Joining in Year 12
We welcome 50-60 new students to Rugby School at 16+ (LXX) each year and are pleased you are considering us for your child's next step.
For entry in September 2027, we welcome applications up until Friday 21 August 2026 for Year 10 candidates from international families, and Friday 18 September 2026 for Year 11 candiates from UK families.
Assessments take place on Tuesday 3 November or Thursday 5 November 2026.
16+ Boarding
Applications for boarding places are welcome when your child is in Year 11. Once registered, candidates are then invited to one of our assessment days in November.
Entrance assessments include:
- Academic: English, Maths and a subject of your choice
- Interviews
- Online Cognitive Assessments
Places are awarded on academic merit and co-curricular potential, with offers made in December of Year 11.
For more information please contact Claire Shrimpton, Admissions Officer.
16+ Day
Applications for places are welcome when your child is in Year 11. Once registered, candidates are then invited to one of our assessment days in November.
Entrance assessments include:
- Academic: English, Maths and a subject of your choice
- Interviews
- Online Cognitive Assessments
Places are awarded on academic merit and co-curricular potential, with offers made in December of Year 11.
For more information please contact Claire Shrimpton, Admissions Officer.
16+ Scholarships
Rugby School offers a range of Scholarship Awards, recognising exceptional ability or promise in Academic, Art, Computing, Design and Technology, Performing Arts, Music and Sport. Alongside recognition, Scholarships give access to means-tested bursaries and additional support through our Scholars' Programmes.
Assessments take place in the Advert Term - full details can be found below.
For more information, please contact Claire Shrimpton, Admissions Officer.
Admissions process
We are pleased you are considering Rugby School for your child. These steps are designed to guide you through the admissions process.
The best way to understand Rugby is to experience it for yourself. Whether through an Open Day or a personal tour, a visit gives you a genuine sense of daily life here, meeting students and staff, exploring our facilities, and discovering what it means to belong to a School with a long tradition of educating the whole person.
When you feel Rugby School may be right for your child, the next step is to register. This confirms your interest and lets our Admissions team support and advise you on entry timelines, House preferences, or any individual circumstances that may be relevant.
The 16+ entrance assessment consists of entrance exams in Maths, English and one subject of choice.
The assessment also consists of Verbal Reasoning, Non-verbal Reasoning and one Sixth Form interview.
For both boarding and day entry in Year 12, assessments take place on either Tuesday 3 November or Thursday 5 November 2026.
To read more about the exam subject overview and for details about specimen papers and mark schemes, please see below.
Rugby offers a range of scholarships and awards in recognition of exceptional ability or promise in a range of areas.
Scholarship assessments take place in the Advent term of Year 11.
If you are awarded a scholarship your school fees (including the cost of boarding) may be covered by a means-tested bursary of up to 100%.
Once your place has been accepted, families will receive joining information ahead of the new academic year in September.
Families will receive information on:
- House allocation and introductions to House staff
- Uniform and kit requirements
- Induction events and settling-in arrangements
From the moment a place is confirmed, our pastoral and academic teams work closely with families to ensure a smooth and confident transition. We look forward to getting to know every child and helping them to make the very best start.