Farleigh (16+ boys)

Farleigh marks the northern boundary of the school and is just two minutes walk from the main school buildings. It opened a year after its neighbour, Meadhurst, in 1896, as one of the ‘country houses’ – before Uppingham town extended beyond it.

From September 2026, Farleigh will become our dedicated 16+ boys' house. In September 2025, the house will include three year groups - Upper Fifth, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth.

The house sits in its own private gardens, which include a football pitch and a croquet lawn. 

There are several communal areas throughout the house, which the boys enjoy spending time in to socialise and relax. These include two kitchenettes for preparing drinks and snacks, as well as a very popular games room.

From September 2025, all boys in Farleigh will have their own bedsit. Alongside the 50 boarders, there will also be space to accommodate a small number of day-in-boarding pupils.

Housemaster: James Birch
James has been in charge of Farleigh since 2014, having arrived at Uppingham in 2003 as a History teacher. He quickly became resident tutor in School House before joining Farleigh as senior tutor. James was educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, studied History at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and took his PGCE through Hughes Hall, Cambridge.

James is a multi-talented sportsman. He coaches hockey, basketball and fives. He is master in charge of athletics, and is responsible for the Countryside Sports and Conservation Society. In addition to his teaching, he runs the mediaeval section of the History department, organising feasts, overseas trips and Oxbridge preparation.

James fosters a strong sense of community in the house, with a weekly Housemaster’s Cup for personal or house achievement, and a busy activities programme which raises significant sums for charity each year.

James’s wife, Victoria, was born in South Africa and moved into teaching after training as a lawyer. She currently teaches at a prep school in Lincolnshire. They have two sons, Elias and Tristan.