Uppingham offers a rich and diverse co-curricular programme where we encourage pupils to embark on a journey of discovery and growth.
We want our pupils to be inspired to try a diverse range of experiences, to thrive as they cultivate their talents and grow their passions, and to make an impact as innovators and leaders within the School and beyond.
To support pupils on their journey we offer a range of additional paid lessons and opportunities across the co-curricular programme.
This document outlines what we offer in each of those areas as well as the cost associated. Please note that all prices listed exclude VAT.
Music
Music lessons at Uppingham
• There are on average between 400 and 450 one-to-one music lessons scheduled each week, provided by a total of 44 professional musicians who are specially selected and employed by the music department for this purpose.
• Each teacher belongs to one of five faculties within the department (Strings, Keyboard, Singing, Woodwind, Brass & Percussion and Jazz, Pop & Music Technology) and is overseen by a faculty head who ensures a smooth roll-out of these lessons and directs ensembles relevant to their area of specialism.
• Ensembles are free to pupils and ideally every pupil having lessons will play in an ensemble (though we appreciate that this is not expected or possible in all cases)
• The average lesson time allocated to each lesson is 40 minutes, though for more advanced students, and with parental permission, this can be extended to a maximum of 60 minutes if required.
• There are more than 80 performance platforms during the year for pupils to participate in across all levels.
Average cost per instrument per term
A term of ten 40-minute instrumental lessons currently costs £533 + VAT with a maximum of 30 lessons possible in an academic year.
This hourly rate falls within guidelines suggested by the Independent Society of Musicians and The Musicians’ Union and is comparable to other independent secondary schools
Commitment
Withdrawal from music lessons requires 10 weeks’ notice to cancel without further charge.
When can pupils sign up?
Depending on teacher availability, pupils can sign up at any point within the year. We will, however, email all parents at the start of the academic year with a reminder and information on how to sign up. The parental charge across the year will reflect the number of lessons scheduled.
Theatre
LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) lessons at Uppingham
LAMDA lessons are very popular at Uppingham and are offered to all pupils. Our two dedicated LAMDA teachers offer one-to-one lessons in: Acting, Devising, Reading for Performance, Speaking in Public, Speaking Verse and Prose, and Musical Theatre. Many of these disciplines offer a good foundation for life beyond Uppingham and also provide UCAS points (up to 30 for a single LAMDA examined category).
Lessons are given weekly and last 30 minutes, with exams scheduled each term. Pupils are also given the opportunity to perform to an invited audience during termly Lunchbox LAMDA recitals in the Theatre Bar.
Average cost per term
Each lesson costs £27.75 for 30 minutes.
Commitment
Students can choose to take LAMDA lessons at any point but will need to give a term’s notice to cancel without further charge.
When can pupils sign up?
Existing pupils: Pupils can sign up for LAMDA lessons for the next academic year in the second half of the summer term. This means that pupils can start lessons in Week 1 of the new academic year. Parents will be asked for parental consent for any pupil signing up to LAMDA during this time.
New pupils: New pupils will be able to sign up to LAMDA lessons in the first week of the autumn term. Parents will be emailed and asked to provide consent for these lessons and for the cost to be added to their school bill.
Sport
Additional sport lessons at Uppingham
Sports lessons are available to all pupils in the school at various times of the week, including Sundays. Lessons are usually delivered on a one-to-one basis, but they can also be shared with other pupils in order to reduce costs. We offer lessons for beginners all the way through to the elite performer and everything in between! The sports department can provide equipment should this be necessary.
The main aim of these sessions is to develop the skills of our pupils outside of our usual provision. We are fortunate to have a range of highly experienced coaches who currently include:
• Golf - PGA Professional, Michael Farr;
• Tennis - Lewis Rae (LTA Level 3 Coach) or Bobby Brooke (LTA Level 4 Coach);
• Cricket - former First-Class Cricketer, Ian Butcher.
All of our sessions make use of our outstanding facilities and technology which includes the Golfzon Studio and a Merlin bowling machine.
Average cost per option per term
• Golf - £40 per hour or part thereof
• Tennis - £40.88 per hour/lesson
• Cricket - £60 per hour or part thereof
Commitment
Golf: No commitment is required for any session. Lessons can be booked on an ‘as and when’ basis. If lessons are cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice, then pupils will still be charged.
Tennis: Group lessons are booked on a half-termly basis. No commitment is required for any individual session. Lessons can be booked on an ‘as and when’ basis. If lessons are cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice, then pupils will still be charged.
Cricket: No commitment is required for any session. Lessons can be booked on an ‘as and when’ basis. If lessons are cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice, then pupils will still be charged.
When can pupils sign up?
Pupils can sign up to sport specific lessons in first week of the autumn term. Parents will be emailed in the first week with links to these to give consent for their child to have lessons. If however, pupils want to sign up mid-year they can do so by contacting the Director of Sport.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Duke of Edinburgh Award at Uppingham
Duke of Edinburgh is open to any pupil aged 14-24. At Uppingham we support pupils to complete either the Silver and/ or Gold Award. The main differences between the Award levels are the minimum length of time it takes to complete the programme, how challenging it is, and the minimum age you can start. There are four main sections of a DofE programme: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition. For the Gold Award pupils will also complete a Residential section which they need to organise themselves.
• Pupils in the Lower Fifth can complete the Silver D of E Award over two years with their expedition in the Lower Fifth.
• Pupils in the Lower Sixth can complete the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award over two years with their expedition taking place at the end of the summer term in the Lower Sixth.
Cost
The cost of the programme includes sign up to the eDofE platform, expedition costs for the practice and qualifying expeditions. Pupils will need to provide their own equipment for the expedition but the school will support pupils with tents and cooking equipment.
We aim to minimise the cost as best we can and will be reviewing the cost of DofE each year to make this as affordable as possible
Silver Award: Approximately £720
Gold Award: Approximately £1000 and pupils will also have to complete a residential section arranged independently of school.
Commitment
Pupils will need to commit to the programme once they have signed up and paid for the cost of the programme.
When can pupils sign up?
Pupils must sign up in the first week of the autumn term. Lower Sixth pupils must still sign up even if they have already completed a Silver Award with the school. Parents will be notified of their child’s interest and will be asked to consent to their child taking part and the cost of the award.
UppSkill About UppSkill
UppSkill is an Uppingham led skills-based programme utilising external qualified staff where appropriate. This programme offers a diverse range of activities to challenge and encourage personal development including opportunities to take part in adventurous training, survival, target sports, community engagement and coaching.
Cost
In order to cover the cost of external training opportunities, pupils are charged £30 per term.
Commitment
Weekly attendance during UPP&Out.
When can pupils sign up?
Pupils can sign up in the first week of the autumn term.
CCF
The CCF Programme at Uppingham
The CCF Programme is a uniformed volunteering organisation that includes Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Sections. These programmes combine skills-based training in a diverse range of activities to challenge and encourage personal development. These include adventurous training, survival, target sports, community engagement and personal development with a challenging military context.
Membership of the CCF also facilitates competition of the Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award in addition to access to a range of courses such as leadership development to adventurous training, as well as vocational qualifications such as the BTEC L2 in Teamwork and Personal Development or ILM L3 in Leadership and Management.
CCF offers a range of out of school opportunities including field weekends, range days and a summer camp.
Cost
The cost varies depending on the opportunities each pupil chooses.
• All pupils will be charged £30 per term to take part
• Completion of BTEC L2 in Teamwork and Personal Development is fully funded for cadets
• Completion of the ILM in Leadership and Management can be up to £190 (£90 if not enrolled in the BTEC) *based on 2021 figures
• Choice of Adventure Training module over Easter – cost depends on trip location.
• Boots are recharged (circa £30 per pair)
Commitment
Weekly attendance during Upp&Out. Field days, range days and summer camp preferred.
When can pupils sign up?
Pupils can sign up in the first week of the autumn term.
Enrichment extras
Enrichment activities at Uppingham
Enrichment activities run throughout the whole week at Uppingham and are part of the holistic education experience.
Activities range from academic societies to sports clubs to the more niche, including Beekeeping and a thriving Mahjong Club.
Cost
The majority of Enrichment activities on offer are free to pupils and are available for pupils throughout the school.
Where there is a cost, this is made clear before pupils sign up for the activity. At present there is only one activity that includes a cost to pupils.
Fly-fishing: £25 per term
When can pupils sign up?
All pupils are encouraged to attend the Enrichment Fair at the end of the first week of the autumn term (compulsory for Fourth Form and Lower Fifth pupils) and sign up for activities either after discussion with tutors/housemaster/housemistress (Fourth Form) or independently (Lower Fifth to Upper Sixth).
