Rutland, England’s smallest county by population, recorded the highest proportion of top A-level grades for the second consecutive year, official results and local officials said, underscoring a pattern of academic outperformance despite the county’s modest size.
Across the county, 41 percent of A-level entries were graded A or A*, compared with 28.3 percent nationally, Rutland education officials and school spokespeople said. On GCSEs, Rutland pupils were second in regional tables with 31.1 percent of entries graded 7 — the numeric equivalent of an A — or above, narrowly behind neighbouring Surrey, which recorded 32.6 percent.
The county’s results reflect the combined performance of its state and independent schools. Oakham School, a fee-charging independent school in the county town, reported that 45 percent of combined A-level and BTEC grades were at A or A* this year and an overall pass rate of 99 percent. At Uppingham School, another independent school, more than a quarter of GCSE grades were 9s, and more than half of A-level grades were A or A*.
Local state schools also contributed to the high county-wide figures. Catmose College in Oakham, one of Rutland’s three state secondary schools and rated Outstanding by Ofsted, has a low proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals — 13 percent over the last six years compared with an England average of about 25.7 percent in 2024/25 — a metric often associated with lower levels of deprivation.
"Education is clearly flourishing in the county," a spokesman for Oakham School said, adding that independent and state schools in Rutland "work together to support young people's success." Tim Smith, Rutland County Council's portfolio holder for children and families, credited quality teaching and leadership in local schools for the results and congratulated pupils and staff.
Rutland’s high academic performance comes against a backdrop of distinctive demographic and economic features. The county covers 151 square miles, has a population of roughly 41,000 and consistently ranks among areas with the lowest levels of deprivation in England. The average house price in Rutland is about £336,000, compared with £239,000 in the East Midlands and £269,000 across the UK.
Residents and visitors also point to quality-of-life factors. Rutland Water, one of the largest manmade reservoirs in Western Europe, draws waterfowl and recreational users and is a prominent local amenity. The county’s honey-coloured stone high streets, independent shops and a tight-knit social fabric are frequently cited by long-term residents and recent arrivals alike as reasons for choosing to live there. Oakham’s railway station, opened in 1848, provides direct services to Birmingham and Stansted Airport and links to London via Peterborough, making commuting feasible for some.
Rutland’s appeal has an economic counterpoint: it has some of the highest local taxation in the country. The Liberal Democrat-run county council charges a Band D council tax of £2,608.83, excluding parish precepts; when parish levies are included, some residents in Uppingham face bills of about £2,723.94. Those figures are almost £400 above the national average.
The county also has a notable mix of education choices and home-schooling. Local parents and school leaders point to a demand for varied schooling routes. Some families combine independent schooling with home tutoring and online support, and local officials noted a visible home-schooling scene in parts of the county.
Rutland’s cultural and historic features include Oakham Castle, an 850-year-old building that retains a civic and ceremonial role; more than 200 horseshoes presented by visiting peers of the realm are displayed at the site, reflecting a tradition that dates back centuries. The castle has hosted judicial sittings on a periodic basis, and the location remains a popular venue for community events.
The county is also engaged in debates about local governance. Rutland was merged into Leicestershire between 1974 and 1997; it later regained unitary status. Local MPs and campaigners have sought guarantees for ceremonial continuity as the government considers reorganisation proposals that could see Rutland merged with neighbouring authorities. A petition led by the county’s Member of Parliament, Alicia Kearns, requesting protection of Rutland’s ceremonial status and lord lieutenancy was submitted to Parliament earlier this year and drew signatures from about one in six residents.
Local leaders said they wanted safeguards for the county’s identity even as they welcome collaboration with neighbouring authorities on shared services. Rutland County Council said it remains committed to delivering strong local services while engaging with any national proposals for restructuring.
Officials and school representatives framed this year’s exam results as the product of sustained local investment in teaching and leadership, favourable socio-economic conditions relative to many areas of England, and close working relationships between the county’s state and independent sectors. They urged caution in attributing outcomes to any single factor and highlighted ongoing efforts to sustain educational attainment across the county.
Additional reporting: Eleanor Harding.