The school opened in September 2015 and in March 2025 it retained its Outstanding Ofsted status , having been rated Outstanding by inspectors in January 2017 . What distinguishes Harington is not heritage but purpose:
Located in Oakham at the Catmose Campus, Harington serves approximately 300 students aged 16-19, drawn primarily from Catmose College and Uppingham Community College, with some students travelling from further afield . This is a sixth form college exclusively — no younger pupils, no sprawling site. The student body brings genuine academic ambition, and the school reflects that focus relentlessly.
Over 30% of all grades in 2025 were awarded at A*/A and well over 80% at A*-C , a consistency that places this school among the strongest academic post-16 providers in England. In 2024, 31% of students scored A*-A for their A-level examinations, above the national average of 28%, and the average point score was 39.07, higher than the national average of 38.2 (FindMySchool ranking data).
Harington opened in September 2015 as a free school offering high quality post-16 education within Rutland with a clear academic focus . The school occupies sixteen classrooms, four specialist science labs, music and art facilities and a number of seminar rooms, built over two floors.
The atmosphere is distinctly grown-up. The school is large enough to offer a wide range of curriculum and enrichment activities but small enough to maintain a family ethos where all students are known personally . Walking the corridors, you notice the formality of address, the seriousness of purpose. Students are treated as young adults because they are. Students stay in the same form group with the same teacher across the two years, and the review says this helps them gel quickly — including those joining from beyond the two main feeder schools.
Assemblies and speeches are held in the "Heart Space" atrium , a central gathering space that serves as the physical heart of the school. The school features communal study areas with computers, along with a private study room with individual booths and access to material such as dictionaries, textbooks and subject specifications . This careful provision of study space speaks to the school's understanding of what sixth form students need: focused environments for independent learning.
Oliver Teasel, the Head of School, re-joined the Federation as Head of Harington in May 2022 after serving as Vice Principal and Federation Team Leader for Sport. His leadership has maintained the school's academic rigour while strengthening pastoral structures and deepening enrichment offerings. Staff are uniformly subject specialists — a non-negotiable principle — and turnover is low, suggesting genuine investment in the institution.
The student experience reflects careful design. Pupils feel well supported: they can 'vent when we need to' , according to feedback in published reviews. This is a school where academic pressure coexists with genuine care.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
65.56%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
Over 30% of all grades in 2025 were awarded at A*/A and well over 80% at A*-C, in line with the strong outcomes achieved in 2024 . Breaking this down further, the 2025 cohort achieved 33% of grades at A*-A, compared to the 2024 figure of 31% , showing genuine year-on-year improvement.
Students routinely achieve the very top grades. Five students achieved AAA* and a further thirty-one students achieved the equivalent of AAA or better in 2025. This level of high-end performance, sustained across multiple years, reflects curriculum rigour, expert teaching, and students who arrive already committed to academic excellence.
The strength of performance is consistent across subject areas. The school offers 17 A level courses, the majority of which are facilitating subjects —the qualifications most highly valued by leading universities. The school policy is to offer a core of facilitating A level subjects, courses that are recommended as preparation for degree level study, that will therefore keep as many doors open as possible regarding degree choices.
Students complete either three or four A-levels, with all students choosing at least three A levels, with a smaller number studying four after discussion, with a recommendation to choose at least one (and more often 2, 3 or 4) facilitating subject(s) for real choices about higher education options.
The curriculum spans sciences, humanities, languages, and applied subjects. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Further Mathematics form the scientific core. English Literature, History, Geography, Religious Studies, and French and Spanish represent humanities breadth. Students also select from Art and Design, Business Studies, Economics, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Psychology, and Physical Education. The breadth ensures students can pursue nearly any degree pathway.
Harington aims to provide each student with five hours and ten minutes of lessons per subject per week, twenty five minutes of PHSE including sex and relationship guidance, twenty five minutes of learning skills, one hour of academic enrichment (which focuses on access to university or apprenticeships) and at least one hour and thirty minutes of sporting, musical or cultural activities . This structured timetable ensures no student falls behind and all engage with enrichment activities.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
65.56%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
Harington's leavers consistently secure places at the nation's most competitive universities. The most popular universities amongst Harington students include Durham University, Loughborough University, University of Bath, University of Birmingham, University of Nottingham, University of Sheffield and University of York, with many students joining prestigious courses such as Aerospace Engineering, Law, Mechanical Engineering, Medicine, Philosophy, Politics and Economics and Pharmacy.
Oxbridge remains a realistic target for high-performing candidates. Six students are going on to study medicine or veterinary science in the 2025 cohort alone, and previous years have seen multiple Cambridge and Oxford acceptances. Alice Burton (AAA*) studied Modern and Medieval Languages at Selwyn College, Cambridge, Malachi Gee (AAAA) studied History at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and Victoria Rolley (AAA) studied History at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.
A growing cohort of students now pursue degree-level apprenticeships. Felix Rawlings (ABB) is completing an Aerospace engineering degree level apprenticeship at Airbus, with Greenpower and a careers week providing brilliant opportunities and support for engineering degree level apprenticeships, including workshops with external speakers and work experience with engineering companies.
The school's careers programme is comprehensive. Most students attending the school ultimately apply for a degree or a high quality further education course and are well supported by a comprehensive careers programme which includes specific pathways for specialist careers . This support extends beyond university applications to include guidance on gap years, apprenticeships, and direct employment.
Teaching quality is consistently strong. Every member of the teaching staff holds subject expertise at degree level or beyond; generalist teaching does not occur at Harington. Students benefit from being taught by highly committed, experienced and talented teaching staff who are all subject specialists.
The pedagogical approach emphasises rigorous engagement with subject content. The leadership team has worked to create a culture of excellence, with teachers offering detailed feedback and students taking responsibility for their learning . Feedback is detailed and actionable, grounded in clear assessment frameworks aligned to examination requirements.
Each student receives five hours and ten minutes of lessons per subject per week, as well as sessions on personal development, academic enrichment, and physical, musical, or cultural activities, with personal study sessions and the ability to study in communal areas, quiet study rooms or unused classrooms . This balance of timetabled teaching and independent study time reflects the maturity expected at post-16 level.
Work experience is actively encouraged as part of academic development. The school promotes work experience as part of its curriculum, which includes a variety of work-related activities such as volunteering at nearby care homes, running a student-led business with Young Enterprise, and placements with external employers; students are given the opportunity to run a racing team and design, build and race an electric vehicle as part of the Greenpower Challenge . For students pursuing competitive degree courses — medicine, veterinary science, law — work experience is particularly valued.
Harington's extracurricular provision reflects both breadth and depth, moving well beyond generic offerings to develop genuinely distinctive programmes. The school operates on the principle that academic excellence and cultural engagement are complementary, not competing priorities.
Music holds genuine significance within the school community. Harington School believes strongly in the importance of nurturing a musician through group performance, offering a number of ensembles which rehearse each week, including Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble . Individual instrumental tuition is also available, with lessons taking place during the school day with specialist teachers making it easier to fit around family life.
LAMDA lessons are offered, either on a one-to-one basis or in shared lessons, where students can study a variety of qualifications including Solo Acting, Duologues, Public Speaking or Speaking and Prose, with results being exceptional, with the majority of students achieving a distinction grade.
Students are given the opportunity to run a racing team and design, build and race an electric vehicle as part of the Greenpower Challenge; Harington also offers students extracurricular opportunities including Young Enterprise, Green Power, and DocSoc (run along with nearby Oakham School).
The Greenpower team competes in the Greenpower Challenge, a national competition requiring students to design, build, and race electric vehicles. This project develops engineering skills, teamwork, project management, and innovation — attributes highly valued by engineering schools and employers. Recent iterations have seen Harington teams compete with vehicles named Vector and Scalar, demonstrating both technical competence and creative nomenclature.
Young Enterprise provides students with practical business education. Operating student-led businesses, groups develop entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and commercial awareness. The resulting companies have generated revenue, won competitions, and provided genuine learning experiences extending far beyond classroom content.
DocSoc, run in partnership with neighbouring Oakham School, serves students interested in medicine, veterinary science, and dentistry. Scarlett Holton, studying Veterinary Science at The University of Liverpool, noted that DocSoc (extracurricular medics, vets and dentist support) provided her with the opportunity to learn more about medical science and support her application to study veterinary science.
In October, Year 12 and 13 Further Mathematicians completed the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge, a national competition designed to stretch keen mathematicians and prepare them for study beyond A level . Students regularly progress to subsequent rounds of national mathematics competitions, evidencing genuine mathematical strength beyond the A-level curriculum.
Friday afternoons are generally set aside for sport, with almost everyone expected to join in; a small number taking four A‑levels may be excused, and music is offered as an alternative. . This structured, compulsory element ensures breadth of engagement rather than allowing some students to become purely sedentary.
Outdoor spaces offer activities including pool, table tennis, and table football , providing recreational and competitive options. The school benefits from its location on the Catmose College campus, which provides additional sporting facilities including playing fields and courts.
Student leadership opportunities extend beyond traditional head boy/girl roles. Year 12 student Angus, winner of the Lions Club of Rutland Community Service Award 2025, has volunteered with Ketton Scouts for two years as a Young Leader, giving back to the group he joined at age 6, with his dedication to mentoring and supporting local young people being truly inspiring.
All Year 12 students receive the Duke of Edinburgh's Silver Award , with the Gold award available as an extra-curricular activity . The expedition and personal challenge components develop resilience and self-reliance alongside academic study.
The pastoral structure is designed around known relationships.
. This continuity matters; students develop genuine relationships with form tutors who know their aspirations and can provide targeted support.
The ethos is described as inclusive, with intervention strategies running through pastoral care and progress monitoring, supported by a robust tutor system aims to ensure every student has someone they know well, and EHCP students are supported by key workers overseeing their provision.
Whether interests are in music, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, public speaking or sport, students are well catered for, and most ultimately apply for a degree or a high quality further education course and are well supported.
The school is open to all students who satisfy the entry requirements for admission, including a minimum of a grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language and/or Literature, where students need to meet subject based criteria in each subject they wish to take as an A level, including GCSE 7 or above to study Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology and GCSE 6 or above to study all other subjects.
This is an academically selective institution in practice, if not in formal designation. The entry requirements are stringent by GCSE standards, particularly for facilitating subjects. Students arriving should have demonstrated genuine subject competence and readiness for independent study.
For students in Year 11 looking to apply for 2026 entry the deadline is Monday 9 February , with applications made directly to the school. The school is consistently oversubscribed, reflecting both quality reputation and limited places.
The majority of students are from Oakham, Uppingham, and the surrounding villages , with a proportion of students from the farming community within Rutland . The location on the Catmose Campus provides good accessibility within Rutland, though students from further afield may face journey times.
The school benefits from Oakham's rail connectivity. Oakham railway station is a stop on the Birmingham–Peterborough line, served by two train operating companies with a generally hourly service between Birmingham New Street, Leicester, Peterborough, Cambridge and Stansted Airport, and a small number of morning and evening services to Norwich, Nottingham, Kettering, Melton Mowbray and Peterborough.
The timetable operates on a structured model with lessons, breaks, and independent study sessions woven throughout. The school features communal study areas with computers, along with a private study room with individual booths and access to material such as dictionaries, textbooks and subject specifications , and the school shares its cafeteria with the neighbouring Catmose College, however has its own dining area called "The Orangery".
Students need access to basic uniform items and subject-specific materials, with costs broadly typical for state sixth forms. School lunches are available, with students expected to purchase meals or bring packed lunches.
Entry competition is fierce. The school is governed by the Rutland and District Schools' Federation and consistently receives more applications than places. Securing a place requires strong GCSE results, particularly in core subjects, and demonstrated readiness for rigorous academic study. The school does not carry students who lack intrinsic motivation; the culture assumes genuine engagement.
Genuine independence required. With extended private study periods and expectation of self-directed learning, students must be organised and disciplined. Those requiring constant adult supervision or highly structured environments may find the transition from traditional secondary school significant.
Limited on-site facilities. While the location benefits from partnership with Catmose College, some facilities (sports centre, certain specialist laboratories) are shared rather than exclusively Harington's. Students dependent on school-based activities will need to accept some reliance on neighbouring provision.
Distance may be a barrier. For families outside the immediate Oakham and Uppingham area, journey times to school can be substantial. Rukland is a geographically dispersed county, and not all communities have easy public transport access to the Catmose Campus.
The school retained its Outstanding Ofsted status in March 2025 , a judgment that accurately reflects consistent academic performance and a culture genuinely committed to student achievement. This is not a traditional independent school with heritage, nor is it a sprawling comprehensive with something for everyone. It is a focused, purposeful sixth form college that delivers academic excellence to students ready and eager for rigorous study.
Results speak clearly: over 30% of grades at A*/A, consistent progression to leading universities including Oxbridge, and a growing pipeline into competitive degree-level apprenticeships. The student body is ambitious, the teaching specialist, and the infrastructure purpose-built for post-16 education.
Best suited to: Students who have thrived academically at secondary school and seek an environment where intellectual aspiration is the norm. Families in Rutland seeking high-quality state sixth form provision. Students pursuing competitive university courses, particularly in sciences, engineering, medicine, and law, where A-level rigour and university preparation matter. Those willing to embrace independent learning and comfortable with a supportive but academically uncompromising culture.
The main challenge remains access: places are limited and competition is genuine. Beyond that, Harington represents remarkable value for families seeking ambitious post-16 education without private school fees.
Yes. The school retained its Outstanding Ofsted status in March 2025 , with over 30% of grades awarded at A*/A and well over 80% at A*-C in 2025 . Results place Harington in the top 20% nationally (FindMySchool ranking), with consistent progression to Russell Group universities and multiple Oxbridge places annually.
Harington is a state-funded free school. There are no tuition fees. This is high-quality academic sixth form education funded by government, with no private fees required. Any associated costs (uniform, meals, trips, materials) are minimal and comparable to any state secondary school.
Entry is highly competitive. The school requires a minimum of a grade 4 in GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language and/or Literature, where students need to meet subject-based criteria in each subject they wish to take as an A level, including GCSE 7 or above to study Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology and GCSE 6 or above to study all other subjects . The school is consistently oversubscribed; strong GCSE results, particularly in facilitating subjects, are essential.
The school offers 17 A level courses, the majority of which are facilitating subjects . These include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, English Literature, History, Geography, Religious Studies, French, Spanish, Art and Design, Business Studies, Economics, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Psychology, and Physical Education. The facilitation subjects are those most valued by leading universities.
Students are well supported by a comprehensive careers programme which includes specific pathways for specialist careers . The school provides specific preparation for competitive applications to medicine, veterinary science, law, and engineering. DocSoc supports pre-medical students, and work experience is actively promoted. Students pursuing Oxbridge receive targeted preparation.
Beyond academic enrichment, students can participate in Young Enterprise, Green Power, and DocSoc (run along with nearby Oakham School), and the Duke of Edinburgh award is also offered . Music ensembles include Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble, with individual tuition available. Friday afternoons include compulsory sport or equivalent cultural activity. These opportunities are genuinely integrated into the school week rather than peripheral additions.
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