Thring Scholarships for 13+ Entry in 2026_Uppingham School

Fourth Form (Year 9) entry in 2026

Thring Scholarships

Fourth Form Thring Scholarships General Information 1 Eligibility Each year scholarships are awarded to children of exceptional talent joining the School into the Fourth Form (13+, Year 9) or joining the School at Sixth Form level (16+, Year 12). Candidates are assessed through test, examination or observation, interview and reference. Scholarship awards may be made either for evidence of a high level of attainment and promise or exceptional specialist aptitude.

Uppingham awards scholarships to candidates who show excellence in the following fields: Academic, Art, Design and Technology, Drama, Music, Sport, Textiles and The Thring Award.

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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 Awards and Bursaries 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 14 on or close to 1 September 2026. In assessing merit, the ages of candidates will be taken into consideration.

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Fourth Form Scholarships for entry in September 2026

Thring Scholarships Summary

Further information about the Thring Scholarship may be obtained from the Thring Scholars’ Co-ordinator, Maddie Llewellin (mhl@uppingham.co.uk)

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For the forward thinkers, makers, debaters and creators.

The pioneers who ask why. And why not. For tomorrow’s leaders; not defined by where they have gone. But where they are yet to go.

Edward Thring 1821-1887, Headmaster at Uppingham from 1853-1887, was the best-known headmaster of the mid-Victorian generation. During the 34 years he was at Uppingham he transformed a small grammar school into a widely acclaimed boarding school with an international reputation. He broadened the curriculum in the classroom and built many new facilities, including the first gymnasium and one of the first indoor swimming pools in an English school. He was a first-rate leader of great courage and conviction, and a man who was determined that all pupils achieved their very best in and out of the classroom.

What does Uppingham look for in a potential Scholar?

A Thring Scholar will possess qualities, skills and characteristics that make them stand out from their peers. Underpinned by their passion and ambition for school life, they will bring something special to Uppingham. They will be immediately recognisable as a young person who is both willing and able to take the lead, and in doing so can engage with, and set an outstanding example to those around them. Through the quality of their communication and social skills they will be assured and comfortable in embracing new situations and their demeanour will engender confidence and trust. This breadth of qualities may already be reflected in a position of responsibility that the candidate holds at their current school, or their existing Head may consider that a boy or girl has the clear and definitive potential to become a Thring Scholar.

What is involved in the selection process?

urther details are provided overpage under ‘The F Assessment’. It is important for candidates to realise that the exact nature of the day will purposefully vary from year to year. We wish to meet, engage with and interview candidates that are not in any way over-prepared, but who naturally possess and utilise the qualities, skills and characteristics that we are looking for.

Through meeting the candidates and through their references, we will be keen to hear more about the areas of school life in which they have excelled to date (eg academia, art, drama, music and sport) and the selection process is likely to involve aspects of some of these disciplines in the assessment. However, adaptability and potential for growth will be just as important as ability in positive outcomes.

Fourth Form Scholarships for entry in September 2026

Thring Scholarships Summary continued

What are the expectations of a Scholar?

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ost importantly, a Thring Scholar will make a M positive, decisive and well-recognised contribution to the seven-day-a-week community at Uppingham. This impact, underpinned by strong all-round involvement and the pursuit of excellence, will be seen both in the boarding house and across the school as a whole. A Thring Scholar will be somebody who, in addition to being an outstanding role model and leader to their peers, staff will readily turn to at appropriate times. The Thring Scholars’ programme allows them to share ideas and good practice and extend their understanding of the role through the School. Thring Scholars will benefit from advice, guidance and training, all designed to maximise the positive influence that they can have on the day-to-day life of the School.

Fourth Form Scholarships for entry in September 2026

Fourth Form Thring Scholarships (Year 9) Entry in 2026 Assessment: Wednesday 25 or Friday 27 February 2026 Closing date for Applications: 12 January 2026

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Dates and Arrangements The assessments will take place on Wednesday 25 or Friday 27 February 2026. Candidates only need to attend on one of these days and final arrangements will be made after the closing date for all applications.

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’.

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Application Procedure The application form should be completed and returned no later than 12 January 2026. A parent/guardian should complete Part A of the form, then pass it to the Head of the candidate’s school for completion and dispatch.

Please note that only serious candidates for this award should be nominated by the Head of their present school and that the application form should be sent to Uppingham by the candidate’s school. It is expected that no more than two candidates from any one school will be nominated for this award.

Potential scholars are expected to achieve a strong Common Entrance pass or to perform at an equivalent level in the Common Academic Scholarship Examinations or in Uppingham’s Admissions Tests.

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The Assessment Candidates should expect to be involved in a combination of individual and group tasks (across different aspects of school life) that will assess, in a broad sense: • Ambition • Adaptability • Communication skills • Decisiveness • Mental agility • Passion • Social skills • The ability to lead by example and persuasion • Vision The assessment will include a formal interview with a senior member of the Uppingham staff.

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Fourth Form Scholarships for entry in September 2026

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.

Fourth Form: Thring 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: ................................................................................................................

Address:............................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................. .........................................................................................Postcode: ...............................................................

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? .................................................................................................................................................................................

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Fourth Form Scholarships for entry in September 2026

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 January 2026.

Nicola Valentino Admissions Manager 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 including an assessment of the candidate’s academic ability. Please comment specifically on the candidate’s precise qualities, skills and charcteristics in relation to the criteria of the award. Please continue on additional paper if needed. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................

Head’s Signature:...........................................................................................................................................

Please print name:........................................................................................Date....................................

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Fourth Form Scholarships for entry in September 2026

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

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Uppingham School is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales. Company number 8013826. Registered Charity number 1147280. Registered Office: High Street West, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9QD