The Shires
School summary
With just 29 pupils on roll, The Shires is among the smallest independent schools a family could consider, offering a level of intimacy that larger institutions cannot match. Set in Rutland in the East Midlands, this mixed, non-denominational school takes boarders as well as day pupils. Under the leadership of head Mr Jamie Hill, its tiny size means staff can know every child individually. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.
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.
Free month · No payment needed
Teaching & academics
Entry is at age 11, with an 11+ assessment forming part of the admissions process. The very small roll allows for close, highly personalised teaching, with pupils likely to receive a great deal of individual attention.
Head · Mr Jamie Hill
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- Yes
Schools nearby
Wilds Lodge School
Oakham, East Midlands
Witham Hall Preparatory School
Witham-on-the-Hill, Bourne, Lincolnshire, East Midlands
Oakham School
Oakham, East Midlands
Brooke Priory School
Oakham, East Midlands
The Shires at Oakham
Should be blank, East Midlands
Stamford Endowed Schools
Lincolnshire, East Midlands
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A genuinely small, family-scale independent school in Rutland, suited to families seeking close individual attention and the option of boarding.
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.
Free month · No payment needed
The Shires 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.