Rutland, England’s smallest county, topped the table for the second consecutive year for the proportion of high A‑level grades and finished near the top of regional GCSE rankings, results released this month show.
A staggering 41 percent of A‑level entries in the county were graded A or A*, compared with 28.3 percent across England. On GCSE results day the county finished second regionally, with 31.1 percent of entries graded 7 — the numerical equivalent of an A — or higher, narrowly behind Surrey which recorded 32.6 percent at that threshold.
Education leaders and local officials attributed the results to strong school leadership, a mix of high-performing independent and state provision, and relatively low levels of deprivation. Oakham School, the county town’s dominant independent school, reported 45 percent of combined A‑level and BTEC grades at A or A* this year and a 99 percent pass rate. At GCSE the school said 55 percent of grades were at grade 7 or above and 20 percent were at the highest grade, 9. At Uppingham School more than a quarter of GCSE grades were 9s, and A‑level results included 20 percent A* and 52 percent A or A*.
Catmose College, one of Rutland’s three state secondary schools, has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted and has far fewer pupils eligible for free school meals than the national average — 13.0 percent over the last six years versus 25.7 percent across England for 2024/25. Local officials say that combination of excellent teaching, engaged families and the presence of elite independent schools contributes to the county’s academic performance.
"I would like to congratulate all the children in Rutland on these really good results, which show that hard work pays off," Tim Smith, Rutland County Council’s portfolio holder for children and families, said. He praised headteachers and staff at the county’s schools for their leadership and commitment.
Rutland’s demography and economy are notable factors in the county’s performance. The county covers 151 square miles with a population of about 41,000 and some of the lowest measured levels of deprivation in England. The average house price in Rutland is £336,000, higher than both the East Midlands average of £239,000 and the UK average of £269,000. Life expectancy in the county is also above the national average: 85.4 years for females and 83 years for males.
The county’s prosperity is not uniform: Rutland has the highest council tax in the country, with a Band D bill of £2,608.83 set by the Liberal Democrat‑run county council, and parish precepts push some residents’ bills above £2,700. The cost of private schooling is substantial as well; fees at Uppingham School can reach up to £19,392 per term and up to £18,570 per term at Oakham School.
Residents and business owners cited community cohesion, rural character and ease of access to larger cities as attractions that help sustain the county’s quality of life. Richard Baines, whose family bakery in Uppingham dates to 1867, described the towns as "unspoilt" and said customers know each other by name. Other residents noted Rutland’s commuter links: Oakham’s Grade II‑listed railway station provides direct services to Birmingham and Stansted Airport and connections to London via Peterborough.
The county’s cultural and natural assets also draw visitors and contribute to local identity. Rutland Water, one of the largest man‑made reservoirs in Western Europe, covers four square miles, hosts thousands of waterfowl and is a popular destination for sailing and fishing. Honey‑coloured stone buildings, independent shops and specialist food businesses give towns such as Oakham and Uppingham a market‑town feel likened by some to the Cotswolds.
Rutland preserves several long‑standing local customs. Oakham Castle, an 850‑year‑old hall that is one of England’s oldest continuously used court buildings, displays more than 200 horseshoes given by peers passing through the town — a practice more than 500 years old. The castle hosts occasional court sessions and remains a focal point for civic events, including local weddings.
Not all residents can afford to settle in the county. Charity worker Ruth Taylor, 25, who commutes more than 50 miles from Lincoln for work in Oakham, said she had considered moving but had been priced out. Some families opt for home schooling; local parents and tutors cited a small but noticeable home‑schooling scene that grew during the pandemic and has continued for reasons including pastoral concerns, family lifestyle choices and changes in the independent schooling sector.
The county is also engaged in a political debate over local government reorganisation. Rutland was absorbed into Leicestershire from 1974 until 1997 and was restored as a distinct administrative county. Local MP Alicia Kearns has organized a petition, signed by roughly one‑in‑six residents, urging the government to guarantee Rutland’s status as a ceremonial county and to protect the lord‑lieutenancy if the county council is subsumed in any new arrangements.
A spokesman for Oakham School said the institution was "proud to be part of a strong and collaborative educational community in Rutland, where independent and state schools work together to support young people’s success," and welcomed the celebration of outstanding recent exam results across the county.
As Rutland faces questions about future governance, its combination of high academic attainment, long‑established local traditions and a reputation for safety and community life continues to draw attention. Local leaders and educators say the results reflect years of investment in teaching and school leadership, while residents point to the county’s character and scenery as reasons families and visitors value the area.