Rugby or Uppingham?

[AnonMum42]

We are considering Rugby or Uppingham for 13+ boarding for our DS who is an average all-rounder currently at a London prep school. We have visited both and there doesn't seem much difference, Rugby perhaps a little edgier and Uppingham a little gentler & stronger on the pastoral side? Any views out there?

[cathyandclaire]

We just had this query with DD for 16+ entry. They both seemed great IMO. She hummed and Haaed for ages, Uppingham put on a great show at the open day and the new science block is stunning. Rugby seemed warmer and more welcoming at the entrance exam day, everyone was chatting and mingling. The fixed exeats at Rugby were appealing too, it was a looser arrangement at Uppingham.
In the end she went for Rugby and starts in September :)

[MillyMollyMama]

A vote for Rugby here too. We have friends who have been very disappointed with Upppingham and our DD, who had a look for the 6th form, decided it was very cut off from life as she would know it! They also put most 6th form new girls into their own house so it meant a "them and us" situation. This may have changed now, but Uppingham educated friends of my DD report that Upppingham boys are very keen to give the new girls nick names and rate them regarding their looks. Our friend's son suffered at lot of bullying and left but I would hope this sort of thing has been well and truly stamped on now.

I have very good friends with a second child at Rugby and they are very pleased. Rugby can definitely cater for the all-rounder as well as the very bright. I think it possibly has a few more children from London. It would get my money.

[petrova]

My sons are at uppingham. We have found it to be an excellant school.
My sons are very different personalities, with different interests and both are very happy there.
I have to take issue with the comment that the boys give the girls nicknames - this does not happen ( have friends with girls there who agreed with my son when he said this was not the case.) After all, girls are there from the age of 13 , they are not an alien species - and are actually confident and intelligent enough to stand up for themselves should any boy be daft enough to try doing that.
The new sixth formers are integrated - or so I was told by the daughter of a friend who joined in sixth form.
The school takes a strong stance against bullying - and the overall pastoral care is very strong.
Parents are lovely, very friendly and the staff are fantastic.
It really is a great school . We have had experience of 6 different schools - state, comprehensive, private day school , 2 boarding schools - prep and senior- (we moved a lot!) and uppingham is definitely the best of the bunch. I thoroughly recommend it .

[AnonMum42]

Thanks all. I think we'll go and have another look at both and meet some more housemasters, etc.. I think neither would be a bad decision, which makes making a decision harder!

Petrova, how many houses did you see before making a choice? We saw two on our visit, one close to the main school site and one further out. I can see pros and cons of being close to school and having a little distance. The house master of the further out one seemed a little warmer but house masters come and go so not sure you can make a decision based on that alone.

[MillyMollyMama]

I could give you some of the unflattering nick names the girls were given if you like!!! You cannot possibly know of everything that goes on, petrova! I also said the boarding for 6th form new girls might have changed since we looked but that was only a few years ago. I do realise Op is looking for her DS however. I would also hope they have improved their stance against bullying. What happened to my frind's DS was beyond appalling!

[petrova]

MillyMollyMama you are totally right - I cannot possibly know of everything that goes on, I can only make comments based on my own experience as a current parent.
I did not come on here to have a bunfight and apologise if you thought I was saying your comments were not valid ,I did not mean you to get that impression.
They have always had a firm stance against bullying while my sons have been there - maybe because of your friend's experience there . I know several children were expelled several years ago because of bullying.
I have a God-daughter in sixth form and she has never experienced the type of treatment you describe - again as you say, I do not know everything , and her experience is not that of all girls. All I can say is she is enjoying her time there.
AnonMum1 my sons are in different houses . One is in a country house and one a town house .
You may have to be more organised if you live in a country or hill house - it is easier to dash back for forgotten items if you live in a town house!
My sons are very different and are both very happy with their housemasters.
The housemaster in my elder son's house changed about 18 months ago . My son got on really well with the old housemaster but is equally happy with the 'new' one. The school managed the change very well.
I would advise meeting the pastoral matron at the same time as the housemaster as they are very important in your child's life.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

[cathyandclaire]

I know this doesn't affect you Anon but I think they both have a big house for new sixth form girls, we sat with a group at a recent event and they all felt that it helped them settle in, they made lots of friends who had been at the school all along, through classes and sports/drama etc but that it was lovely having a ready made 'family' of new girls around you.

[MillyMollyMama]

That house for new girls was a massive turn off for my DD. Everyone is different. No offence taken, petrova.

[Robot100]

My son is at a London prep and also has an offer for Rugby. Feedback on taking Rugby vs. sitting for Merchant Taylor or Habs boys? We very much like Rugby but wonder if he should be sitting for a London day school. Did you decide between Rugby and Uppingham?

[Hermoine2212]

Just to add, I realise this thread is inactive, from 2009-2016 at Uppingham the rating of girls was active. Before enrolling as a visitor to my brothers and then later as a pupil, I'd walk from town to quad and boys would stand outside their houses and shout numbers and laugh. Also witnessed hierarchy bullying between academic and support staff