Compare International Schools in Rugby, United Kingdom

Location

Rugby School is in the heart of Rugby, Warwickshire. London is about 50 minutes away by train from Euston to Rugby station, and the school is a short drive from the M1, M6 and A14. Birmingham Airport is about 30 minutes away, making international connections straightforward. Rugby School, Lawrence Sheriff Street, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV22 5EH.

Stages

Entry begins in Year 9. GCSEs are studied through Year 11. In the Sixth Form (Years 12–13) students choose between the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and A levels.

Type

The school is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13–18. Total students are approximately 50:50 boys and girls, with about 75% of students as boarders.

Additional learning support

SEN and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided. In the Middle School, learning development lessons may replace a subject option; in the Upper School these lessons may be taken during study periods. A Learning Development teacher is assigned to each boarding House; tailored small-group and individual sessions; resources include literacy software and IELTS preparation for progression to British universities.

Country affiliation

England (United Kingdom)

School day structure

Day students follow the same timetable as boarders. Saturday morning lessons are followed by an afternoon of sport. Afternoons may be sport, community service or lessons depending on year group; tea is provided for evening activities; younger years have supervised prep.

Headline tuition (termly)
- BOARDING: GBP 20,620 per term.
- DAY: GBP 13,070 per term.
- Both the boarding and day termly amounts are inclusive of VAT.

Application, registration and entrance fees
- Registration fee: GBP 300 (including VAT). This fee does not apply to Foundationers.
- Entrance fee: GBP 2,500 (except Foundationers). GBP 1,250 of the Entrance Fee is credited after completion of the first term.
- Additional deposit: one term's fees in advance is payable in addition to the Entrance Fee for parents whose normal residence is outside the United Kingdom.

Tuition by year group / per term detail
- The School publishes headline termly fees (see "Headline tuition" above). The School calculates termly fees by dividing the annual fee equally between the three terms; the published termly figures are the charges for each term. Reductions are not offered for absence in Trinity Term after examinations.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Annual fees are divided equally between the three terms and billed on a termly basis. Termly bills include academic extras and other charges that apply for that term. A full term's fees are due where a pupil is withdrawn without a full term's written notice to the Head Master.
- Termly bills will include academic extras such as textbooks, revision guides, public examination fees (GCSEs, A-levels, IB) and required field trips; material costs for Art/Design examinations will be reviewed with parents when expected to exceed GBP 200 in total. Termly bills also include House Subs and other House extras.

Boarding fees and boarding-related charges
- Boarding termly fee: GBP 20,620 per term (see headline tuition). Boarding charges are termly (and calculated as one third of the annual fee where annual fees are used).
- Additional boarding-related extras (e.g., dry cleaning, meals out, taxis, medication) are charged to the student's account as incurred and are reflected on termly bills. House Subs to support House social activities are charged each term.

Discounts and remissions
- Sibling discounts (applied to net termly fees): 5% for the third child at Rugby School (or Bilton Grange); 7.5% for the fourth and subsequent children at Rugby School (or Bilton Grange).
- Boarding Pathway discount: 10% discount for pupils who join via the Boarding Pathway from a Rugby School Group prep school. This discount is not additive with other remissions.
- CEA remissions are available in certain circumstances for parents serving with the Forces or FCDO and where the student joined from a Rugby School Group prep school.

Other compulsory and typical additional costs
- Academic extras and co-curricular charges: music tuition, LAMDA, dance, paid sports coaching, CCF and Duke of Edinburgh participation and other optional paid activities are charged separately; parents should budget for these termly extras. Material costs for practical exam subjects may be billed if expected to exceed GBP 200.
- School shop and tuck (the "Stodge"): purchases (uniform, stationery, merchandise) and an agreed tuck allowance are charged to the pupil's bill. A temporary Stodge allowance of GBP 30 per term is allocated if no allowance has been set.
- Visa compliance and international student administration:
- A one-off charge of GBP 450 plus VAT (GBP 540 total) is payable where the School supports a Child Student Visa or Student Visa application.
- International student compliance charge: GBP 90 plus VAT per term (GBP 108 per term). This covers ongoing compliance and additional support for international students; travel costs (e.g., airport guardians) are charged separately.
- Rugbeian Society subscription: lifetime membership is charged based on the number of terms a student will attend; new students joining in 2026–27 will pay a total of GBP 911 over their time at the School.

Optional insurances and fee-protection items
- Personal Effects insurance (optional): GBP 8.10 per term (total sum insured GBP 5,000 p.a., limit GBP 2,000 per article, GBP 25 excess).
- Private healthcare (optional): GBP 158 per term (AXA PPP provider).
- Personal Accident insurance (which incorporates emergency dental care) is included in fees. A separate "Fees Refund" insurance product is shown at 0.67% of the termly fee for boarding students and 0.86% of the termly fee for day students (this appears in the School's optional insurances section).

Refund information (deposits, entrance fee and withdrawal)
- Refunds of the Entrance Fee or Additional Deposit: after completion of a pupil's time at the School, parents may elect either to receive a full refund of the Entrance Fee or Additional Deposit or to leave them as a donation to the School's Arnold Foundation bursaries. Refunds are only offered after settlement of all outstanding bills, including the final bill of extras charged at the end of the pupil's final term.
- Withdrawal and notice: a full term's fees are due if a pupil is withdrawn without a full term's written notice to the Head Master. Tuition and other term fees are not reduced for absence in Trinity Term once examinations are completed.

Fee payment options and practical payment notes
- Bank transfer is an accepted method for fee-related payments; the School's registration materials provide the Governing Body of Rugby School bank details (National Westminster Bank, Rugby branch) for transfer and IBAN/SWIFT details for overseas payments. Cheques have historically been accepted for registration fees as noted on the School's registration form. For specific bank details, billing references, or queries about payment methods, contact the Fees Officer.
- Composition of Fees (Fees‑in‑Advance) scheme: the School operates a scheme to pay fees in advance; any payments by this Scheme are against fees including VAT. Adjustments apply for those who paid into the Scheme prior to 29 July 2024 and will be communicated by the Fees Administrator.

Contacts for fee queries
- Fees Officer email: fees@rugbyschool.net. General enquiries telephone: +44 (0)1788 556 216.

Boarding Arrangements

Rugby is a full boarding school. Boarders live in one of 13 girls' and boys' boarding Houses for the term, where they sleep, eat, do prep and take part in House activities; the House is the term‑time home. There are no flexi or weekly boarding arrangements, with exeats occurring twice per term. Day pupils join Day Houses with study spaces and meals, and weekend activities on the main campus are available.

Uniform Requirement

General Uniform includes a tweed jacket and a dark blue school jacket, trousers or a skirt, pastel blue shirts, a navy crested pullover, a House tie for boys or a House badge for girls, and smart black leather shoes; coats and a House/School scarf are optional. Sports and year‑group kit are supplied separately through approved suppliers.

Food Options

In‑House dining: each House has its own chef who tailors menus to tastes, allergies, nutritional needs and religious observance. Pupils eat in their House, with no central dining hall, and the House environment supports shared meals and social time.

House System

Rugby uses a whole‑school House system with boarding Houses and Day Houses. Boarding Houses accommodate about 50 pupils each (around 10 per year group, ages 13–18), with a resident Housemaster/mistress, a Deputy and two matrons, plus weekly tutor meetings and a Sixth Form peer‑coach system. The social programme and organised activities are coordinated at House level, with spaces for study, relaxation and meals.

Governance and Ownership

Rugby School is governed by a dedicated Governing Body responsible for setting the School's strategic direction and safeguarding its long‑term sustainability.

Curriculum

Year 9 students benefit from a broad and balanced education across core subjects. This breadth continues at GCSE with a wide range of subjects. In the Sixth Form Rugby School offers two routes for advanced study: the International Baccalaureate Programme and A levels. The IB Diploma encourages curiosity and independence of thought, while A levels are subject-based qualifications enabling specialization in three chosen subjects. Curriculum Guides for 2026 cover F Block, E and D Block, and Upper School, detailing the courses and structure.

Exam Results

We publish examination results and university destinations. Around 70% of leavers progress to Russell Group universities each year, with between 10 and 20 securing places at Oxford or Cambridge, and Oxbridge admissions support is available. Recent leavers have gone to Harvard, Princeton and Duke, among others, with UK and international destinations listed.

Higher Education Progression

Around 70% of leavers progress to Russell Group universities each year, with between 10 and 20 securing places at Oxford or Cambridge; there is dedicated Oxbridge admissions support. UK destinations include Durham, Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, UCL, LSE and St Andrews; international destinations include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, the University of Toronto, McGill, the University of Sydney and the University of Hong Kong.

Gifted and Talented

Academic enrichment enriches the learning experience beyond the classroom. Visiting speakers occur each term, and trips are organized across the UK and around the world (e.g., Europe trips for Modern Foreign Languages and New York and Rome trips for Art History). There are more than 100 clubs and societies, many student-led. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is offered to Sixth Form students, and the Futures Advisory Service provides guidance on career exploration and university preparation.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Social and emotional learning is supported through universal and targeted provisions. Floreat PSHEe is part of the curriculum, teaching topics related to health, relationships and personal development. Strong pastoral relationships and boarding care underpin pupil wellbeing. An Emotional Health Lead and Senior School Counsellor provide counselling and coordinate wellbeing support. Staff are trained to respond to safeguarding concerns, listen to students and refer to appropriate services when needed. Safeguarding procedures include sharing information with families and professionals when appropriate to protect pupils.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school identifies and provides for students who have special educational needs and additional needs, including those for whom English is not their first language (EAL). A graduated approach to support begins with high-quality teaching and targeted support, with escalation to the Head of Learning Development where necessary. All new entrants are screened to identify possible learning difficulties and English language proficiency; early screening informs teaching and pastoral arrangements. EAL students may access English as an additional language support; EAL classes are available and EAL is integrated into the SEND framework. The SEND Policy uses levels such as SEND Support, Extra Support Required and Word Processor, with Student Support Sheets and regular reviews; information is shared with parents and teachers to coordinate support. EAL is explicitly addressed within the SEND framework.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

EAL classes are provided to help students access an English-speaking curriculum, and resources are delivered through Rugby School Online and the Rugby School EAL Academy. We offer EAL classes designed to help students access an English-speaking curriculum, with streamed GCSE, A-Level and IB teaching from Rugby School educators. EAL teacher training is provided for educators as part of professional development.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental health and wellbeing are treated as part of safeguarding and pastoral care. Universal provisions include Floreat (PSHEe) and strong pastoral relationships and boarding care to support wellbeing, with targeted support for students who need it. Lead staff include the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Emotional Health Lead; a Senior School Counsellor coordinates wellbeing services. The School aims to promote positive mental health, identify concerns early and provide appropriate support, with staff responding calmly to disclosures and recording concerns on CPOMS. Risk assessments and tailored support plans may be used for significant concerns, and external clinical care may be required where appropriate. The School is not a specialist mental health service and boarding is not a 24-hour medical setting.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is a child-centred approach; the Governing Body, the Head Master and all staff are committed to the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of all children in their care. The safeguarding policy applies to staff, governors and adult volunteers and aligns with Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Partnership guidance for referrals. The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Liz Sale, with Deputy Heads Lara Hampton and Ali Hakimi as further safeguarding leads, and a Director of Safeguarding; the Senior Counsellor and Emotional Wellbeing Lead is available to support pupils. The policy sets out reporting procedures, safeguarding training, and arrangements for information sharing with families and professionals as appropriate.

History

Rugby School was founded in 1567 by the will of Lawrence Sheriff, Grocer and Spice Merchant to Queen Elizabeth I, with Trustees establishing a free endowed Grammar School for the boys of Rugby and Brownsover. The school moved from Church Road, Rugby to occupy a manor house on the present site of School House and The Close in 1750. In 1823, a student and foundationer, William Webb Ellis, took the ball in his arms and ran with it, originating rugby football. Thomas Arnold, Head Master (1828–1842), is famed for emphasising subjects that prepared boys for power and increasing their responsibilities. Rugby School welcomed its first three girls in 1975; now it is international in outlook with boys and girls from all over the UK and from 51 countries around the world, and it is run as a charitable trust administered by a governing body.

Community

Music is an integral part of life at Rugby School; more than a third of students have music lessons, and there are over 200 musical events every year. The Festival on the Close is an annual festival of arts and culture that involves the local community with workshops and performances. Flagship events bring together pupils, staff, parents and alumni and include the Pushcart Race (4 October 2026), House Christmas Lunches (12 December 2026), the Parents' Carol Service (6 December 2026), the Whole School Production (9–11 February 2027) and The Festival on The Close (26–30 June 2027).

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

As a parent or guardian of a student at Rugby School, you are automatically part of our Parents' Club community. The Parents' Club connects you with other parents across the school, within your child's year group, and in their house. It plays an important role in supporting the school, enriching the student experience and fostering a strong sense of community and involvement among families. The Club regularly hosts informal gatherings, including meetings, lunches and dinners, often alongside key school events such as seminars and concerts, with invitations sent in advance. The 2026-27 calendar lists upcoming events, and full information is available in the Rugby School Portal calendar.

Facilities Overview

Rugby School provides extensive on-site facilities for academics, arts and sport. The Performing Arts facilities include the Macready Theatre (230 seats), Temple Speech Room, two studio theatres and a dance studio, with outdoor performance spaces on The Close. On the sports front, the campus hosts eight rugby pitches including The Close, a High-Performance Gym, 35 tennis courts, 9 netball courts, 3 astro-turf hockey pitches, a 25m swimming pool, 3 squash courts and 2 fives courts, with an indoor sports centre on site. Cricket is supported by eight cricket squares with stitched wickets, eight artificial nets, twelve grass nets and four indoor nets. Academically, the Computer Science department is establishing an in-house AI Lab, there is an AI course and a Stan‑X collaboration with Stanford University.

Sports Facilities

Rugby School features extensive on-site sports facilities. There are eight rugby pitches including The Close and a High‑Performance Gym. The cricket facilities include 8 cricket squares, 8 artificial nets, 12 grass nets and 4 indoor nets. There are 35 tennis courts and 9 netball courts, plus 3 astro‑turf hockey pitches. A 25m swimming pool and 3 squash courts complete the main indoor options, and there are 2 fives courts. The campus also houses an indoor sports centre on site.

Academic Facilities

The Computer Science department is establishing an in-house AI Lab. The AI Lab provides hands-on engagement with artificial intelligence in a secure in-house environment, and there is a timetabled Artificial Intelligence course offering practical experience with AI tools. The School collaborates with Stanford University on Stan-X, a genetic and disease research project. These initiatives reflect the school's active use of technology in teaching.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Rugby School offers a rich co-curricular life with Sport, Music, Performing Arts and Clubs & Societies. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award has around 360 participants. The Combined Cadet Force involves outdoor pursuits and uses a 10‑metre climbing wall and a 25‑metre shooting range. The Festival on The Close takes place each June with over 200 creative workshops and performances. The Performing Arts facilities support onstage activity with the Macready Theatre (230-seat), Temple Speech Room, two studio theatres and a dance studio.

Academic & Intellectual

The school enriches the academic experience beyond the classroom through visiting speakers, trips and student‑led societies. Trips are organised across the UK and around the world, with the Modern Foreign Languages department taking students to Europe and the Art History department visiting New York and Rome. There are more than 100 clubs and societies, and students are encouraged to publish their own writings. The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) originated at Rugby School and is now embraced across the Sixth Form, alongside a Futures Advisory Service providing careers guidance.

Arts & Creative

The school offers Music that cultivates discipline, creativity and confidence through music‑making at the highest level. Performing Arts builds confidence, communication and creativity on stage and for life. The Poet in Residence program supports creative writing and collaboration with student writers. Student‑led publications contribute to a vibrant artistic and literary culture.

Cultural & Language

The school runs trips and exchanges, with the Modern Foreign Languages department taking students to Europe. Trips and exchanges broaden cultural horizons across the curriculum. Visiting speakers from diverse fields enrich cultural awareness.

Social & Hobbies

There are more than 100 clubs and societies, with many student‑led initiatives. If a suitable option isn't available, students are encouraged to start their own club. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the Combined Cadet Force provide additional social and hobby‑based activities. The co‑curricular programme offers a wide range of interests from sport to drama and creative pursuits.

Community & Service

The service education and partnerships programme creates impact within the community and shapes students' personal and professional development, often influencing their future career choices. Participation in community outreach and service projects is encouraged as part of Rugby School's ethos. The framework connects pupils with community-based initiatives and partner organisations.

Leadership & Professional

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award involves around 360 students across Bronze, Silver and Gold. In Year 9 it introduces outward bound activities such as climbing, kayaking and mountain biking, with Sixth Form expeditions becoming more ambitious. The Combined Cadet Force involves around 200 students and includes outdoor pursuits like abseiling, clay pigeon shooting, and use of the climbing wall and shooting range. The Futures Advisory Service provides a comprehensive careers framework with guidance, skills development and a Careers Convention.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Sport is central to daily life, with every pupil doing some form of exercise each day. The sport programme develops the whole athlete—mentally, emotionally and physically—through challenge and competition. Equestrian sport supports riders from grassroots to national level with expert coaching and development. Facilities such as climbing walls and dedicated activity spaces support wellbeing and physical activity.

Admissions

1. Visit us. Open Days or personal tours provide a genuine sense of daily life, enabling you to meet students and staff and explore facilities. 2. Register. When Rugby School may be right for your child, register to confirm interest and receive guidance on entry timelines, House preferences and any individual circumstances. 3. Assessment. Assessments identify potential and readiness to thrive. The Year 6 Assessment Day includes online tests in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus an interview with a senior member of staff and a Housemaster or Housemistress, and collaborative group activities. Entry tests may be Rugby School's own tests in English and Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, or Common Entrance, with assessments beginning in Year 6 and additional opportunities in Year 7 and Year 8. 4. Scholarships. A range of scholarships recognises exceptional ability or promise, with 13+ scholarship assessments held in Advent and Lent terms of Year 8 for areas including Academic, Art, Computing, Design and Technology, Music, Performing Arts and Sport; the Foundation Award widens access to Rugby School education for local children; scholarship awards may be supported by means-tested bursaries. 5. Join us. After a place is offered and accepted, joining information is provided ahead of the new academic year in September, including House allocation, uniform and induction; the school's pastoral and academic teams support a smooth transition.

Scholarships

The school offers scholarships in Academic, Art, Computing, Design, Performing Arts, Music and Sport. A substantial number of Academic Scholarships at 13+ are awarded; 13+ scholarship assessments take place in Advent and Lent terms of Year 8 for areas including Academic, Art, Computing, Design and Technology, Music, Performing Arts and Sport; the Foundation Award widens access to Rugby School education for local children; scholarship awards may be accompanied by means-tested bursaries. For 16+ entry, Academic Scholarships are automatically considered for Sixth Form entrance; other scholarships (Art, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Music, Performing Arts and Sport) involve subject-specific assessments and interviews.