Aysgarth School, one of the UK's top co-educational day and boarding prep schools in North Yorkshire, will be joining the Rugby School Group on July 1, 2025.
Founded in 1877, Aysgarth currently has 220 students between the ages of 3 and 13 and is renowned for its excellent academic regime, superb pastoral care, and exceptional provision in music and sport.
Albeit the merger, Aysgarth will keep its name, identity, uniform, staff, and management team. The school made it clear that the move is not a response to financial hardship, as both schools are facing increasing pupil rolls. Rather, the partnership will see improved quality of education while enabling Aysgarth to preserve its unique character.
Aysgarth has had a long association with Rugby School, with several of its students moving on to Rugby for secondary school. The tie-up will also give Aysgarth students an opportunity to use Rugby's large pool of facilities and resources.
Aysgarth will be the second prep school in the Rugby School Group, after Bilton Grange, which merged in 2020. The group also comprises Rugby School Thailand (2017), Rugby School Japan (2023), and Rugby School Nigeria (opening 2025–2026).
Jonathon Anderson, Aysgarth's headmaster, stated: "We are pleased to be joining the Rugby School Group. The partnership will offer our students access to Rugby's facilities and resources while enabling us to retain our own individuality".
Gareth Parker-Jones, the head of Rugby School, added: "We have had close ties with Aysgarth and are delighted to welcome them into the Rugby School Group. The merger will enable us to exchange best practices and drive improved educational standards between our schools"
