Years 7 and 8
at Uppingham School
Uppingham is planning to open a Year 7 and 8 Lower School House in September 2025.
Our plan is to create a House which fosters a sense of belonging and community for these two important and distinctive year groups.
With the children’s end of prep or primary education uppermost in our thoughts, we will create an environment where they are inspired by their educational experience in a safe and nurturing setting. At the same time, the Lower School pupils will benefit from full access to the facilities and resources available at Uppingham.
THE CURRICULUM
Led by Mrs Miranda Melville-Coman (Deputy Head Academic), our Key Stage Three curriculum for Years 7 and 8 will be designed to provide a comprehensive, rigorous, and enriching academic programme that prepares pupils for their future studies at GCSE, in the sixth form, and on into university or the workplace.
Uppingham’s educational philosophy is rooted in its heritage whereby Edward Thring, (Headmaster 1853-87) pioneered the concept of a holistic education. Our approach emphasises a well-rounded education, integrating academic study, music, sports, artistic creativity, performing arts, and wider life-enhancing co-curricular experiences.
Our plan is for the Lower School years to embrace the same philosophy, offering a sporting and co-curricular programme that mirrors the values of the wider school.
The academic curriculum will include English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Classics, Art & Design, Music, Drama, and French taught in our existing classrooms.
These subjects will be supported by both the Learning Resources and Learning Support Departments. Our dedicated Learning Support department helps pupils with barriers to learning throughout their educational journey. Additionally, classroom teachers actively implement inclusive and adaptive teaching practices.
There will also be a PSHE programme, which will include age-appropriate ‘careers and futures’ advice, to help the pupils map out the years ahead.
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LOWER SCHOOL HOUSE
Based on family feedback, the House will be open from 07:30 - 18:00, Monday to Friday. These timings enable those who wish to arrive early to do so - with a continental breakfast available in house - and have an hour of supervised prep in the early evening before the House closes.
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The two Lower School years will be together and form their own House. The facilities in the House will include space for pupils to store belongings, a dedicated tutor room or form area for each year group or class, and indoor and outdoor recreational spaces.
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Our ambition is to create a ‘school within a school’. We are mindful that we need to prepare pupils for ‘senior school’ within an environment which is safe, nurturing and secure, but equally one which also provides them with opportunity to access the wider school around them.
There will be a Head of Lower School, who will oversee the day-to-day running of the House and be the main contact for the parents of the pupils in the House. We will appoint someone who will relish the opportunity of establishing the new Lower School House alongside the pioneering pupils who join us. The appointment process for the staff team will take place in the summer term.
Each child will have a form tutor who will take day-to-day responsibility for their pastoral care. Tutorial time will play an important role in the pupils’ lives, balancing the chance for regular ‘check-in’ opportunities alongside the delivery of PSHE education.
Pastoral and healthcare needs, a key feature of Uppingham’s provision, will be provided by Matron.
All our pastoral staff are in turn supported by the pastoral team led by Mr Karl Wilding (Senior Deputy Head) and Mrs Becky Kay (Assistant Head: Pastoral Care), supported by our medical and healthcare specialists at Woodfield Health Centre.​
STRUCTURE OF THE DAY
HOLISTIC EDUCATION
Sport and Games
There will be a competitive programme of sport on a Wednesday afternoon. Either side of this point in the week, will be an opportunity for another sport training session and an additional PE lesson. We hope the sports programme will include both single-sex and co-ed sports.
Although our new lower school offer will run from Monday to Friday, we will explore what opportunities there are for participating in U13/U12 fixtures and tournaments on Saturday mornings.
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Music and Drama
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We are fortunate to have three music schools and our own theatre with a separate drama studio, and a host of creative staff working within them. The music and drama departments will ensure the lower school pupils can enjoy performing arts. There will be opportunities for all children to participate, with the ambition being that the pupils will work towards performances.
Outdoor Education
An age-appropriate outdoor education programme will form part of the co-curricular activities. We are fortunate to have an arboretum, where we will create a hub for outdoor learning. The staff who will lead on this aspect of the curriculum will build on the expertise they have from initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) activities.
Access to Facilities
The Lower School will have full access to Uppingham’s facilities, including the Science Centre, Leonardo Centre, Sports Centre, School Theatre, and Music Schools. They will also benefit from the school’s co-curricular programme, which will provide opportunities for the pupils to explore various interests and develop new skills.
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Chapel and Assemblies
Within the timetable, we will ensure that the pupils come together in Chapel during the week. The pupils will not join the senior school Chapel but have a specially curated service or assembly, led by the School Chaplain, The Reverend Matt Phillips, supported by other members of the wider school community.
COMMON QUESTIONS
How many places will be available?
Our ambition is for the Lower School House to open with eighteen pupils in each year group.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Families who are interested in our Lower School proposal are warmly invited to come and visit the School for a personal visit or to join us for one of our upcoming Information Mornings:
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Thursday 8 May 2025
Thursday 12 June 2025
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Your visit will include a tour of the school as well as an opportunity to meet current pupils. Our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have on your visit.
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If you would like to commence the admissions process for your child, we encourage you to formally register with the school as soon as possible.
The assessment consists of an online computerised test in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, Maths and English, plus a written Maths assessment and a Creative Writing assessment. This process will take place in the Spring Term.