Rugby School
School summary
Founded in 1567 and famous as the birthplace of the game that bears its name, Rugby School is a Church of England boarding and day school in Warwickshire for pupils aged 13 to 18. With 888 pupils and a notably low pupil-to-teacher ratio of seven, it offers an unusually personal scale of teaching for a school of its standing. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it excellent for both education and personal development, and confirmed it met all compliance standards. A sizeable sixth form of 431 sits at the heart of the school, where the IB and EPQ broaden the curriculum alongside A-levels.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
78%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
59%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
87%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 29 April 2025
Teaching & academics
Results are strong: 78% of GCSE entries reached grades 9 to 7, and at A-level 59% achieved A*-A with 87% at A*-B. The sixth-form picture leans towards sciences, mathematics and the social sciences, with Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Economics and History all popular choices. Lower down the school, classical and modern languages feature prominently, including Latin, Classical Greek and Chinese. Around 18% of pupils receive some form of SEN support.
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Head master · Gareth Parker-Jones
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 431
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Scholarships span academic work, sport, music, art, drama and computing, reflecting the breadth of opportunity on offer. Languages teaching extends to French, Spanish and Chinese.
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1567
- Religious character
- C of E
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 18.41%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Mobile phone policy
Students must avoid the use of mobile devices in public places and around the campus. Rules concerning access to mobile and other electronic devices differ depending on age from year 9, with very limited access, through to upper school with no restrictions, but responsible use. Younger students hand in their mobiles to their housemaster or housemistress and the penalty for misuse of mobiles can result in confiscation or not allowing them to be brought into school.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £37,350
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £58,920
Arnold Foundation pupils attend on fully funded bursary places
Schools nearby
Avon Park School
Rugby, West Midlands
Crescent School
Rugby, West Midlands
Willow Park School
Rugby, West Midlands
Bilton Grange School
Rugby, West Midlands
The Haven School Wolston
West Midlands
Princethorpe College
Rugby, West Midlands
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A historic, academically serious boarding school with small classes and a wide curriculum. Fees are substantial, though Arnold Foundation places offer fully funded routes in.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Rugby School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.