugby, sailing, squash, swimming and tennis. Every student has access to professional sports coaching and conditioning, and there is a dedicated athletes programme.
Boarding Houses. The House structure at Rugby is central to our strong sense of community. Ideas flourish best where they were originated and it was our pioneering Head Master, Dr Thomas Arnold, who initiated the boarding house system to ensure exceptional pastoral care and provide the ideal social environment in which young people could thrive.
Much copied but never bettered, more than 200 years of ‘House’ experience has resulted in a genuine and uncompromised care plan which supports every single student.
The 13 Boarding Houses at Rugby, each with their own unique character, in different locations and of varying sizes, all offer a true home away from home, a real family to which every student belongs and is rightly proud of. An ambitious programme of improvements is currently under way.
The ethos at Rugby that the whole person is the whole point is undeniably apparent within this perfected and seamless House structure. The role of Housemaster or mistress as head of the ‘family’ is to create and maintain a happy and balanced home with the able support of their deputy and the Matron who, importantly, are all resident. Totally committed to the wellbeing of their young people, this nucleus of staff provides 24-hour care that is second to none.
Day Houses. Rugby’s two Day Houses, one for girls and one for boys, were recently expanded to provide even better facilities and space to meet increased demand for places. They now accommodate 200 day students who all benefit from the depth and breadth of a boarding experience.
Academic. GCSE: All the usual subjects are offered, as well as Computing, German, Spanish, Latin, Greek, Design, Art, Music, PE, Theatre Studies and Religious Studies.
IB and A level: Rugby offers the IB Diploma. Alongside the core, CAS, Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and the traditional subjects, the list extends to far more, including Theatre, Literature and Performance, Mandarin and Italian ab initio, Psychology, Global Politics and Environmental Systems and Societies. A level is offered in all the GCSE subjects, as well as in Business Studies, Economics, Graphics, Textiles and Politics. Students also have the opportunity to pursue an Extended Project.
All go on to Higher Education with an impressive number of students achieving Oxbridge and Russell Group places, while an increasing number achieve offers in Canada, the US and Europe.
A diverse programme of academic enrichment is an integral part of a Rugby education, with all students attending a wide range of clubs and activities. Academic societies, many of which are student-driven, invite a wide range of eminent figures to the School – speakers have included Rowan Williams, Anthony Horowitz and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.
In addition, all Year 9 students embark on the Rugby Learner Profile. Unique to Rugby School, this cross-curricular method of teaching and learning transcends the traditional classroom formula, helping to develop key dispositions that encourage maturity and promote engagement.
Spiritual Life. A well-balanced individual needs a sense of spiritual awareness, along with academic achievement and physical ability. The experience of holiness, an understanding of right and wrong, and respect for the worth of each human being; these things are the invisible glue holding our community together. These values are learned in every part of our lives, but the School Chapel and the activities connected with it are a particular focus for our spiritual development.
The Chaplains get to know the students by sharing meals, visiting the Houses and involving themselves with all the School’s activities. They also share the teaching of the younger students, giving them regular contact with the entire Lower School.
Co-curricular. With more than 200 activities on offer, the co-curricular programme plays a huge part in the meaning of ‘Whole’ in our Whole Person Whole Point ethos. Our community is thriving, exciting, inclusive and full of opportunities for students to find inspiration, fun, challenge, curiosity, confidence and fulfilment. We believe growing as a person, developing into the type of adult students want to be, involves making choices, especially in how you spend your time.
Our sporting philosophy of ‘nobody on the bench’ sees our students represent the School in a significant range of sports as we stick to our core principle which nicely moulds excellence with opportunity. Our CCF is thriving with over 200 cadets and our Performing Arts Faculty sends productions to the Edinburgh Fringe and Bloomsbury Festival. The Music Schools are a hive of activity and the recently launched chorister programme seeks to secure choral singing within schools. You'll hear our choirs perform evensong on BBC Radio 3, as well as in the local churches. Our Rugby 360 service programme sees 550 students out engaging with meaningful service in the local community each week. Our DofE completion rates are amongst the highest in Central England. We have over 70 clubs and societies on offer. The Lewis Gallery is open throughout the year showcasing student work and we have strong community links in all of our co-curricular areas. There truly is something on offer for everyone within our co-curriculum at Rugby School.
Admission. At 13+, offers of day places are made in Year 6 and boarding places in Year 7, on the basis of previous school’s report and interviews, subject to gaining at least an average of 55% in CE, or the School’s own Maths and English tests, or via scholarship application entry.
At 16+, places for boarders and day students are offered on the basis of previous school’s report, interview and written entrance tests during Year 11 (including English and Mathematics) in the subjects chosen for IB and A level. Offers are subject to at least three grade 6 and three grade 7 GCSEs, or equivalent.
Scholarships. Our scholarship provision is designed to attract boys and girls of outstanding talent and skill in a variety of fields. We value scholarship of all sorts. Through the excellence of our academic provision and our facilities we aim to foster high achievement at all levels and to challenge expectations. The interplay of teaching and learning, and the experiences to be gained from being part of a rich and diverse community, encourage all students to develop their talents and to emerge as confident, well-rounded individuals.
13+ (Year 9) Academic Scholarships: Examinations are held in February of Year 8.
16+ (Year 12) Academic Scholarships: Scholarship interviews are held in mid-November of Year 11. Candidates must first take the Sixth Form Entrance Examination and those showing scholarship potential will be called for Scholarship interviews.
Music Scholarships: Awarded each year at 13+ and 16+. At 13+ with assessment auditions held at Rugby School in late January of the year of entry. At 16+ the audition is held in November as part of the 16+ entrance procedure.
Art Scholarships: Awarded each year at 13+ and at 16+. At 13+ the assessment takes place in March of Year 8. At 16+, it is in November as part of the 16+ entrance procedure.
Design and Technology Scholarships: Awarded each year at 13+ and at 16+. At 13+ the assessment takes place in March of Year 8. At 16+ it is in November as part of the 16+ entrance procedure.
Sports Scholarships: At 13+ and 16+ for candidates with outstanding ability or potential in the major team games for boys (rugby, hockey, cricket and tennis) or girls (hockey, netball and tennis). At 13+ the assessment takes place in November of Year 8. At 16+ it is in October of Year 11.
Performing Arts Scholarships: A number of Performing Arts Scholarships are awarded each year at 13+ and 16+ to candidates with outstanding acting ability or potential. At 16+ there are also scholarships for technical ability in performing arts. At 13+ the assessment takes place in February of Year 8. At 16+ it is in February of Year 11.
Computing Scholarships: Awarded each year at 13+ and 16+. At 13+ the assessment takes place in May of Year 8. At 16+ it is in November as part of the 16+ entrance procedure.
Foundation Awards: Several Foundation Awards are made annually to day boy and day girl candidates at 13+ and 16+. These candidates must live within a radius of 20 miles from the Rugby Clock Tower – excluding the city of Coventry.
Awards and Augmentation: The value of a Scholarship Award or a Foundation Award (including more than one award) is a maximum fee concession of 5%. Support can be augmented up to 100% of the day fees subject to means assessment.
The Arnold Foundation aims to raise funds through charitable donations to support the education of talented students whose families would not be able to fund boarding school fees. Funds are available for several awards for entry to the sixth form and at 13+. Students offered a place through this scheme may be awarded up to 100% of the full boarding fee plus extras. The final selection is through interviews. Candidates are expected to pass the school’s normal entrance requirements. Initial enquiries should be made via the Admissions Office.
For further information and details of all Scholarships, Foundation Awards and The Arnold Foundation please contact the Director of Admissions, Tel: 01788 556273, email: admissions@rugbyschool.net. Fees per term (2023-2024) The consolidated termly fee for boys and girls: £15,330 (boarding), £9,630 (day).
Further Information. Visit: www.rugbyschool.co.uk. Enquiries and applications should be made in the first instance to the Director of Admissions. Charitable status. The Governing Body of Rugby School is a Registered Charity, number 528752. It exists to provide education for young people.
Governors & Staff:
Governing Body:
Mr B J O’Brien (Chair)
Ms C J Marten, MA (Deputy Chair)
Mr R Aggarwal, MA, MBA
Mr N Bacon, FCA, CTA
Mr J C F Barwell, BA, FCSI, OBE
Ms C A Coates, LLB
Mr R J A Elmhirst, LLB (Deputy Chairman, Finance & Audit)
Dr C Greenhalgh, BA, PGCE
Mr A Habib, Bsc, MSc
Mr J R Moreland, MA, PGCE, NPQH
Mr S R T Penniston (Associate Governor for RS Thailand)
The Reverend Canon Dr R M Pryce
General (retd) Sir Tim Radford, KDB, DSO, OBE
Mr D Skailes, BSc, FCA
Mr P Smulders, BA, MBA
Mrs C Wills
Chief Operating Officer and Clerk to the Governing Body: Mr P A Nicholls, MA, FCA
Medical Officer: Dr H Collier, MB, ChB, DRCOG, MRCGP
Rugby School Group
Executive Principal (International): Dr N G Hampton, MA, PhD, PGCE
International Development Director: Mr I M McIntyre, MA
Governor (International): Mr P R A Green, MA, PGCE
Rugby School
Head Master: Mr G Parker-Jones, MA, MA, PGCE
Deputy Heads:
Mr E S Davies, BA, MSc, PGCE (Academic)
Mrs L M Hampton, BEd, MSc
Mr L D Shepherd, BSc, PGCE (Co-Curricular)
Assistant Heads:
Mr P K Bell, MA, MSc, PGCE (Houses)
Miss R J Force, BSc (Middle School)
Dr G C E Joyce, BSc, PhD, PGCE (Upper School)
Dr J D Muston, MA, MPhil, DPhil (Formation)
Head of Safeguarding:
Mrs E L Sale, BSc, PGCE
Director of Admissions: Mrs L J Bursey Faulkner, BA, BMus QTS, LRSM
Teaching Staff:
* Head of Department
Chaplaincy:
The Revd R M Horner, BSc (Chaplain)*
Miss L Greatwood, BSc, DipMin, PGCE
Classics:
Mr W D Nicholl, BA, MA, MEd*
Dr F B Chesterton, BA, MA, PhD, PGCE
Mr A W Chow, BA
Mr S A Lambert, BA
Mr T J Morrison, MA, PGCE
Computer Science:
Mrs L A Bell, BEng*
Mr I Kurgansky, MSc, PGCE
Mr T E Rennoldson, BSc, PGCE
Design:
Mrs A K Merlarkey, BA, PGCE (Design)*
Mr J D Brown, BA, MA, PGCE
Mr M Cuff, BA, PGCE
Miss J E Harrington, BA, MA PGCE
Mrs H Lambie-Jones, BA, MA, PGCE
Mr J Ryan, BA, B-Tech, PGCE, MFA
Mr O Selfridge, BA, MA, PGCE
Mr B J Welch, BEng, PGCE
Mr D H Wright, BA, MA, PGCE
Economics and Business:
Mr A M Burge, BSc, PGCE (Business)*
Miss H Burrows, BA, PGCE (Economics)*
Mr A J I Baird, MA
Mr H J Higginson, BA
Ms H L McPherson, BSc, MSc, PGCE
English:
Mr T Eyre-Maunsell, MA, MA, PGCE*
Mrs M Baker, BA, PGCE
Mr H Dhesi, MA, BA, PGCE (Head of TOK)
Mrs N B Lockhart-Mann, BA, HDipEd, MSc
Mrs E M Moyle, BA, MA, PGCE
Dr J H Moyle, BA, MA, PhD
Ms A Scott-Martin, MA, MA, PGCE
Dr A T Shaw, BA, MA, PhD, PGCE
Mr A N Smith, MA, MTeach, PGCE
Dr J A Sutcliffe, BA, PhD, PGCE
Futures Advisory Service:
Mrs D Horner, BA*
Ms L Waweru, BPhilEd, PQCG
Mrs C Wheeler, BSc, PGDip, QCG
Geography:
Mrs J Brett, BA, PGCE*
Mrs C M Dow, BA, PGCE
Mr J C Evans, BA, PGCE
Miss L A Grieve, BA, MA, MSc, BSc, PGCE
Dr L E Milner, MA, MSc, PhD
Mr L D Shepherd, BSc, PGCE
Mr D W Wood, BA, PGCE
History:
Dr T D Guard, MA, MSt, DPhil, PGCE*
Miss C V Barnett, BA, PGCE, NPQH
Mr E S Davies, BA, MSc, PGCE
Dr M E Fowle, BA, MA, PhD, PGCE
Miss K Hollings, BA
Mrs M H Mahalski, MA, GDL, LPC, PGCE
Dr J D Muston, MA, MPhil, DPhil
Mr G Parker-Jones, MA, MA, PGCE
Dr T W Smith, BA, MA, PhD, PGCE, FRHistS, FRAS
Mr J M Stedman, BA
IB Co-ordinator:
Mrs N B Lockhart-Mann, BA, HDipEd, MSc
Keeper of Scholars and Oxbridge:
Dr A G Davies, BSc, PhD, PGCE (Science & Mathematics)
Dr T W Smith, BA, MA, PhD, PGCE, FRHistS, FRAS (Arts & Humanities)
Learning Development:
Mr I W L Murdoch, BA, PGCE, NASENCO, CPT3A*
Miss R S Cave, BSc, PGCE
Mrs A Dhesi BA, PGCE
Mrs N A Snowden, BEd, Hon Inclusive Education
Miss L Woodford, BA, PGCE
Mathematics:
Mr N Jones, MA, MEng, PGCE*
Mr W Uglow, BSc, PGCE (Second i/c)
Mr M R Baker, BA, PGCE
Mr P K Bell, MA, MSc, PGCE
Ms H C S Casson, BA, MA, FRSS, PGCE
Miss R J Force, BSc
Mrs N Good, MA, MMath, PGCE
Mr I Kurgansky, MSc, PGCE
Mr B L Lane, MA, MSc, PGCE
Mr A Langstone, MA, BSc, PGCE
Mrs S C McGuirk, BEng, PGCE, NPQML
Dr W P Murphy, BSc, MSc, PhD
Mr B J Rigg, MA, ACA
Mrs L J Sheehan, MA, BA, PGCE
Mr A J Siggers, BSc, PGCE
Modern Languages:
Mr L Callan, BA, MA, PGCE*
Mrs K Adams, BA, PGCE (Spanish)*
Mr C M Brown, BA, PGCE (German)*
Dr B Parolin, BA, MA, PhD, PGCE (Italian)*
Ms C Piquard, BA, MA (French)*
Mr G Arnoux, BA, MAm PGCE
Mr S Foulds, BA, PGCE
Mrs C A O’Mahoney, BA, PGCE
Ms C A Piton, MA, PGCE
Mr E Rico
Ms B S Sanchez Alonso, BA, BA, PGCE
Music:
Mr R J Tanner, MA, FRCO, ARAM, Hon FGCM (Director of Music)*
Miss R Taylor, MA, MA, DipABRSM, LRAM, ATCL (Deputy Director of Music)
Mr J J Conway, BA, ARCO, PGCE (Academic Music)
Mr A R Davey, LTCL (Head of Co-Curricular Music)
Mr I Foster, BMus, PGDip (GSMD), QTS (Head of Music Partnerships)
Mrs S Sanders, BMus
Mr M Sandy, MMus, MA Cantab, DipABRSM (Head of Vocal Studies)
Mr I M Wicks, BEng, PGCE (Head of Keyboard)
Mr J A Williams, BA, MA, Dip ABRSM, PGCE, ACIEA (Head of Academic Music)
Philosophy and Theology:
Mrs A L Parker-Jones, MA, PGCE*
Mr A B Birch, BA, MLitt
Miss L J Greatwood, BSc, Dip Min, PGCE
Revd R M Horner, BSc
Ms M J Rule, BSocSci, MA, PGCE
Politics and International Relations:
Mr P Teeton, BA, MA*
Miss C V Barnett, BA, PGCE, NPQH
Miss A F Griffiths, BA, MSc
PSHE:
Miss L J Greatwood, BSc, DipMin, PGCE
Science:
Mr S P Robinson, BSc, PGCE, MRes*
Mr P M Gillam, MA, PGCE (Biology)*
Dr S R Belding, MChem, DPhil (Chemistry)*
Mr R Parker, BSc, PGCE (Physics)*
Mr T J Batchelor, MA, MChem
Mr H E Burke, BSc
Mrs K Carter, BEng, CEng, MRAeS, PGCE
Dr S A Crabb, BSc, PhD
Dr A G Davies, BSc, PhD, PGCE
Mr R Dhanda, BSc, QTS
Mr A D Ellis, BSc, MEd, PGCE
Mr N A Fisher, BSc, MSc, MA, FInstP, PGCE
Miss L J Greatwood, BSc, Dip Min, PGCE
Mrs L M Hampton, BEd, MSc
Dr G C E Joyce, BSc, PhD, PGCE
Mrs R J Lam, BSc, PGCE
Mr R B McGuirk, BSc, MSc, PGCE
Mr M A Monteith, BSc, PGCE
Dr N J Morse, BSc, PhD, CChem, FRSC
Dr G Nelson, BSc, MSc, DPhil
Mrs E A Robinson, BSc, PGCE, MEd
Dr A M Thompson, BSc, PhD, PGCE (Biology)
Dr M A Thompson, BSc, PhD, PGCE (Chemistry)
Dr A A Wheatley, MA, MSci, PhD, PGCE
Sport:
Mrs D L Skene, BSc, PGCE (Director of Sport)*
Mr M Bayly, BSc (Director of Rugby)
Mr C Folker, BCom Acc (Director of Rackets Sports)
Mr M J Powell (Director of Cricket)
Mr J M Stedman, BA (Director of Hockey)
Mr N T Atley, MSc (Strength & Conditioning Coach)
Sports Science:
Mr H C Chamberlain, BSc, PGDip, PGCE*
Mr B D Adams, BSc, PGCE
Mr H E Burke, BSc
Miss E M Watton, BA, PGCE (PE)
Mrs L M Hampton, BEd, MSc
Mrs D L Skene, BSc, PGCE
Theatre Studies & Performing Arts:
Dr T D Coker, BA, MMus, MPhil, PhD (Artistic Director)*
Mr C J Browning (Head of Co-Curricular Performing Arts)
Mr A K Chessell, BA, MSc, PGCE
Mrs S J Farmer, BA, PGCE (Head of Academic Drama)
Ms E Finlay, BA, MA (Head of Dance)
Mrs F Passmore, BA, PGCE, MTL
Houses and Housemasters/mistresses:
Boarding Houses (boys):
Cotton: Mr Michael Powell
Kilbracken: Mr Saul Foulds
Michell: Mr Ben Welch
School Field: Dr Mark Fowle
School House: Mr Andrew Smith
Sheriff: Mr Maurice Monteith
Whitelaw: Mr Ashley Ellis
Day Boy House:
Town: Mr Andrew Chessell
Boarding Houses (girls):
Bradley: Mrs Caroline Dow
Dean: Mrs Felicity Passmore
Griffin: Miss Lisa Greatwood
Rupert Brooke: Miss Katie Hollings
Stanley (Sixth Form only): Ms A Scott-Martin
Tudor: Mrs Debbie Horner
Day Girl House:
Southfield: Mrs Michelle Baker