School News

Can you ever really lockdown an Uppinghamian?

Perhaps the only thing that unites the entire Uppingham community is the lived experience of being a pupil here. Different generations will, of course, have had different versions of school life, under a range of headmasters and teachers, and through more or less challenging socio-economic times. But still, you were all schoolboys and girls once.

When the editorial team came together to discuss content for this issue, a feature was conceived to tell the story of what life is like for current Uppinghamians and, to try and articulate this, we reached out directly to them. We were pleased to receive responses about how important Uppingham is, and how their time here has shaped them as young adults. Responses such as those from our current Captains of School:

The continuous bustle of Uppingham life is what has shaped me over my years here. The extracurricular activities on offer, whether it is the MAD (Making A Difference) programme or taking part in a play, from beekeeping to bridge club, there’s something for everyone to help you to meet people that you may otherwise have never have talked to and make long-lasting friendships.” Zuha Animashaun (J U6th), Captain of School I was a quiet boy when I first arrived and felt incredibly overwhelmed at what the School had to offer. But as time passed, I found my feet and got involved with the many activities on offer, such as helping on the School radio station UppAir, and a variety of sports. I joined the cast in some of the amazing productions in the theatre and even took part in some of the house competitions, like the House Shout, House Challenge, and debating competitions, which really boosted my confidence. My boarding house has been key to my time at Uppingham and I have many great memories of evenings spent playing whole house football on the Farleigh pitch and tense games of ping pong in the games room! Throughout my time at Uppingham, I feel I have gained so much, it has made me who I am today, and I’m sure many others will feel the same.” Hugo Bray (Fgh U6th) Captain of School

Heartening to say the least, but then, at the end of March, as with everything else, the School year changed dramatically. The essence of our boarding school – our sense of united endeavour – was thrown into disarray as pupils were sent home to cities, counties and countries around the globe.

Naturally, we assumed this would mean the tone of this article would shift from a celebration of the fulfilment of formative years to bemoaning the state of the world. We were wrong. Rather than dwell on their physical education being taken away from them, our pupils approached it as a rewarding challenge. Pupils like Marcus van Rest (SH U6th), who writes:

Lockdown provided me an opportunity to help with delivering food and toy parcels to underprivileged families, as well as helping out neighbours with odd jobs, such as mending shed roofs and fixing lawn mowers. The time also allowed me to spend time supporting my local church by adapting their services to be broadcast live. I could even compete with other members of the School swim squad via the online Strava leaderboard.”

And Joseph Hall (SH U5th), who sent in his experience of being a music scholar during lockdown:

Virtual Uppingham was a great insight into the power of technology in education. At first, leaving Uppingham was worrying. As a music scholar, I had been preparing for a music exam that was supposed to be taken the day we left! During our time away it was clear, more than ever, that music is so valued at Uppingham. After just a few weeks into our virtual term it was ‘almost’ like normal. I received online music lessons and recorded myself playing different pieces for various ensembles and choirs which were carefully pieced together and broadcast to the community as fantastic online concerts.”

Finally, Chloe Munro (J L6th) was pleased to share what it means to her to be back at School this term:

“At the start of lockdown, when we thought it would only last a month or two, I was quite excited for Zoom lessons. Not having to worry about uniform or misdemeanours for being late sounded pretty good to me! But I really missed the atmosphere around the School. Being back has meant so much, playing team sports again, seeing my friends, learning in classrooms, coming together in Chapel, and even the smaller things like ordering Domino’s in the House. Being able to live the full Uppingham experience once again.”

What lockdown has reaffirmed is that what is offered at Uppingham isn’t just an academic education. It is a lived experience that instils a set of values and virtues that help Uppinghamians rise to challenges and confront adversity. 2020 may not have been a perfect year but it is reassuring to be reminded that, as an institution, we are contributing to our global resurgence by helping to mould bright, resilient, compassionate leaders who want to make things better for others, and make an impact. Leaders like Marcus, who finished his description by saying:

It is great to be back at school, catching up and seeing my friends – I would never come across so many different characters if it wasn’t for the way we all live together at Uppingham.”

UPPINGHAM FORWARD

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that nothing is to be taken for granted. The disruption that Covid-19 has caused is unprecedented and led to us closing our doors for the first time in over 140 years.

Our response to lockdown was typically Uppinghamian, and can be read about throughout this edition. Thankfully, we were able to reconvene the School in full at the beginning of September, and it has been a pleasure to see corridors and classrooms teeming with life once again.

While we have managed to weather the initial storm, we must now turn our attention to the future, and we anticipate challenging times ahead; from the pandemic, and other unpredictable, potentially existential crises that are yet to reveal themselves.

To ready the School for challenges that lie ahead, the Foundation team have launched the Uppingham Forward Fund – a philanthropyled initiative designed to allow us to support our communities now while preparing, as an institution, for what is to come.

The Forward Fund will:

Enable investment in technology and resources that futureproof us against issues we might face. These could include acts of terrorism and more localised security threats, further health crises, and significant changes in political policy governing independent schools.

Expand our Bursaries Programme to make Uppingham even more accessible and help reduce the growing affordability gap in the Independent School sector. An issue that will be exacerbated by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Add to our inspiring and innovative campus to create a secure environment that further facilitates exceptional learning and pastoral care services.

This September, a segment of the OU community were invited to receive a telephone call from a recent leaver. During the calls, our young OUs were able to share details on the Forward Fund which was very well received. The campaign raised over £90,000 and we are enormously grateful to all those who contributed.

More information about the Forward Fund will be made widely available soon but, in the meantime, if you would like to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact Vincent Gaten, Deputy Foundation Director, at vg2@uppingham.co.uk.