Rugby School

Rugby School
Rugby School, seen from 'The Close' playing field.
Location
Lawrence Sheriff Street

,
CV22 5EH

England
Coordinates52°22′03″N 1°15′40″W / 52.3675°N 1.2611°W / 52.3675; -1.2611
Information
TypePublic School
Private school
MottoLatin: Orando Laborando
(through work and through prayer)
Religious affiliationChurch of England
Established1567 (1567)
FounderLawrence Sheriff
Sister schoolRugby School Thailand
Rugby School Japan
Rugby School Nigeria
Rugby School Dubai
Department for Education URN125777 Tables
HeadGareth Parker-Jones
GenderCo-educational
Age13 to 18
Enrolment865
Capacity885
Student to teacher ratio7:1
Campus size400-acre (160 ha)
Campus typeSemi-rural
Houses15
Colours  Duck Egg Blue, Oxford Blue, Cambridge Blue
Budget£59,377,000 (2024)
Revenue£54,595,000 (2024)
AffiliationsHMC
The Rugby Group
AlumniOld Rugbeians (ORs)
School songFloreat Rugbeia
PublicationsThe Meteor (Official school-run magazine, since 1867)
The Quod (Pupil-run magazine)
Websitewww.rugbyschool.co.uk

Rugby School is a public school (English private boarding school) for pupils aged 13–18, located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire in England.

Founded in 1567 as a free grammar school for local boys, it is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain. Up to 1667, the school remained in comparative obscurity. Its re-establishment by Thomas Arnold during his time as Headmaster, from 1828 to 1841, was seen as the forerunner of the Victorian public school. It was one of nine schools investigated by the Clarendon Commission of 1864 and later regulated as one of the seven schools included in the Public Schools Act 1868. Originally a boys' school, it became fully co-educational in 1992.

The school's alumni – or "Old Rugbeians" – include a UK prime minister, a French prime minister, several bishops, poets, scientists, writers and soldiers.

Rugby School is the birthplace of rugby football.