Rugby school is a historic, well-established, co-educational school that is steeped in tradition and is probably best known as the birthplace of the sports that shares its name. The school has been educating children since 1567 and went fully co-educational in 1992. Rugby has always been at the forefront of innovation in teaching methods. The popular Extended Project Qualification was developed here, and academic facilities are outstanding, in particular for Languages and Sciences. Rugby has recently started to offer the IB Diploma in the sixth form alongside A Levels. The school has two main entry points, at 13 plus and 16 plus.
Entering Rugby School in Year 9 (13 plus):
Rugby accepts 160 pupils each year into Year 9.
13 Plus Entrance Process for Rugby School:
As of 2024, Rugby School now welcomes applicants for both boarding and day places from Year 6 students. Year 6 is now the beginning of the process for all candidates except those applying for bursary support, who apply in Year 7 (boarding) and Year 8 (day).
All Year 6 applicants must attend the 13+ Assessment Day. This takes place in late November and is described as ‘an enjoyable and fun day’ that also contains challenging but age-appropriate testing, plus an interview and group tasks. Offers are made on the basis of this day.
Tests on the day involve Quest assessments in both Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning (30 minutes in total), including some free practise time. . Ahead of the 13+ day, applicants are asked to give a handwritten questionnaire (discussing interests and achievements) that will provide the basis for interview questions.
Entering in Year 12 (Sixth Form Entry):
Rugby has an intake of 40 pupils (mainly girls) into Year 12.
16 Plus Entrance Process:
For home candidates, applications must be submitted by September in the year preceding entry, international applications should be made by mid-August. Before applying, you should notify the head teacher of your child’s current school. Applicants will be invited for assessment, which includes entrance tests and interviews, held in November of Year 11.
Offers for entry at 16+ are conditional upon meeting the required grades in GCSE, IB MYP, or equivalent. Rugby School requires at least three 7 grades (or grade A) and three 6 grades (or grade B) at GCSE, or for IB MYP, three 6 grades and three 5 grades. These must include English, Maths, and the subjects intended to study for A-Level or IB Higher Level. Offers are based on academic achievement as well as potential contributions to the co-curricular programme.
Scholarships at Rugby School
Academic Scholarships are offered at 13+, but also other awards are available in a broad range of subjects from Art and Sport to Music and Computing. These are held in February or March of Year 8.
Is there a 16 plus scholarship for Rugby School?
Scholarships are on offer at 16 plus entry for art, computer science, DT, music, performing arts and sport – in addition to traditional Academic Scholarships. Assistance can be gained up to 100% of the value of fees.
What questions does Rugby School ask at interview?
Like many school interviews the Rugby School interview seeks to explore the following about each student:
- Family (e.g. What do you like to do on the weekend as a family?)
- School (e.g. What do you most enjoy about your current school?)
- Academic Learning (e.g. What is your favourite subject and why?)
- Reading (e.g. Do you enjoy reading?)
- Extracurricular (e.g. What activities do you get involved in at school outside of the classroom?)
- Hobbies (e.g. What do you do in your spare time at outside of school?)
- Rugby School (e.g. Why would you like to come to Rugby School?)
Why is Rugby School so popular?
Rugby School is highly regarded for its academic results, strong sport and historic traditions. Education at Rugby is particularly progressive - the EPQ was developed at the school, and they have recently introduced the IB diploma in the sixth form (as an alternative to A Levels). The school is largely paperless, pupils don’t use textbooks or ring binders, their source materials are on electronic whiteboards and laptops. Rugby boasts a very high standard of music, 500 individual music lessons take place every week with a myriad of concerts regularly taking place. The school also offers over 200 different extracurricular activities. Rugby has a full boarding culture (no weekly/flexi boarding) which appeals to some families.
The school’s academic results have been on a steady upward trend and their A level results are now particularly impressive partly due to small class sizes, close academic monitoring of pupils’ progress and intake of academically strong pupils into the sixth form. In 2024, results were A Level 58% at A* or A and GCSE 74% Grade 9-7.
Is Rugby School hard to get into?
Owing to its academic reputation and success Rugby attracts a lot of applications so parents are advised to plan ahead. Entrance at 13 plus is very competitive and there are few places available at 16 plus entry (mainly girl places available).
Rugby School Famous Alumni
Deliciously Ella founder Ella Mills, Neville Chamberlain, Lewis Carroll.
Tutors for Rugby School Entrance
°®ÒºÊÓƵ has over a decade of experience providing tuition to families who wish to send their children to some of the leading UK independent schools including Rugby School.
The tutors we work with are experienced in the intricacies of the 13 plus common entrance, preparation for verbal reasoning tests and the 16 plus entrance to Rugby School.
For more details on how °®ÒºÊÓƵ can help with preparation for entry to Rugby School, please call the office for a chat with one of our client managers, or contact us via our request a tutor form.