Year 7 entry in 2026
Year 7 Academic Scholarships
General Information
1 Eligibility
Eachyearscholarships are awarded to children of exceptional talent joining the School intoYear7, Fourth Form (13+,Year9). Candidates are assessed through test, examination orobservation,interview and reference. Scholarship awards maybe made eitherforevidenceofahigh level of attainment and promise orexceptionalspecialistaptitude.
At Year 7 Uppingham awards scholarships to candidateswho show excellenceinthe followingfields:MusicandAcademic
2 Limitations
Successful candidates should not expect to hold awards in more than one discipline. Candidates are not permitted to sit scholarships in more than two disciplines.
3 Scholarships and Means-tested Fee Assistance
Uppingham is proud of its moral and charitable commitment to widening participation in the School. To do so, we use as much of our funding as we can to enable as many young people as possible to benefit from an Uppingham education. For that reason, non means-tested scholarships would not ordinarily exceed 5% of the fees. Larger scholarship awards are made on the basis of financial need, which means that any scholarship can be supplemented up to 110% of the school fees through a meanstested award. Exceptional awards may be given at the Headmaster’s discretion where the School identifies outstanding potential.
At Uppingham a candidate may only hold one scholarship award at any one time so that they can specialise in their area of talent. This does not preclude them from participating in other areas of school life, however, the rich additional provision of each of our scholarship programmes requires pupils to manage their time judiciously within their field of expertise.
The parents of some would-be scholars may not be in immediate need of financial assistance and such parents may waive their right to emoluments. In such cases, the child’s status as a scholar is not affected, but these emoluments can then be passed to another pupil whose financial need is shown. Parents who waive their rights to emoluments can subsequently reinstate them if their circumstances change.
All candidates must be registered with the School prior to entering the scholarship process.
4 Age Limit
Candidates will normally be under 12 on or close to 1 September 2026. In assessing merit, the ages of candidates will be taken into consideration.
Further information about the Academic Scholarship may be obtained from the Academic Scholars’ Co-ordinator, Dan Addis (dwja@uppingham.co.uk)
Academic Scholarships Summary
What does Uppingham look for in a potential Scholar?
What is involved in the selection process?
Above all, we are looking for a sense of true undirected intellectual curiosity, flexibility of thought and a determination to attain academic excellence. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to probe and interrogate, debate and engage with what they have in front of them.
At 11+, candidates should be able to demonstrate high levels of aptitude and potential across a range of subjects. Our Scholars will also show a high level of resilience when faced with the unknown in the academic field.
Candidates will sit the standard Uppingham entrance papers.
They will then attend a series of workshop-style sessions across several subject areas (STEM & Humanities). Each workshop will culminate in a short test, to which Current Schools will not have access. Candidates will attend all workshops and not make a choice of subject.
In addition, candidates will sit a a language paper, much like an Olympiad. There is no requirement to have studied a specific modern or ancient language for this. The day will culminate in a team activity where they can implement skills learned across the different workshops.
They will also have a general Academic interview conducted by a senior member of staff. This will incorporate discussion on the candidate’s academic interests and values.
Academic Scholarships Summary (continued)
What are the expectations of a Scholar?
Academic Scholarswill be expected to engage activelywith theiracademic studies in the classroom and in theirprivate studytime, alongside participating in co-curricularacademic clubs and societies.Theywill aim to achieve the veryhighest grade in at least eight of theirGCSE subjects, the highest grades inAlevel, and are likelyto be applicants forthe most challenging universitycourses in the UKand globally.
Scholarswill meet regularlywith academic mentors to pursue independent, stretching academicwork; fostering a sense of academic aspiration and allowing forinteraction between the most able pupils of all ages.
Examinations/Interviews:
Late January 2026
Closing date for Applications: 12 December 2025
Year 7 Academic Scholarships Entry in 2026
1 Dates and Arrangements
Scholarships will be held at Uppingham on one day, in late January 2026.
If accommodation is required there are local hotels that are conveniently placed and may have rooms available. There is a comprehensive list on the School’s website under ‘Where to Stay’.
2 Application Procedure
The application form should be completed and returned no later than 12 December 2025. Part A of the application form should be completed by the candidate’s parents/guardians. The form should then be passed to the candidate’s present school. In Part B the Head of the candidate’s present school should provide a character reference. Finally, the whole form should then be forwarded by the Head to the Uppingham School Admissions Department (address at the end of this form).
3 The Assessment
This will be undertaken through:
Formal English, Mathematics and Language tests
• The workshops
• Interview
Languages
All candidates will sit a language learning aptitude test (30 minutes) in which they complete tasks based on an artificially fabricated or extremely rare language. This looks to assess pupils on their ability to ‘reverse-engineer’ the rules behind the language’s syntax by spotting patterns in vocabulary and grammar, given a selection of contextualised examples. They then manipulate these rules and patters to create new sentences or solve puzzles. This will require critical thinking skills, as opposed to rote-learning elements of a specific language, and knowledge of a specific modern or ancient language is not required. No knowledge specific to the modern or ancient language studied at school is needed.
Workshops
Candidates will attend two workshops during their time with us - STEM and Humanities. The workshops will last 45 minutes to 1 hour. The school will use its discretion to create these workshops, which will likely be cross-departmental, and will likely use material that candidates have not seen before.
STEM: the emphasis will be on applying logic and their understanding of scientific principles to novel, challenging situations, rather than recall of facts. All candidates will take part in a practical exercise, either individually or in pairs during the workshop. The candidates are not expected to have encountered the practical context, and full instructions will be given.
Humanities: candidates should expect an element of interdisciplinarity between History, Geography and Philosophy and Theology. The emphasis will be on applying critical thinking and their understanding of geographical, historical, and philosophical principles and themes to novel, challenging situations, rather than recall of facts or content. All candidates will take part in a practical exercise, either individually, in pairs or small groups during the workshop. The candidates are not expected to have encountered the practical context, and full instructions will be given.
Once you have completed Part A of this form, please forward the whole form to the Head of the candidate’s present school for completion and despatch.
Year 7: Academic Scholarships
Application form
Part A - To be completed by parents/guardians
One of the candidate’s parents/guardians must complete this part of the form, and then forward the whole form to the candidate’s present school, leaving plenty of time for the Head of that school to send it to Uppingham.
Parents who wish to bring their financial situation to the attention of the Headmaster of Uppingham are asked to write confidentially to him at least two weeks before the date of the examination.
I wish my son/daughter to be entered as a candidate for the forthcoming Scholarship and I intend that, if successful, he/she will join Uppingham (please delete as applicable).
Candidate’s surname:
Forename(s):
Name by which usually known:
Signature of parent/guardian:
Present Head’s name:
Address:
Home phone:
Work phone:
Mobile:
Email:
Date:
Please give any connection you may have with Uppingham:
Please tell us how you heard about the Scholarship:
Are there any medical or dietary needs which the school should take into account during your child’s stay?
The Head of the candidate’s school should send both Part A and Part B to Uppingham Admissions. Email is preferred but postal applications will be accepted. Applications should arrive no later than 12 December 2025.
Admissions Department
Uppingham School
Uppingham
Rutland LE15 9QE
Telephone: 01572 820613
Email: admissions@uppingham.co.uk
Part B - To be completed by the Head of the candidate’s present school
Candidate’s forename and surname:
Please provide a character reference and general report, including an assessment of the candidate’s academic ability and likely Academic Scholarship performance. Please continue on additional paper if required.
Head’s Signature:
Please print name:........................................................................................Date
Uppingham School Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9QE United Kingdom
Switchboard: +44 (0)1572 822216 Admissions: +44 (0)1572 820611 admissions@uppingham.co.uk www.uppingham.co.uk